Traveller Education Service

    Statement
    ‘Gypsy Travellers are the group most at risk in the education system. Although most make a reasonably promising start in the primary school, by the time they reach secondary level their generally low attainment is a matter of concern.’ (OFSTED Raising the attainment of minority ethnic pupils. 1999)

    The Service
    The Waltham Forest Traveller Education Service (TES) is based within the School Improvement Team (SIT) and consists of one advisory teacher, and one Romani speaking Community outreach and Development worker. We work to assist schools to fulfil their responsibilities for the education of Traveller pupils.

    Waltham Forest TES belongs to a consortium of 7London LAs to share information and develop good practice.

    Our Objectives are:

    • To ensure that Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils gain access to their legal entitlement to an education that meets their needs.
    • To promote the inclusion and achievement of  Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils.
    • To enable Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils and families to become independent users of the education system.

    Waltham Forest Traveller Education Service works with the following groups of Travellers:

    • Gypsies and other Travellers
    • Roma
    • New Travellers
    • Circus and fairground families
    • Families who live on the waterways

    In Waltham Forest most families are either English Gypsies, Irish Travellers and a significant and growing number of European Roma. Travellers may be living on the official site, unauthorised camps, homeless hostels and housing.

    Travellers have a cultural identity based on a nomadic tradition but nowadays they may or may not travel.

    We support outreach to families of Roma pupils and provide support/teaching strategies at Stage 3 of English development for those pupils who are failing to make educational progress. Language needs should be met within the School’s EMAG resources.

    How Do We Work :

    We organise our work to maintain flexibility in order to respond to the educational needs of the Traveller communities in Waltham Forest.We aim to respond promptly to referrals relating to attendance and the need for support with home school liaison.

    Criteria for prioritising support to families, pupils and schools:

    • Access to early years provision.
    • Children out of school and mobile families.
    • Induction for newly arrived pupils.
    • Early intervention to promote achievement.
    • Transition from KS2 to KS3.
    • Inclusion and retention at the secondary phase.
    • Access to appropriate curriculum opportunities at KS4.
    • Training, careers and Further Education.

    Range of services offered to families, pupils and schools

    • Support to families with children out of school.
    • Support families and schools with admissions procedures, interviews and induction.
    • Outreach work between home and school.
    • Support parental understanding of the education system.
    • Support parental involvement in their children’s education.
    • Translation of key documents into Romani
    • Support for attendance.
    • Supporting and developing best practice that promotes inclusion and achievement.
    • Training
    • Monitoring.
    • Early years inclusion.
    • 1st language assessments.
    • Support for SEN entitlement and assessment.
    • Support to prevent exclusions.
    • Targeted teaching interventions individuals/groups.
    • Access to extra curricular activities.
    • Key Stage transfer.
    • Mentoring at KS3 and KS4.
    • Advice on options at KS4.

    The Team

    Peter Norton: Advisory teacher for Traveller Education
    Brian Foster: Cross Borough Co-ordinator

    The Traveller Education Service will be pleased to offer you any advice you may need.