Education for Travellers

Aiming High

Raising the achievement of Gypsy Traveller pupils.

A guide to good practice. The most recent advice re Education of Gypsy Travellers from the DfES

1. Introduction

Aiming High Raising the achievement of Gypsy Traveller pupils is the responsibility of everyone within the education system and a significant measure of the effectiveness of policies to combat educational and social exclusion

Racism, discrimination, myths and stereotyping are serious barriers to the inclusion of Traveller children

One fifth of the non-housed Gypsy Traveller population have no secure place to stay and are moving between unauthorised encampments. Living in housing is not seen as a goal for many families

2. Schools can Raise the Achievement of Gypsy Traveller Pupils by Addressing these Key Factors

The experience of racism and social exclusion
Teacher knowledge and expectations
Parental education and aspirations
Interrupted educational experience

Through:

Informed leadership and an ethos of respect
Training, which raises expectations and enhances all staffs’ knowledge and understanding
Culturally relevant and affirming curriculum
Induction programme for newly arrived pupils
Raising the profile of race equality in the school
Providing equal educational opportunities
Involving Traveller parents and the wider community

Promoting continuity of learning

Ensuring continuity of school e.g. school transport
Access to the curriculum without undue interruption
School-based distance learning

3. Lifting Barriers to Inclusion - Widening Participation

National Strategies

Sure Start
Pre-school and Early years Education
Promoting learning through play
National Curriculum programmes of study
Citizenship – opportunity for all pupils to learn about Gypsy Traveller history, culture, languages and life-style
Primary Strategies for Literacy and Numeracy
Key Stage 3 National Strategy
Recent reforms to vocational education at KS4
Proposals for changes to the KS4 curriculum
Connexions Service

Race Equality

Romany Gypsies and Travellers of Irish Heritage are recognised ethnic groups under the Race Relations Act 1976. The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, which was introduced in response to the identification of ‘institutional racism’ in the Stephen Lawrence Report, gives public bodies, including schools, a statutory duty to promote race equality

The Act is a powerful tool to raise the achievement of Gypsy Traveller pupils

The Traveller Education Support Service

Specialist TES staff to work with schools, Governing Bodies and other agencies to promote educational approaches, which are positively inclusive of Gypsy Traveller experiences and lifestyle.

National Funding

The Vulnerable Children Grant
The Children's Fund

4. Next Steps

The Department is committed to ensuring that there is real equality of opportunity and the highest possible standards for all pupils in all schools. Gypsy Traveller pupils must be seen as an integral part of all schools and LEAs policies and programmes

Use this guidance to develop strategies
Undertake a planned impact assessment of all policies
Ensure mechanisms in place to monitor the impact
Ensure the National Curriculum subjects positively reflect Gypsy Traveller history, culture, language and life-style
Have a written Action Plan
Ensure Gypsy Traveller pupils are included in the Education Development Plan Department for Education and skills July 2003

For copies of the full document

0845 6022260

Quote Ref: DfES / 0443/2003

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