Chris Derbyshire, Partnership Manager at the University of Sussex
This month we’re meeting Chris Derbyshire to find out more about his work with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller learners. Chris is the Partnership Manager in the Widening Participation team at the University of Sussex.
Tell us about your role
I work with our Partner Schools to develop and deliver a programme of events across the academic year, promoting opportunities for learners less well represented in Higher Education; our partners are identified by drawing upon a matrix of socio, economic and cultural data. However, we also work specifically with 7 schools who have a proportionally high intake of learners from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller-heritage communities, additionally working in partnership with Local Authorities and a range of external organisations and providers who might best serve these schools. In my role I represent the university within multiple forums and educational initiatives, seeking, promoting, and supporting best practice. Internally, at the university, I work with academics and Professional Services raising awareness and support for the programmes we offer.
How did your work with Gypsy, Roma Traveller (GRT) communities come about?
A number of years ago I attended a conference outlining the experience of Roma learners, predominately eastern European and Spanish Roma learners which inspired me to see how the university could do more. I spoke to a colleague about what we could productively achieve from what we’d learnt. We looked at the data and discovered there were a number of schools in the Wealden area with a higher proportion of Traveller-heritage that weren’t represented in our schools work so we then went to those schools and discussed how we could proactively work with them and our programme developed from there.
How does the programme work
Most importantly, it’s a flexible and collaborative programme. Its collaborative approach is its absolute strength. In its early stages, which was highly supported by SLN, the programme was about establishing networks of good practice allowing the university to work with communities to develop and support teachers and learners. However, as we developed our understanding, and with continued funding from the SLN, we were able to approach local authorities to work collaboratively to develop programmes that brought additionality to their services.
Our current programme works closely with Friends, Families and Travellers, a leading national charity working to end racism and discrimination against Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people and to protect the right to pursue a nomadic way of life. Together we have developed a sustainable five-year programme to support six secondary and two primary schools in Sussex. We seek to provide resources, and support attainment, student voice, CPD for staff, raise the profile of the positive work going on in the schools and improve communication with community groups. The primary schools also have a focus on an engaged reader programme which is about reading books for pleasure rather than been assessed on them.
We work across the university seeking opportunities to include academic departments in the programme. We have developed co-created projects with university students, staff and the Traveller communities we are working with. For example, our School of Law students are supporting a local Traveller site understanding how law might have values for the community, countering the often-perceived negative impact. Another example is a range of literature projects work with our Media, Arts and Humanities colleagues, exploring the value of literacy as a life skill rather than an academic skill.
What are the plans for the future
We recognise the importance of continuing to ensure our university culture is inclusive for GRT learners. Data suggests that only 4% of Traveller heritage learners go to higher education, this is the lowest progression route of any underrepresented group in higher education. We have signed up to a national pledge to support the inclusion of Gypsies, Travellers, Roma, Showmen and Boaters (GTRSB) students in higher education and last year we secured the education-focused Race Equality Charter mark to advance race equality, with the aim of improving the representation, experiences, progression and success of staff and students from racially minoritised ethnic groups. Both initiatives demonstrate our obligation to creating a welcoming environment and conditions at Sussex in which GTRSB students can thrive academically and personally. We are also keen to support the professional and personal development of staff who self-identify as GRTSB.
Where can schools and colleges get information to support GTRSB learners
Friends Families and Travellers are a great source to access resources, including information about GRT History Month, inclusion of GRT histories in the school curriculum, awareness training for schools and much more. It can all be found here.
Please ensure your school celebrates GRT History Month in June and continues to reflect the rich value that the Traveller communities bring to our society throughout the year. There is a wealth of information available. If schools or colleges would like more information, they are welcome to get in touch with me directly by email at C.J.Derbyshire@sussex.ac.uk
To find out more about the SLN’s work with GRT learners see our webpage here. Download our GRT resource leaflet here. Read our interview with University of Sussex graduate of Romani Gypsy heritage here.
For more information on the SLN’s work with GRT learners contact Debra Vice-Holt d.vice-holt@sussexlearningnetwork.org.uk
The picture accompanying this article is a Gypsy cob- horse sculpture, commissioned by The National Trust ‘Changing Chalk’ programme, created by local Romani blacksmith Jake Bowers. It is stabled outside the Jubilee Building at the University of Sussex reimaging the use of this land by Travellers, long before the university existed.