HomeSchooler.org.uk

Copied from the Badman Review Action Group, with thanks.

1) Write to your MP

2) Visit your MP

# Don't do one or the other, do both, and that will underline the seriousness of
your intent. When you see your MP, leave them with something on paper; perhaps
something of your own, but it need not be if you're not good at writing or
haven't the time (goodness knows, we've all been forced to waste a lot of time
we should have been spending on other things, not least our children's
education). There are plenty of good things from various websites you could
print out and leave with your MP.

# Close your conversation with them, if they are in sympathy, by asking them to
DO something: vote against it if/when it reaches the Commons, tell their
colleagues, write to Ed Balls, initiate some delaying tactic – anything, but
he/she is your elected representative, and it's action you want, not just
sympathy.

When you have contacted them, please enter the details on
badmanreviewactiongroup@yahoogroups.com in the database section, so that we can
keep track of how many MPs have been contacted and their response.

3) Add your own comments to the Lord Lucas blog (and be cheered by reading the
comments already posted)

http://lordlucas.blogspot.com:80/2009/06/home-education-good-man-badman....

4) Contact Ed Balls direct

dcsf.ministers@...

5) Sign the petition

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/EHEreview/

6) Complete the HE National Survey

http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=ck0wQ25ZZnQ3QWtVNV.....

7) Here's a survey for your children to complete (closes 30th June)

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=7FN02SW4ktRkEvwLtk0BWg_3d_3d

8) Respond to the Badman Review itself

http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/consultations/index.cfm?action=consultationDetail...

This is open until October, so we've no need to rush. This will be our last shot
speaking directly to the enemy, so consider carefully what you say and how you
say it. The first question is tricky; it's one of those `Have you stopped
beating your wife?' type questions; it pits the parents rights against the
children's rights as if they were in opposition. There are probably several
different approaches that could be taken in answering it, so think carefully
before you rush in.

Please, don't take offence if the following sounds patronising, it's really not
intended to be, but with emotions running high, remember: always be polite,
don't vilify; we're trying to out-think our opponents, not vent our spleen;
rational argument counts for more when dealing with politicians than emotion
does. Check, and then double-check, your spelling and grammar: we'll hand cheap
points to our opponents if we claim to be the guardians of our children's
education and show ourselves up.