Quality first teaching for Gypsy, Roma, Traveller and Showman children
The 2012 House of Commons report, ‘Tackling inequalities faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities’ stated that there is no lack of aspiration from Gypsy and Traveller parents for their children, but, for some, formal education is not seen as a part of those aspirations. This means that it is too easy for the education system to write off the potential of Gypsy and Traveller children, enabling prejudice to continue. The ability to access high-quality education sets the course for the future success of every young person. In the case of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children, a poor start in education may be the catalyst for many other inequalities.
Gypsy and Traveller children leave school at a much earlier age than children in other ethnic groups, they have the lowest educational attainment standards than any other ethnic group in the UK, from early-years onwardsand only a handful are recorded as attending university in any given year. In addition, levels of both temporary and permanent exclusions are high and almost half of Gypsy/Roma children are classed as persistent non-attenders. After key stage 4 (usually aged 16), a quarter of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children go into neither education nor employment.
What does good practice look like in schools?
- Schools make extra effort in building relationships and welcoming the parents of the GRTS children.
- Schools accommodate parents with low literacy skills.
- Schools are aware of topics that GRTS parents might be sensitive about and willing to discuss those with them e.g., RSE.
- Schools use open, inclusive, and transparent language when communicating with families.
- Schools include Gypsy, Roma and Traveller history and culture in their curriculum, including how European Roma and Sinti people were targets of the Holocaust.
- Schools celebrate Traveller History Month in June.
- Have books and resources that represent GRTS communities through positive narratives.
- Schools should liaise with parents to overcome any barriers digital systems might present, offering alternative methods of engagement.
- Teacher CPD on Gypsy, Roma and Traveller cultures and histories, to help promote and embed a better understanding of the communities, which in turn helps to promote an inclusive learning environment.
- Schools should explicitly name Gypsies, Roma, and Travellers in their anti-bullying policies, and ensure there is zero tolerance of bullying and racism towards Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller children.
- Provide Equality Duty training for all staff ensuring they understand GRT ethnicity is a protected characteristic, and that discrimination and abuse are offences.
- Schools should sign up to the ‘Pledge for Schools’ which commits schools to creating a warm, welcoming, inclusive, and celebratory environment for Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Boater and Showmen children.
GTRSB Pledge for Schools | Buckinghamshire New University (bucks.ac.uk)
How to engage with parents
Some GRTS parents have very limited and often negative school experiences and therefore children’s physical and moral safety, and practical skills can be more important to them than academic achievement. To help cross this barrier some of these strategies could be put in place:
- Make parents feel included and welcome is a key and will require time, cultural awareness, and commitment.
- Communication with parents should be proactive, if schools only contact parents to complain or deliver negative news, parents will most likely become harder to reach.
- Sharing policies to demonstrate that they are fair and applied in the same way to all pupil groups is a good way to involve and reassure parents.
- Organising sessions for parents where they can support each other and get tips on how to help with children’s homework.
- If parents disagree with parts of the curriculum, uniform rules etc. the school needs to arrange extra time to talk with them and try to find solutions the same way they would do with any parent.
For more information:
Tackling inequalities for Gypsy and Traveller communities – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)