The number of children in Scotland whose parents educate them at home has risen in the last year.

The number of children in Scotland whose parents educate them at home has risen in the last year.

In total, 579 children now receive their education outwith school after being withdrawn from local authority schools - a rise of 3%.

A further 177 have never been enrolled at local authority schools, an increase of 27% on the previous year's figure.

Alison Preuss, from the Schoolhouse Home Education Association, a charity which represents parents who choose to educate their children at home, said more Scots than ever were considering the option, especially since the Scottish Government published new guidelines on the matter earlier this year.

"Home educating is alive and thriving in Scotland," she said. "The number of parents speaking to us about it is steadily increasing, as are the number of networking and activity groups.

"Being educated outwith school works for many young people. Some parents have issues with a particular school not fitting their child's needs, while others decide from the outset that learning at home is the best option."

Ms Preuss added: "Since the guidelines were introduced at the beginning of the year, both parents and councils are more aware of their rights and responsibilities, and parents are receiving decisions on whether they are allowed to educate their children at home more quickly."

A further 932 children receive education at home from their local authority, due to ill health or family illness.

The latest government figures also revealed the number of pupils receiving publicly funded school education is projected to decrease steadily from 692,000 in 2007 to 658,000 in 2014, then rise until peaking at 675,000 in 2022.