September 22, 2025
We spent the weekend holding our breath. The decision had been made in the quiet safety of our living room, but now we had to tell the school. We braced ourselves for a fight. We expected pushback, meetings, phone calls, and maybe even a guilt trip or two.
The Fear of the "System"
It’s strange, isn’t it? Parents are terrified of the school system. We worry about fines for taking kids on holiday during term time; we worry about attendance percentages; we worry about being "difficult." So naturally, we assumed removing Ash completely would be a bureaucratic nightmare.
I sat at my laptop on Monday morning, heart hammering, drafting the email to the Headmaster. I read it ten times. Claire read it ten times. Then, I hit send.
One Email to Freedom
The response didn't come with a summons to the principal's office. It came quickly, professionally, and politely. The Headmaster simply confirmed receipt, said he would instruct the registrations team to process it, and wished us well.
That was it.
No battle. No defense of our decision required. In one click, Ash was no longer a student of the state system. She was just... ours again.
The Morning After
The realization hit us hard: It was that easy? We had spent weeks agonizing over a door that wasn't even locked. Now that we’ve walked through it, the reality is sinking in.
- Immediate Relief: The school run is gone. The uniform is packed away. The dread of 3 PM is gone.
- The "School" Ban: We have vowed not to mention the "S-word" in the house for a while. Ash needs to decompress without the reminder of what she’s left behind.
- Now What?: Because we leaped without looking, we are now scrambling. We didn't have a curriculum ready. We didn't have a plan. We just knew we had to get her out.
So, here we are. Ash is safe at home, and we are turning to the internet, looking for help, support, and a way to build a new life from scratch. If you’re reading this and scared to send that email - don’t be. The freedom on the other side is worth it.
