You can take the campaign to your community.
By leafleting, you’ll be having meaningful conversations and sharing important information with people who might not know about school cuts, inviting them to join our movement for school funding.
Remember — all actions are important and valuable. Find the community that’s right for you to approach, and the ways of communicating that you feel most comfortable with. Do you prefer to send messages online? Or maybe you prefer conversations with friends and family over conversations with strangers? Each conversation you have with someone about the campaign can lead to change.
1. Order print materials
2. Choose your date, time and location
Think about where and when your community gathers, or where there is a lot of foot traffic. Could it be:
- The school gate in the morning or at pick up time?
- A volunteer or recreational group, like a food bank, arts centre or sports club?
- A faith centre, like your local church, mosque or temple?
- On your own street or neighbourhood?
3. Rally your team
Collecting signatures is always more fun when you go out as a team.
You only need two or three people to have a great time out, but the more the merrier – and the more signatures you’ll collect. Get the word out to your networks using local parent groups or listservs, social media or even just by Whatsapping friends.
Once you’ve planned your event and invited your network, you’ll need to follow-up to ensure people attend. Effective follow-ups are all about personal contact. Don’t be afraid to send a quick text or give someone a call.
4. Bring your leaflets and get your signature sheets ready
We’ll have these included in your leaflet and posters packs – but print as many signature sheets as you think you’ll need. Each side of a signature sheet should have enough room for 14 signatures – so you might need to print a few!
5. On the day
Each conversation you have is an opportunity to bring someone into the movement, and a chance to empower others with critical information about school funding. Every person you speak to and every relationship you build is important.
Be sure to take a photo!
The posters and leaflets lend themselves to a great photo opportunity for your school and this campaign. Bring along those who might be new to the campaign: parents, teachers, school staff and pupils to snap a photo while you are campaigning.
What to say
Share why school funding is so important to you, how bad you’ve seen school cuts get in recent years, and what you expect from your MP and Chancellor Rachel Reeves. We’ve shared a template here that you’re welcome to adapt:
Hi there! Do you have a moment?
I just wanted to tell you about the Government’s new school cuts.
These cuts amount to £700 million, and will affect 76% of primary schools and 94% of secondary schools.
That means even less money to address existing problems:
- Crumbling buildings
- Insufficient support for children with SEND
- Cuts to arts, music and sports
- Not enough teachers or resources for each classroom.
(If you are collecting signatures for your open letter)
We want as many MPs as possible to reach out to Chancellor Rachel Reeves and tell her to reverse the new cuts.
We know that school cuts won’t be solved overnight. It might take years.
But we need to know that this Government is committed to restoring school funding.
Would you consider signing on to the open letter to your MP?