Children missing education

All children, regardless of their circumstances, are entitled to an efficient, full-time education which is suitable to their age, ability, aptitude and any special educational needs they may have.

Who are children missing education?

Children missing education are children of compulsory school age who are not registered pupils at a school and are not receiving suitable education otherwise than at a school.

Most children start school full-time in the September that follows their fourth birthday. Children stay in school until the last Friday of June in the school year they turn sixteen.

When they are not attending school or receiving a suitable education otherwise, they become children missing education.

Children are missing from education if they are school age but not:

• on a school register/roll
• in alterative provision
• being suitably educated at home

Children who are registered at a school but are not attending regularly may require additional support, Learn more about what this support might look like on the attendance page.

Why are children missing education?

There are many reasons why a child may be missing education such as:

• they don’t start school when they reach school age
• they don’t move to secondary school when they finish primary school
• the family need to move house or become homeless

Children missing education are at risk of:

• underachieving
• being victims of harm, exploitation or radicalisation
• becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training) later in life.

How can you help?

Effective information sharing is critical to ensuring that all children of compulsory school age are safe and receiving suitable education.

If you know or suspect a child is missing education, please contact us.

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 01274 438877

What we will do with this information?

Local authorities have a duty under section 436A of the Education Act 1996 to make arrangements to establish the identities of children in their area who are not registered pupils at a school and are not receiving suitable education otherwise.

We will take prompt action to establish whether the child is receiving a suitable education. Those children identified as not receiving suitable education will be supported to return to full time education.

The Education Access Team can offer support to children and young people if they live within the Bradford district and don’t have a school place and aren’t receiving a suitable education otherwise.

Other useful contacts

Council switchboard: 01274 432111

School admissions: 01274 439200

School travel assistance team: 01274 439450