Ministers are set to crack down on truancy and beef up the powers of education watchdogs as part of new legislation.
Under the plans, which will form part of the Queen's Speech on Tuesday, England's schools will be required to publish an attendance policy and there will be compulsory registers for children who are not in classrooms so the authorities can identify who is not receiving a full-time education.
The measures will ensure pupils benefit from "every possible hour in the classroom", Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said education was "at the very heart of this Government's agenda".
