Dear Stephen

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 - INFORMATION REQUEST

Your request for information has been considered and the information requested can be found below.

Question

During 2009, the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) claimed that two related campaigns were being conducted.

1. A campaign to vilify Graham Badman, author of a report into home education.

2. A campaign to inundate the DCSF with Freedom of Information requests.

Recent comments by a senior official in the DCSF suggested that these alleged campaigns might have spread to include local authorities.

I would like you to provide me with the following information.

First, please confirm whether or not you have observed these alleged campaigns.

Second, please confirm whether or not you have exchanged any correspondence with the DCSF regarding these alleged campaigns.

Finally, if you have exchanged correspondence with the DCSF on this issue then please provide me with copies of that

Answer

We are unaware of any campaigns about the Badman report and have not had any correspondence with the DCSF on this subject.

If there are any other queries, please don't hesitate to contact me.

If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request please contact the Freedom of Information Officer at Slough Borough Council, Town Hall, Bath Road, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 3UQ, telephone 01753 875070, email [email address].

For further information you can also contact the Information Commissioner at:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF 
Telephone:   01625 545 700
www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

However if you wish to complain about this response the Commissioner would usually expect you to have exhausted the Council complaints procedure before contacting them.

Yours sincerely

Paul Brotherton

Strategic Information Manager

Education and Children's Services