I’m a mum of 12 – I am pulling three of my kids out of school, I don’t care if people say it’s wrong

THE parents of one of Scotland’s biggest families have revealed they are set to pull three of their 12 children out of school.

Zoe and Ben Sullivan say the education system is “broken” following cuts to teacher and support staff roles.

They told how twins Leah and Erin, eight, have been struggling in class so have decided the time is right for home schooling.

Their sister, Agnes, six, is also likely to be taken out of class permanently over the next few weeks.

And while brother Toby, 11, is getting to stay on for the time being, the couple are also considering removing him as well.

Zoe, 45, of Burghead, Moray, admitted she is braced for a backlash after revealing the couple’s decision online.

She said: “I know there will be plenty of people that will say you are making the wrong decision, you shouldn’t be doing that.

“There’s probably going to be people that try and phone social services on us, and all the rest of the stuff. But whatever.

“We have made the decision for various reasons. But mostly because I don’t want to see my children unhappy any more.”

We told in 2022 how Zoe took just 20 minutes to give birth to her 12 children.

Her and Ben’s kids range in age from two to 19.

They say some of their offspring have thrived in school while others have hit challenges.

But they told followers on social media that they have seen a big change in the twins’ behaviour over the past few months.

The couple blame what has been happening in class, but stressed they were not bashing teachers.

Zoe said: “Unfortunately with all the changes in the school system in the last 15 years, things have changed immensely.

“Budget cuts, staff cuts, support cuts.

“Cut after cut after cut. It just leaves an already struggling system at breaking point.

“We are putting our children into that every day.

“We have spoken, we have complained, but at the end of the day we have to think of them first.”

The couple revealed they’ve spent months researching home schooling and are confident the youngsters will not suffer.

They plan to take them out on trips every day as well as teaching them how to read and write.

Ben, 49, added: “This is definitely the right decision.

“We have got many plans for the future. There are so many resources available.

“I am not worried at all.”