The central paragraph is self-contained so it can be lifted and used in discussions with children in local groups, for instance, or on the children's pages.

Education Otherwise is a single-issue organisation, an umbrella group to support families of children who want to be home educated. There are many reasons for home educating, and many ways of doing it. We support each other in educating in whatever style suits a particular child: legally, parents must be able to show that for this particular child at this time, the education they are providing is suitable. We do not support the removal of children from school against their wishes, or for reasons of racism or homophobia, or in order to segregate them from the community. We do not support keeping a child at home without offering them alternative educational experience. But we interpret education widely, as any experience which offers the child greater understanding and knowledge of, and compassion for, themselves, other human beings and the world around them, and the means to express their experience. The paramount concern of Education Otherwise is the welfare of each child. We actively resist discrimination on any grounds.

When we tried to list these grounds - race, gender, class, disability, sexual orientation, educational style... we kept finding more and more labels. Eventually we realised that the list could be as long as the number of people involved, and we came up with the following statement:

Equality

Everyone is equal, but everyone is different in some ways; and this variety is exciting and enriching. Some differences make life harder, for instance if we can't walk or we can't think very well. But as well as all having difficulties, we also each have individual gifts which other people may not have. Whatever our differences, we can all be fun and interesting and a good friend, unless we've been so badly treated that we're too miserable or angry - and then we have a responsibility to deal with this pain, so we don't take it out on each other. If someone is too unhappy to be friendly because they have been badly treated, we may help them become a friend by being friendly to them.

It is important to refuse to tolerate sexist, racist etc language, jokes and behaviour, both to avoid giving offence and to train ourselves out of the prejudices we grew up with. We do not discuss religion or politics in the newsletter; or in EO Gatherings except with mutual consent. EO is not a forum for making judgments about other people's lifestyles and lawful choices. However, we do not support people who, on religious, political or idiosyncratic grounds, believe they have an inherent right to dominate children. EO does not exist to help people oppress children. We refuse to condone bullying between any members of the organisation, whether children or adults. It is never acceptable to put other people down, whether by intimidation and bullying, by sexual or other harassment, by sarcasm, or by any other lack of respect. (AW 1999)