HomeSchooler.org.uk

Reminders for today;

*Please add details to the Database if you contact an MP or get a reply.
*Please add details to Admin Database if you can help out.
*Please add suggestions to the Idea's File.
*Please sign the Petition - rejecting the Badman Report

http://petitions.number10.gov.ukEHEreview/

Suggestions of people to contact;

* Unison / Unions.
* Dr Bernard Trafford
* Private Eye
* Radical media publications.
* Liberty

Ideas that have been discussed;

* Using posters in cars, on Community Centre notice boards, talking to PTA
members, postmen, milkmen, church leaders to spread our concerns to parents in
general.

* Chloe is organising her 'HE-ART' project, which was suggested earlier to
collect art work from HE families showing why they love HE. Plan to set up
Exhibition or deliver to No. 10. ( HELP NEEDED )

* Anna is linking with people who can help design some Postcards we can use.

* dawniy is asking people to send their 'home-ed hands' as .jpeg or .gif files
to her at

http://handsup4homeed.blogspot.com/

(they will be sent to Badman & Balls)

* Adele has volunteered to work on a draft letter we can send to LA's - Home Ed
Dept's outlining the problems from our perspective and THEIRS - Higher costs,
increased workload, increased liability, etc.

Topics of Discussion Today

- Badman's references to German/Nazi Laws and links to NU-Labour's plans.

- the response of the USA's 'Home School Legal Defense Association' who are very
concerned about the UK's response to The Badman Report and it's wider
implications.

- will Private School pupils have to register if it is made compulsory?
Are they counted in the figures of 'unknown children'?

- That awful Daily Mail article - comments still being added, complaints made to
PCC, People are researching the story in the article about Mary & Daniel due to
suspicions that A. it isn't true and B. They were NOT home educators (if it is a
true story). The PCC want any evidence that can help our complaints.

- The Pledges on Facebook and Pledgebank - should they be linked and is it a
good or bad idea to emply a PR/Lobbying firm with the money raised?

- Ann Newstead passed on a message from Jonas Himmelstrand in Sweden. A new law
has just been suggested there, which will ban HE for those refering to
philosophical or religious reasons, according to the european convention on
human rights. The review on this will close on Sept. 25th. (He is asking for
help/suggestions).

- We are starting to get replies to our E-mails and letters to MP's;

* Conservatives are issuing a standard response to many of us.
* Meetings with MP's have been positive as we have given them a greater
understanding of HE and our objections to Badman's recommendations.
* Ed 'glitter' Balls' office sent one saying they wanted to support Home
Educators while taking the education & safety of HE children seriously (!)

- thanks to everyone for another day of debate and idea's,