What do I call a Traveller, so I don’t cause offence?
It is best to use the umbrella term of ‘Traveller’ and then ask the child or parent/carer what they like to be known as. Some Travellers want to be known as Romany while others prefer Gypsy or Traveller.
Showmen are business people who travel for work and therefore might not want to be known by any other name.
People from Roma communities like to be known as “Roma” and prefer not to be referred to as “Gypsy” or “Traveller.”
New Travellers have made a lifestyle choice and do not have ethnic minority status.
I know there is a Traveller child on roll at my school but the family has told us they’re White British and they haven’t ticked the Traveller options on the form. Does this matter?
This is an ascription issue. Families make choices about ascription for themselves and you can’t change the box they ticked without their consent.
There are ways of supporting them to be more open about their Traveller heritage, however, and sometimes a supportive conversation about ascription in which they can express their doubts and concerns and ask questions can help.
How do I make my school and classroom more inclusive without making the Traveller children feel different and embarrassed?
Don’t just focus on your Traveller children; find opportunities to celebrate everyone’s similarities and differences. Talk about identity and what is important to the child. Include texts about Traveller families in lessons and in the library. Make sure Traveller children are represented on the school council and have a child’s voice.
Is it okay to send letters home to Traveller parents/carers?
Yes, it is. However, remember that some – but by no means all – Traveller parents/carers may have difficulty with reading and writing.
If you want to be extra sure that the Traveller parent/carer knows about the letter, it is a good idea to speak with them. Explain that you have sent a letter home with their child. If the parent/carer is happy, ask them to sign and return it by the given date. This saves any embarrassment on the part of the Traveller parent/carer and you are reassured that the Traveller parent/carer is fully informed about the letter’s content.
Are Traveller children allowed to go on school trips?
This depends entirely on the Traveller parent/carer. Some Traveller parents/carers are happy for their children to go on trips. However, some Traveller parents/carers do not like their children using organised transport and will keep them off school on the day of the trip.
If possible, offer the Traveller parent/carer the opportunity to bring their child to you by car if they would prefer to do this. You might want to consider a similar arrangement for residential trips if Traveller parents/carers have concerns.
Many Traveller parents/carers will not allow their children to go on residential trips but they might be prepared to bring them for a day to join in with their classmates and collect them at night to take them home.
If a Traveller parent/carer does not want to send their child on a school trip, make it clear that the child still needs to attend school.
My primary phase Traveller children do not seem to be reading at home. Why might this be?
Many Traveller children do not come from literacy-rich backgrounds and may not have support with their reading through lack of materials or parent/carer’s literacy.
Try to find time to hear your Traveller children read each day if you believe they do not have the opportunity at home.
What if a Traveller child does not want to do PE?
The initial barrier to taking part in PE for a Traveller child is the arrangements for changing into their PE kit. Traveller people are very private and would not get changed in front of anyone, so it is important to provide a Traveller child the opportunity to change in a private place. If you notice one of your Traveller children always avoids PE, have a chat to them about why they don’t like it. Very often it is something simple and with an easy solution.
In Secondary phase, try to include the sports that Traveller children do outside school in your lessons, so they feel more included. For example, the Bleep Test is very similar to the Boxing Exercise Programme many of the Traveller boys follow. Many Traveller children enjoy fishing and horse riding and a growing number of them love golf and rugby. All these sports can be taken into consideration at GCSE level and count towards their practical mark. Acknowledging participation in these sports, even if they cannot be performed in school, recognises the skills and abilities of Traveller children and encourages participation in organised school sports.
Is it okay to set work for Traveller children to do on a computer at home?
Yes, but like any child in your class, you should first check they have access to a computer and the internet.
Many Traveller children have access to computers, iPads, smartphones etc. but do not have printers at home so always make sure they know how to send their work to you or to the school to be printed.
Any Traveller children who do not have access to computers at home could be encouraged to attend a lunch time or after school homework club or be given paper homework.
Some of my Traveller families don’t want their children to go on to secondary education. Is there any way I can try to change their minds?
Some schools hold events with the GRT&S advisory teacher and a representative from the local secondary school so Traveller parents/carers can ask any questions they would like answered about the school and secondary education. It is a good idea to arrange a visit to the catchment secondary school when Traveller children are in Year 5 so parents/carers can begin to think about what they want to do about transition and what support they need. This can reassure Traveller parents/carers who may have had negative experiences at school themselves.
I am concerned that many of our Traveller students don’t stay in education. Some leave before the end of Year 11 and others don’t go on to college. What can I do about this?
The GRT&S advisory teacher can support secondary schools in various ways to keep Traveller children accessing education and to make sure they know about the options open to them post-16.
Creative approaches to timetabling in Key Stage 4 can help ensure Traveller children continue to attend school, gaining recognised qualifications at the end of Year 11.
Support with transition to college is also available. This is offered on a case-by-case basis, such as a day of work experience a week.
Why is homework an issue for some Traveller children?
Many Traveller children lead very adult lives outside school and are expected to contribute to the family business or help run the home. If there is a large family, sometimes the girls have their own household responsibilities, often including looking after younger siblings.
It is important that schools are aware and can provide alternative solutions for Traveller children to do their homework in the school environment.
Further support
- DCC EDEAS home page
- Sign up to the EDEAS newsletter here: Devon County Council (govdelivery.com)
- Consultancy, training, and workshops: Devon Education Services Shop
Devon Education Services (DES) strives to ensure the accuracy and currency of the information in this document. If errors are reported, we will correct them promptly. However, DES and its employees are not responsible for any loss, damage, or inconvenience resulting from reliance on this content.