| Traveller Policy |
| OFSTED survey (1999) of four minority ethnic groups, identified Gypsy Travellers as the group most vulnerable to underachievement in the education system. |
The Learning Trust recognises that:
Travellers of Irish Heritage and Gypsy Roma are recognised as racial groups under the Race Relations Acts and are resolved to fully implement in policy and practise the duties they outline.
The Learning Trust also assumes the same duty of care to all its Traveller communities which in the Borough of Hackney include Travellers of Irish heritage, English and European Romanies, New Travellers and Circus and Fairground families;
Gypsies and Travellers have a long history of social and educational exclusion;
Sarah Spencer, CRE deputy chair described them as suffering, 'the last remaining acceptable form of racism' and families are vulnerable to direct and institutional racism.
It fully endorses the implementation of 'Aiming High: Raising the Achievement of Gypsy Traveller Pupils' which has recommended status by the DFES and will promote it across all its schools; It supports the CRE in its Strategy for Gypsy and Travellers 2004 - 2007.
Since 2003 Travellers of Irish heritage and Gypsy Roma have been included among the Ethnic Categories in the PLASC as WIRT and WROM respectively. Due to their experiences of social exclusion and racism, many families choose to self ascribe in terms of Nationality rather than Race. The Learning Trust by valuing Culture and Diversity encourages families to access the provision to which Gypsies and Travellers are entitled.
The majority of Hackney Gypsy Travellers live in various forms of housing across the borough and most schools have small numbers on roll. There is also a large official site at Waterden Crescent (20 places) and a smaller one at Abbey Close (6 places). In addition a number of families live on unauthorised camps, and Hackney has a policy of considering their educational and social needs and avoiding unnecessary evictions. The Learning Trust makes assessments of the educational needs of families and makes school placements where possible. Few families are nomadic for economic reasons but levels of mobility can be high among housed families for accommodation and social reasons. The Learning Trust seeks through a network of all its departments to provide a framework of support for the Borough's Traveller communities.
Traveller pupils are covered by the Vulnerable Children's Grant. The learning Trust targets specific support via its Traveller Education Service.
This is a team of advisory teachers who monitor and support the access, inclusion, achievement and opportunities of Travellers within all phases of the education system. They provide families with advice and information to help them become independent users of the education system. The Service provides advice and collaborative teaching support to schools to help them include Gypsy Travellers and promote their achievement. It networks with other statutory and non statutory agencies. The Service contributes to policy development and training delivery at school and authority leve |
| |
0208 820 7000