this makes me so sad. as parents, we expect to have a partnership with a school - with the parents, the child, the teachers and the administration all taking a role. you're clearly doing your bit, your wonderful kid is doing (or more than!) hers, and it's rotten when a school decides their part is simply slinging mud.

this is a total hot button issue for me, so i won't say anything more here or give any advice, but i do have all the empathy in the world for you, Tortuga. all the best!

Every Sunday it brooded and lay on the floor. Inconveniently close to the drawing-room door.