Greening who was previously international development secretary will head up the new, expanded department which will now also be responsible for higher education and skills, previously handled by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Alongside her new role as education secretary, Greening will take on the role of minister for women and equalities, replacing former cabinet member Nicky Morgan, who has been relegated to the backbenches.
Greening has been MP for Putney since the 2005 general election and was previously appointed economic secretary to the Treasury in May 2010, before becoming Secretary of State for Transport in 2011 and then in 2012 replacing Patrick McLoughlin to become Secretary of State for International Development.
UPDATE: It has also been announced that Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt will remain in his role under Theresa May.