GYPSY, ROMA & TRAVELLER SUPPORT
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Support
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Support
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children and young people are vulnerable to experiencing bullying in schools, have lower levels of attainment and are among those most likely to be excluded from school. Many young people feel that their culture and way of life is not recognised within the education system. To address the underrepresentation of people from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities in higher education, providers must remove barriers that could cause gaps in attainment.
An asylum seeker (or asylum applicant) is a person who has applied for recognition as a refugee under the Refugee Convention, to which over 140 nations are signatories (UNHCR, 2020).
Only 3-4%
of Traveller, Gypsy or Roma (GRT) students are estimated to proceed to higher education, compared to 43% of their peers.
The numbers are thought to be getting worse rather than better, although this is difficult to measure given so many GRT students conceal their identities for fear of racism. Another barrier is cultural. Some GRT pupils’ parents experienced patchy schooling themselves, and don’t always value education or struggle to support their children with schoolwork.
Support and Resources Offered
Support and Resources Offered
King’s College London, in collaboration with Rural Media, have developed a series of videos that give a wider perspective of several Gypsies and Travellers in higher education.
King’s commissioned a report about the underrepresentation GRT students face in higher education, which assessed the barriers these students experience and made several recommendations.
This includes encouraging parents and pupils to identify their GRT status and offering reassurance that this will not result in discrimination, as well as acknowledging the additional supported required for home-educated pupils.
Below are examples of ways in which providers can support these groups of students:
1.
Tackle racism and discrimination
2.
Improve data on race and ethnicity
3.
Provide information, advice, guidance and outreach activities
4.
Support home education
5.
Provide staff training
6.
Review the curriculum
7.
Enable distance learning
8.
Take the GTRSB into Higher Education Pledge
Take the GTRSB into Higher Education Pledge
Schools and providers should take this pledge to help create an open and welcoming environment for students and potential students from Gypsy, Traveller, Roma, Showmen and Boater (GTRSB) communities.
Additional resources to support Gypsy, Roma and traveller students
Additional resources to support Gypsy, Roma and traveller students
Lisa Smith didn’t feel satisfied that schools were doing enough for their Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils in her role as a Teaching Assistant.
She has gone on to study a Masters in Inclusive Education and is now the Chair of the Advisory Council for the Education of Romany and other Travellers. Lisa is also the youth editor and programme manager for youth journalism at Traveller’s Times.
Members of the Travelling Community including TCD social work graduate Kathleen, Trinity Access Foundation Course student Michael and TU Dublin student Annemarie speak about barriers to third-level education they have faced and supports and resources they received from their colleges which helped them overcome them.
The Department for Education have identified several schools showing successful practice in improving the attainment and attendance of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils.
Friends, Families and Travellers organisation offer support to individuals and communities nationally.
Gypsy Roma & Traveller students in Further and Higher Education article in Career Matters June 2021.
If you have any questions or want advice you can get in touch.
If you have any questions or want advice you can get in touch.