Education

(From the ‘Fought Not Taught‘ report by The Traveller Movement in November 2024.)

Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller people have the lowest attainment of all ethnic groups across all key stages.

• At primary school only 18% of Romani (Gypsy)/Roma and 21% of Irish Traveller children achieved the expected standard of development in comparison with 65% of all ethnic groups.*

• At GCSE level, the figures show that in the summer of 2023 only 16% of Romani (Gypsy)/Roma and 31% of Irish Traveller attained GCSEs in English and maths at grade 4 or above – which the DfE describes as a ‘standard pass’ – the lowest percentage of all ethnic groups.*

• Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Travellers were also the least likely to continue in education past GCSE level.

*Gypsies and travellers: educational outcomes, House of Commons Library, (2024)

This low attainment goes hand-in-hand with the high levels of exclusions, elective home schooling, and absenteeism amongst Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller children. As was concluded in the Timpson Review of School Exclusions, certain characteristics leave children at a higher risk of being excluded but that the risk is greatest when an individual has overlapping risk factors such as ethnicity and SEND. The overlapping inequalities faced by children from these communities coupled with discriminatory attitudes leave Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller children at a greater risk of poor experiences within the education system.

Although the low attainment rate of these communities has improved over the years, it remains a considerable issue but there are some positive facts to note…

Here at Cognus, we promote an inclusive approach where there are ‘No limits on learning’. The Traveller Education Service strives to improve outcomes for Gypsy, Roma & Traveller children in education and change these statistics.

Below you will find research, reports and resources to help you change the educational experiences and outcomes for this community.

IMPROVING OUTCOMES FOR GYPSY, ROMA AND TRAVELLER CHILDREN IN EDUCATION

Friends, Families and Travellers released a briefing in November 2023 on the ‘Education inequalities facing Gypsies, Roma and Travellers in England‘.

The briefing explores the inequalities and barriers pupils from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller backgrounds face within teaching environments and beyond, and provides recommendations to improve educational outcomes across the communities.

Some of the key issues highlighted include:

• Significant student drop-off rates through secondary education.
• Lack of inclusive teaching environments to acknowledge and celebrate Gypsy, Traveller and Roma cultures and histories.
• High levels of bullying and discrimination experienced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children.
• Digital exclusion presenting barriers to learning, where there is limited access to devices or sufficient parental digital literacy to assist with home learning.
• Insufficient support and mechanisms for travelling families to access and maintain education.

This briefing seeks to improve understanding of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people’s experiences of education, and offers guidance on how it can be improved so that everyone can access suitable education.

The Traveller Movement produced reports outlining good practice in the education of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) school children. It interviews schools, provides case studies, and includes an overview of the findings from Traveller Movement’s three year education and advocacy project.

They have also developed an Education Information & Support Website.

Its aim is to support Gypsy, Roma and Traveller families in the UK to navigate education and support schools to improve education experiences for GRT children.  

“Without a shadow of a doubt much more needs to be done to improve the attainment and educational outcomes for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils in the UK. As highlighted by Department for Education, GRT pupils have the poorest educational outcomes of all ethnic groups. As this research succinctly demonstrates, improvements to Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupil attainment requires time, flexibility, financial and social investment, and a commitment to equality and inclusion.”

BULLYING OF GYPSY, ROMA AND TRAVELLER CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE

In 2020, The Traveller Movement released ‘Barriers in Education‘, a study of young Travellers in London. Their research found that 40% of people interviewed left school due to bullying by other pupils, while 67% of people were bullied by teachers!   

They also created this short video about the experiences of Travellers in school – based on findings from a survey they led.

The Anti-Bullying Alliance worked with Friends, Families and Travellers to listen to the experiences of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people and share recommendations and resources to help protect them from bullying.