Take the GTRSB Schools Pledge to show support for GTRSB students
Numerous reports indicate that students belonging to the Gypsy, Traveller, Roma, Showmen and Boatmen communities experience the poorest academic outcomes of any group. Why not take the GTRSB Schools’ Pledge to help reverse this trend?
Recent research from the Higher Education Policy institute reveals that GRT learners are both the lowest achieving ethnic grouping in the UK education system and the least likely to progress to higher education. It’s a damaging indictment of this community’s sense of not belonging in the current education system.
However today there is a greater focus than ever on addressing this situation. The government announced a dedicated £1m GRT package of support for 150 pilot schools in 2021 and a growing number of universities have signed a GTRSB into Higher Education Pledge indicating their support for creating GTRSB inclusive communities, practices and policies.
Now, there’s the chance for schools to do the same, with a new GTRSB Schools’ Pledge. Taking the pledge is a way of making a public commitment to creating welcoming learning environments in which GTRSB pupils can thrive both academically and personally. There is no cost to signing up to the pledge so why not find out how you can get involved?
If you're interested, a great first step is signing up to Friends, Families and Travellers’ dedicated information session on taking the GTRSB Schools’ Pledge here. The session is being held in GRT History Month on Tuesday 6th June from 4pm – 5pm, online. If you want to find out more you can also contact Emma at Friends, Families and Travellers or call 01273 234 006.
The GTRSB Schools' Pledge asks schools to commit to a number of standards including:
- Monitoring and tracking GTRSB pupil and staff numbers
- Building an inclusive and supportive environment for GTRSB pupils
- Undertaking outreach and engagement with GTRSB communities
- Ensuring all staff and pupils are aware of the support available to GTRSB pupils in the school
- Celebrating and commemorating GTRSB culture and communities
- Providing staff development training to raise awareness of the barriers GTRSB pupils face in education and wider society
- Delivering cultural awareness training
- Appointing a dedicated member of staff as a point of contact for all GTRSB pupils and staff
Participating schools are also asked to share best practice with other GTRSB Pledge Schools and to provide a brief annual update on their progress towards their goals.
If you’re interested in creating the most GTRSB inclusive learning environment possible in your school you can also:
- Download the GTRSB Schools’ Pledge brochure here
- Access our free GRT resource here for practical tips on how to build GRT welcoming and supportive learning environments
To find out more about what SLN is doing to support GRT learners across Sussex, visit our dedicated GRT project page.