| How can teachers create inclusive classrooms for traveller children? |
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Research taster
Children from traveller communities can find it difficult to settle into new schools. Some of the main barriers they face to integration include lack of understanding and awareness of pupil needs of by staff and poor pupil attendance.  Teachers play an important role in creating inclusive environments for new pupils and addressing their learning requirements.
Your evidence
When a new pupil joins a class it is important for the teacher to get to know that pupil, especially when, like travellers they are coming from a different culture. You may find it beneficial to gain a better understanding of your new pupil by presenting opportunities where the pupil can communicate about him or herself. This could be in the form of writing, drawing or talking, for example. Discussions about friends, experiences, family or about favourite books or T.V. characters can also be revealing. It can also be helpful to find out about the culture, language and lifestyle of the particular traveller community that the pupil comes from.
Moving forward
The information that you have gained can provide a valuable profile of the specific and unique characteristics of a new pupil. In what way could this information be used to inform your teaching of this pupil? Would other colleagues benefit from sharing in this information?  Find out moreYou can find out more about the barriers traveller children face in schools at: http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/research/themes/Ethnicity/gypsytravellers/ Find out more about successful multi-ethnic schools at: http://www.gtce.org.uk/research/romtopics/rom_inclusion/difference1/ |
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