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Children Education and Families Directorate, PO Box 118, Grays RM17 6GF

Telephone: Grays Thurrock (01375) 652652

Fax: (01375) 652792 - Minicom: (01375) 652516

Our ref: LD/FOI 1590

Date: 25 January 2010

Enquiries to: Linda Dutton

Direct dial: 01375 652242

Email: ldutton@thurrock.gov.uk

Dear Mr Gregory

Re: Freedom of Information request number 1590

Thank you for your request for the following information:

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

correspondence.

The information below has been supplied in response to your request for the

above mentioned information. We hope the information supplied satisfies your original request.

1)We received five requests for information which could be seen to be part of an alleged campaign to vilify Graham Badman and his report on Home Education.

2)We have not exchanged any correspondence with the DCSF on this matter.

If you are unhappy with the Council's response you can make a complaint via the

Council's complaints procedures and this will be looked into. If you are not happy with

this decision you may then appeal to the Information Commissioner.

Information supplied in response to your request is the copyright of Thurrock Council.

The information has been supplied for your personal use. Except for permitted acts

under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, the information supplied may not

be copied, distributed, published, or exploited for commercial purposes or financial gain

without the explicit written consent of Thurrock Council.

Yours faithfully

Linda Dutton

Freedom of Information Coordinator

Telephone (01375) 652242

Macro FOI.Supplied.letter