Whole school approach to GRT in schools

Here are some tips to remember when working alongside Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) families:

• Ensure reception and office staff are welcoming to families and children and young people and can offer support in filling out forms or paperwork should parents not be literate; help may be needed when filling in admission forms and noting down important contact numbers.
• If individual GRT families would find helpful, provide them with verbal reminders of important events and information.
• Do not assume families have access to the internet for letters, online updates and payments of lunches; ask and offer an alternative if this is an issue.
• Transport options for some GRT families may be limited. Children and young people who live over two miles away from their school or setting can be offered transport which will help to remove barriers of children and young people accessing education and help to improve attendance.  The GRT Service Community Liaison Officers can offer advice and assistance with this.
• Some GRT families may have concerns about coming into the school or setting for parents' evenings for several reasons e.g. poor education history, fear of discrimination, etc.  It would be helpful to consult with GRT parents about what would work best for them so that they have the opportunity to talk about and have an insight into their child's education. 
• Show a genuine interest towards parents when they enrol children and young people at your school or setting - they may not have positive memories of their own educational experience and may be feeling apprehensive.
• Consistently engage families in school and setting activities and invite them personally to events wherever possible.
• Be aware that some GRT parents may be unfamiliar with some processes and protocols.
• A tour of the school or setting is often a useful opportunity to familiarise families with the building and key staff and help them to understand that their child will be kept safe.
• Be clear about attendance and always let families know your policy and the expectations around this. Please be aware of any travel for work purposes the family may have that will involve using the T Code.
• Dates of birth: Some parents may not be certain of their child's DOB. You may need to contact local authorities or a previous school or setting, to gain access to this information. Pressing the parents on this issue may not be beneficial.
• Year groups: Parents may request siblings be placed in class together. If this is not possible, explain clearly why and reassure parents that their children and young people will still be able to spend time together during certain times of the day, like break and lunch times.

The Gypsy Roma Traveller (GRT) service works with schools and settings to support GRT children and young people and their families to support progress, attainment and attendance.

The Traveller Movement has launched a new website supporting GRT families in the UK to navigate the education system. It may be useful to signpost your GRT families to this.

Tips on how to engage with families

• Consider appointing a designated member of staff or GRT champion who focuses on engagement with GRT families. Building up relationships of trust and helping parents to feel included and welcome is key and will require time, cultural awareness, and commitment.
• Communication with parents should be proactive. Sharing policies to demonstrate that they are fair and applied in the same way to all is a good way to involve and reassure parents.
• If parents disagree with parts of the curriculum, uniform rules etc, arrange extra time to talk with them and try to find solutions the same way you would do with any parent.
• Home visits or familiarising parents with special events such as GRT History Month is agreed to be a good way to build trust with GRT families.
• NAHT provides a good practice guide on how to develop positive relationships with GRT families.