Gypsy Roma and Traveller (GRT) Achievement and Inclusion
How Can the Equality Diversity Inclusion Team Help?
GRT Awareness Training
Raising Awareness of Gypsy Roma and Irish Traveller Communities E-learning Module
Recommended Research Documents
Case Studies
Useful Links and Support Groups
Contact Us

Research shows children and young people whose ethnicity is declared as Gypsy, Roma or Traveller (GRT) are the most at risk in the education system.

“Gypsy, Roma and Traveller [communities] have poorer health, worse educational outcomes and a higher level of infant mortality compared with many other groups. They also face high levels of hostility and discrimination, with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children particularly vulnerable to bullying in school."

House of Commons Select Committee 2016 - Tackling Inequalities Faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Communities - Report Summary.

Pupils from Gypsy or Roma backgrounds and those from a Traveller of Irish heritage background:

• had the lowest attainment of all ethnic groups throughout their school years
• were most likely to be excluded
• were most likely to be absent
• were less likely to stay in education after the age of 16 than pupils in any other ethnic group.

The Equality Diversity Inclusion Team (EDIT) incorporates The Virtual School for Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller pupils. The team provide advice, guidance, and training to help raise the achievement and inclusion of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children and young people.

The support to settings, schools, colleges, and professionals working with children and young people includes:

• developing whole staff awareness of GRT culture, history, and traditions
• increasing language and ethnicity declarations
• introducing strategies to overcome barriers to education for GRT pupils and their families
• advise on parental and community engagement
• sharing resources and modelling lessons that can be incorporated into a GRT inclusive curriculum
• working alongside staff to engage parents in the life of the school
• provide 1-1 or small group support to engage pupils in their learning
• supporting schools to celebrate Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller History Month (GRTHM)
• GRT inclusive workshops
• GRT - awareness raising assemblies
• promoting the effective use of data to identify any underperformance and evaluate effectiveness of support strategies
• building confidence of staff and pupils to challenge racism and discrimination
• putting the ‘World back into World Book Day’ using GRT oral stories, and books.

GRT Awareness Training is available bespoke to schools, as part of an EDIT Core Support Package or via CPD Online.

• GRT Inclusion – Raising Awareness of GRT History and Culture
• Improving the Outcomes of Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller Pupils
• Engaging Gypsy Roma and Irish Travellers in Secondary Schools
• Addressing GRT Attendance Issues.

• Improving the outcomes for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils:Final Report
• Moving forward together: Raising Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Achievement Booklet 1: Introduction
• Moving forward together: Raising Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Achievement Booklet 2: Leadership and Management
• Moving forward together: Raising Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Achievement Booklet 3: Learning and Teaching
• Moving forward together: Raising Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Achievement Booklet 4: Engagement with Parents, Carers and the Wider Community
• Support for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller LGBT+ People and Their Families

• Traveller Attainment in a Secondary School 
• Holistic impact of GRT support in a Rural Primary School 

You can get in touch with us using our designated contact page - contact EDIT here!