What EMISS is and why it matters to you

EMISS stands for the Electronic Management Information System for Schools. It is a database that schools in England use to record information about students — including attendance, behavior, grades, and sometimes financial or welfare details. If you have a child in school or work in education, EMISS data may affect decisions about support programs, school funding, or how your child's progress is tracked.

The system is managed by the Department for Education and used by state schools, academies, and some independent schools. Understanding what EMISS records and who can see that information helps you know what data exists about your family and how it might be used.

Key Takeaways

  • EMISS is a national database where schools record student attendance, behavior, grades, and sometimes family circumstances or financial information.
  • Schools use EMISS data to report to the government and to identify students who may need extra support or funding.
  • You have the right to ask your child's school what information they hold about your family in EMISS and how they use it.
  • EMISS records can affect whether your child is flagged for support services, and they may be shared with local authorities or other agencies if there are safeguarding concerns.
  • Data protection law limits how schools can use and share EMISS information, and you can request to see or correct records.

What information schools record in EMISS

Schools record different types of information depending on the student's age and circumstances. Core data includes name, date of birth, address, attendance records, and enrollment status. Schools also log grades, test results, and behavioral incidents.

Some schools also record information about free school meals, special educational needs, language spoken at home, and ethnicity. If a student receives support from social services or has a child protection plan, that information may be flagged in EMISS as well. The specific data collected varies by school and by what the local authority or government asks schools to report.

Not all information in a school's internal systems goes into EMISS — schools keep some records separately. But EMISS is the main channel through which schools report student data to the Department for Education and to local authorities.

How schools and government agencies use EMISS data

Schools use EMISS to track student progress, identify attendance problems, and spot students who may need additional help — such as those at risk of not finishing school or those with unmet learning needs. The data helps schools plan staffing and resources.

Local authorities use EMISS data to monitor school performance, identify gaps in provision, and track students who may be at risk of harm or exploitation. The Department for Education uses aggregated EMISS data (combined across many schools, not linked to individual names) to measure school performance, plan education funding, and report to Parliament.

In safeguarding situations — if a school has concerns about a child's welfare — EMISS records may be shared with children's services or the police. Schools are required by law to report certain concerns, and EMISS data can support those reports.

Your rights to see and correct EMISS records

You have the right to ask your child's school what information they hold about your family and how they use it. This is called a subject access request under data protection law. You can ask the school to show you what data they have recorded in EMISS or their own systems.

Schools must respond within 30 calendar days. If you believe information is wrong — for example, if attendance records are inaccurate or if a behavioral incident was recorded incorrectly — you can ask the school to correct it. Schools should investigate and update records if the information is genuinely wrong.

If a school refuses to correct information you believe is inaccurate, you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), which oversees data protection in the UK. The ICO can investigate and order corrections if it finds the school was wrong.

When EMISS data is shared with other agencies

Schools share EMISS data with local authorities as part of routine reporting. Local authorities need this data to plan services and monitor school performance. Some data is also shared with the Department for Education and with Ofsted (the school inspection body).

In addition, schools may share EMISS data with other agencies if there is a safeguarding concern — for example, with children's services if there are signs a child may be at risk of harm, or with the police if a crime is suspected. These shares happen without asking parents first because the law requires schools to report certain concerns.

Schools can also share data with services that support students — such as educational psychology services, speech and language therapy, or youth offending teams — if those services are helping the student. Usually the school will tell you if they are sharing data this way, but you can always ask.

How to request information about what your school records

Contact your child's school directly and ask to speak with the data protection officer or the school office. Tell them you want to make a subject access request under the Data Protection Act 2018. You can do this in writing (email or letter) or in person.

Be specific about what you want to see — for example, "all records about my child in EMISS" or "all attendance and behavior records for the past year." The school should give you a copy within 30 days. There is no charge for this request.

If the school delays or refuses, you can complain to the ICO. You can also contact your local authority's data protection team or your child's school's governing body if you have concerns about how data is being used.

What happens to EMISS data after a student leaves school

Schools keep EMISS records for a set period after a student leaves — usually until the student turns 25, though this varies by local authority and by the type of record. After that time, records are usually deleted or anonymized.

If a student moves to another school, EMISS data can be transferred to the new school so that the new school has a complete picture of the student's history. You can ask the school not to transfer certain information, though schools may need to transfer safeguarding-related data regardless.

Some EMISS data is kept longer if it relates to a safeguarding concern or if the student has a special educational needs plan. In those cases, records may be kept until the student is older.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stop my child's school from recording information about my family in EMISS?

No — schools are required by law to record certain information, such as attendance and grades. However, you can ask the school not to record optional information (such as ethnicity or language spoken at home) if you have concerns about how it will be used. The school must consider your request, though they may still record the information if they believe it is necessary for safeguarding or support.

Will EMISS data affect my child's chances of getting into a secondary school or college?

EMISS data itself is not shared with other schools or colleges for admissions purposes. However, schools may write references or reports that include information from EMISS records. You can ask to see any reference before it is sent, and you can ask the school to correct factual errors in it.

What if I think information in EMISS is wrong?

Contact the school and ask them to correct it. Explain why you believe the information is inaccurate — for example, if an attendance record is wrong or if a behavioral incident was misrecorded. The school should investigate and update the record if you are right. If they refuse, you can complain to the ICO.

Can I see my child's EMISS record before they turn 18?

Yes. You have the right to request information about your child while they are under 18. Once your child turns 18, they can request their own records. If your child is mature enough to understand, schools may ask for their consent before sharing records with you.

Who at the school can I contact about EMISS and data protection?

Ask to speak with the school's data protection officer or the school office. If the school does not have a dedicated data protection officer, ask for the person responsible for handling data requests. You can also contact your local authority's data protection team or the school's governing body if you have concerns.