School Attendance

'Children missing in education' (CME) 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.

CME includes children who:

• are in the process of applying for a school place
• have been offered a school place for a future date but have not yet started
• are receiving elective home education (EHE) that has been assessed as unsuitable
• have been recorded as CME for an extended period, for example where their whereabouts is unclear or unknown

CME are not children who:

• are receiving suitable education otherwise than at a school (for example, pupils who are electively home educated or attending alternative provision) which is suitable to the child’s age, ability, aptitude and any special educational needs they may have
• are EHE but the local authority has not had an opportunity to assess whether the education being provided is suitable
• are registered at a school, even if they are persistently or severely absent from that school