Danielle Mason has revealed she is taking her 14-year-old son Rudy out of school after saying she was receiving daily calls from teachers about his behaviour. The former My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding star, who is also the sister of EastEnders actress Jessie Wallace, said her son has struggled to fit into the traditional school system and is now expected to learn practical trade skills alongside his father instead.
Danielle Mason Says School Has Not Worked for Her Son
Danielle Mason said her son Rudy is now on his third school and that the usual classroom system has not been the right fit for him. She explained that both of her children have ADHD and special educational needs, which she believes have not always been properly supported.
Mason said she has tried to raise her children with school as part of their upbringing, but feels the current system has not worked well for Rudy.
She also said Rudy is half Traveller and claimed schools often do not understand enough about Traveller heritage, culture, and the support needed for children from that background.
Her comments have sparked debate because many parents understand the stress of repeated school calls, while others believe removing a child from school can create new challenges if there is no strong education plan in place.
She Plans to De-Register Rudy
Mason said she has a meeting with the school to de-register Rudy. In the UK, de-registering usually means formally removing a child from school so they can be educated outside the normal school setting.
She said she had become embarrassed and frustrated by regular calls from the school about Rudy’s behaviour.
The decision appears to be based on both behaviour concerns and Mason’s belief that school is not suitable for every child.
She said she now feels happier about the choice and believes Rudy may do better outside a classroom environment.
For many families, this kind of decision is not simple. It can bring relief from daily school conflict, but it also puts major responsibility on parents to make sure the child continues learning.
Rudy Is Learning Trade Skills With His Father
Mason said Rudy is now spending time with his father, Tony Giles, learning practical skills such as landscaping and brickwork.
For some young people, hands-on learning can feel more natural than sitting in a classroom all day. Trade skills can build confidence, discipline, and real-world experience.
However, education experts usually stress that practical learning should still be balanced with core subjects such as English, maths, communication, and basic qualifications.
A child who struggles in school may still need structure, support, routine, and specialist help, especially if ADHD or other learning needs are involved.
The best outcome is usually not simply removing school, but finding a learning path that gives the child confidence and future options.
Single Parenting Has Been Difficult
Mason has raised Rudy and his younger sister Delilah as a single mother since splitting from Tony Giles in 2016.
She admitted that managing behaviour as a single parent can be difficult. She said people often argue parents should teach manners, but keeping on top of behaviour all the time can be hard when parenting alone.
That comment has divided readers. Some sympathised with the pressure of raising children alone, especially when special educational needs are involved.
Others argued that schools cannot be expected to manage behaviour without strong boundaries and support at home.
The situation highlights how complicated school behaviour issues can become when family stress, special needs, cultural identity, and classroom expectations all overlap.
Why Traveller Education Support Is Part of the Debate
Mason’s comments also brought Traveller education support into the discussion. Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children have historically faced barriers in education, including discrimination, lower attendance, cultural misunderstanding, and lack of tailored support.
Some families feel schools do not properly understand their heritage or lifestyle. Some schools, meanwhile, may struggle to balance cultural sensitivity with attendance, behaviour expectations, and academic standards.
Mason said she believes schools do not offer enough support for Traveller children and do not know enough about the culture.
That point has made the story bigger than one family. It raises questions about how schools support children who may not fit easily into a standard classroom model.
Why the Story Has Sparked Strong Reactions
The story has sparked strong reactions because education is an emotional topic. Parents, teachers, and readers often have very different views on what should happen when a child repeatedly struggles at school.
Some people believe Mason is making the right decision by choosing a path that better suits her son.
Others worry that taking a 14-year-old out of school because of behaviour complaints may avoid the problem rather than solve it.
Teachers also face pressure in these situations. Repeated behaviour concerns can affect other students, classroom safety, and staff workload.
Parents, meanwhile, may feel judged, overwhelmed, or unsupported when schools call constantly.
That tension is why the story has become so widely discussed.
Key Takeaways
- Danielle Mason says she is taking her 14-year-old son Rudy out of school.
- She said she was receiving daily calls from teachers about his behaviour.
- Rudy has ADHD and is reportedly on his third school.
- Mason said both her children have special educational needs and Traveller heritage.
- She believes schools do not offer enough support for Traveller children or children with SEN.
- Rudy is now spending time with his father learning landscaping and brickwork.
- The decision has sparked debate about parenting, school support, behaviour, and alternative education.
Danielle Mason’s decision shows how difficult education can become when a child does not fit the standard school system, but it also raises an important question: what support should families and schools provide before a child reaches the point of leaving altogether?