Welcome to our annual GRT History Month newsletter!
This year, the national theme for Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month is 'Onwards with Hope', with a focus on the aspirations and dreams of present and future Gypsy, Roma, Traveller and Showman, and the future we want to build together. You will be able to read more about the national celebrations throughout June at Friends, Families & Travellers and Travellers Times. |
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In our newsletter this year we have some fantastic examples from different West Sussex schools, where Traveller culture is being celebrated and supported in a range of new and interesting ways. School colleagues are working closely with children, families and leading voices from the Traveller community, as well as our own Traveller Education Support (TES) team, to really understand and elevate Gypsy, Roma, Traveller and Showman pupils.
(Picture above - the Romani flag, proudly displayed alongside many others in the atrium at The Littlehampton Academy)
Features in our newsletter this year include:
- Two exciting national art and literacy projects at Chidham Primary
- Innovative new ways of involving Traveller parents at Shipley Primary
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Learning about law with visiting university students at The Weald Secondary
- Our latest TES Book Club, with children at Loxwood Primary
We are also delighted to share our new, detailed Inclusive Gypsy, Roma, Traveller & Showman Book List, which we hope you will find a valuable resource. Read below more for information.
If you want to find out more about anything included in this year's newsletter, or to share examples of great practice supporting Travellers at your school, please do contact the team tes@westsussex.gov.uk
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Chidham Parochial Primary School were recently visited by journalist, filmmaker and blacksmith Jake Bowers, as part of a national project to create twelve statues representing different aspects of Traveller culture, each to be sited around the country. Jake brought his working forge(!) and pupils were thrilled at the opportunity to see traditional blacksmithing up close, with everyone getting a chance to have a go.
The completed statue will return to Chidham later this year, when she will be unveiled in the school’s flower garden. Click here to read more about this wonderful project.
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Chidham are also currently fortunate to be one of only three schools nationally taking part in another project, "Rom Lit", developing Early Years literacies through the exploration of Gypsy, Roma, Traveller and Showman heritage.
As part of the project, children are participating in a series of virtual sessions (see picture) where they are collaboratively writing and illustrating a book. The finished book will be professionally printed and distributed to all three participating schools, providing a meaningful and lasting outcome for the children involved.
The project is led by renowned Traveller author and storyteller Richard O’Neill, author and illustrator Michelle Russell, and Spyros Themelis from the University of East Anglia.
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Following staff training on developing cultural competence, TES are continuing to support staff at Shipley Primary School, building on their existing good practice by working closely with their Traveller families to strengthen inclusive policies and celebrate cultural heritage:
- Traveller families have expressed a strong desire to be involved in the school’s celebration of GRT History Month this year. Planned activities include parents working alongside their children to write about the history and safe use of catapults. Families have also selected a story with a Traveller focus to share with the children.
- The TES team will work with a class during GRT History Month, using a Richard O’Neill story to reflect on and celebrate GRT culture.
- We are also delighted that a parent has agreed to take part in a recorded interview to share her experiences. This will be used in training to support professionals to develop a deeper understanding of the culture, offering valuable first-hand insight into the experiences of Traveller parents and children.
Looking ahead, there may be further opportunities to work with the families to explore the history of the school, as many families have attended over several generations. The families have lots of stories to share with the community and we look forward to continuing this partnership.
In November, students from Sussex University had the great pleasure of delivering two sessions at The Weald Community School in Billingshurst, in collaboration with the charity Friends, Families and Travellers.
Final year law students Tilly, Grace, Jasmin and Daisy from the StreetLaw: Public Legal Education Clinic visited to deliver a range of sessions. They designed and delivered a mock trial based on 'Home Alone', as well as other bespoke activities covering sports law, equality law & animal welfare law.
The team enjoyed getting to know the young people and ran sessions about law in an accessible, interactive way. "It's really lovely to see young people so enthusiastic and willing to learn. Their enthusiasm and engagement was wonderful".
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We know that schools and teachers are keen to be inclusive and to foster a strong sense of belonging for their Gypsy, Roma, Traveller (GRT) and Showman pupils, but we also know that it is not easy to identify appropriate and representative books.
While a number of inclusive book lists do already exist, those with a specific focus on Gypsy, Roma, Traveller and Showman representation are harder to find. Therefore, we have been working hard to produce a comprehensive book list for children and young people that reflects aspects of Traveller culture or includes Traveller characters. We have also collaborated with Frances Trimming from the Schools’ Library Service, who has helpfully identified the titles from our list that are available through their service. The service also recently invited our TES Advisory Teacher, Kate Brown, to take part in their Primary Book Chat webinar, where Kate discussed the work of EMTAS and shared recommended and much‑loved texts.
Our book list will eventually be accessible as a live and evolving web version, allowing books to be added and updated over time, as we hear from Traveller children and parents about the books that they feel best represent their community and culture.
In the meantime, please click here to view our current snapshot of the list.
Contact sls@westsussex.gov.uk for more information on the Schools’ Library Service.
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Loxwood Primary School recently hosted the second TES Book Club in West Sussex, following pilot sessions run at Barns Green Primary, earlier this year.
TES Book Club is carefully designed to support children from the Traveller community to foster a love of reading. It offers a safe, inclusive space where children can enjoy stories together, build confidence, and see their identities positively reflected.
Click here to read more about the children's experience at Loxwood.
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Earlier this year, Sussex University collaborated with Friends, Families and Travellers to install the 'Remembering the Roma Holocaust' exhibition at Billingshurst and Southbourne libraries to coincide with Sussex University’s Holocaust Memorial programme. The specific libraries were chosen as they sit in areas with known Traveller communities. Both libraries also have secondary schools nearby, linking to the Holocaust as part of their history curriculum.
The exhibition was available at February half term and was accessible to all library users. The exhibition included posters, animation and audio designed to promote a broader understanding of the Traveller experience during the Holocaust.
Please find here a digital version of the exhibition resources, including links to archives and further resources.
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The next Traveller Education Support Network Meeting is on Wednesday 17th June 10am – 11:30am on Microsoft Teams. In addition to our usual opportunity to share information, ask questions and discuss good practice from your roles, the agenda items will include:
- GRT History Month – As June is GRT History month, we can use this meeting as an opportunity to celebrate GRT History Month together and share what is happening across the county.
- TES Book Club – A focus on the new Reading for Pleasure Book Club project that we have been trialling. We will share what has been explored so far and discuss the impact.
Please contact Clare Painting clare.painting@westsussex.gov.uk if you would like to attend.
This year, staff can celebrate Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month with a special training session from Friends, Families & Travellers.
The webinar session will explore the rich histories and cultures of Gypsies and Travellers, the challenges the communities face, and look at practical guidance on improving access to services.
The webinar will be delivered by staff with lived experience and as a GRT History Month special, this three-hour training is available at the discounted rate of £100 per attendee.
If you would like to find out more, please click here.
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