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

A child reaches compulsory school age on or after their fifth birthday. If they turn 5 between 1 January and 31 March, then they are of compulsory school age on 31 March. If they turn 5 between 1 April and 31 August, then they are of compulsory school age on 31 August. If they turn 5 between 1 September and 31 December, then they are of compulsory school age on 31 December. A child continues to be of compulsory school age until the last Friday of June in the school year that they reach 16.