Angus Council is pressing yet again for a major rethink after the Scottish Executive substantially redrafted extensive guidance on the relationship between authorities and parents who take their children out of school.

The council concedes that the Executive has made an “honourable” attempt to promote a healthier partnership after its first draft was heavily criticised. “It fails to succeed in the (admittedly impossible) task of making any real sense of that legislative position,” Angus says.

It says a “mishmash” of conflicting legislation does little to clarify the duties of authorities. Some parents have to gain the consent of councils educate but others do not.

“This is a huge area of difficulty for education authorities,” Angus points out.