The National Executive of Britains largest education union has adopted a resolution opposing racism and hostility towards Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities and seeking ways education can be used to challenge and reverse it.

a. Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Communities

Proposer: Dominic Byrne Seconder: Louise Regan

The Executive notes that Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) communities continue to face an ever increasing climate of racism and hostility.

We note The Police and Crime Bill, in criminalising the nomadic way of life, is adding to the social exclusion and racism faced by the GRT community.

We stand in solidarity with GRT communities and oppose all anti-GRT racism.

We recognise that there is still much more to do in the fight against anti-GRT racism in Education. A recent study by The Traveller Movement found that one in five Traveller pupils felt they had to leave school due to bullying and two thirds of those surveyed felt bullied by their teachers. GRT children are excluded from school disproportionately compared to other ethnic groups. In addition to this, Gypsies and Travellers are 10 times less likely to go to university than their peers and fair worst in terms of educational attainment.

As with all discrimination, education is at the heart of challenging it. The NEU has a long history of standing in solidarity with the oppressed and using our skill as educators to challenge racism in all its forms.

We call on the executive to:

1. Work with the GRT community and organisations to produce educational resources to be shared with members, so they can be used in schools and colleges to raise awareness and challenge discrimination.

2. To continue to oppose the Police and Crime Bill and actively support Gypsy, Roma and Traveller led demonstrations against the Bill such as “Drive to Survive”.

3. To work to influence government, opposition parties and local education, to provide funding, issue guidance and offer training to enable schools to develop policies and practices to address the continuing educational disadvantage of these children.

4. To keep pupils from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities high on the Union agenda particularly in all publications relating to inclusion and equality, racism and bullying.

5. To actively seek ways to increase the recruitment of school staff from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller ethnic groups and provide appropriate support to encourage their retention in the workforce

6. To make a commitment to providing training to build the confidence and ability of teachers to support these pupils.

7. To review NEU publications/guidance etc, to make sure that in relevant placesnthese groups are explicitly included.

8. For the NEU to affiliate nationally to the Advisory Council for the Education of Romany and other Travellers (ACERT) and Friends, Families and Travellers.

Salary: £28,099 – £30,719 per annum

Base Location: Sandy Children’s Centre, Sandy

This role is an opportunity to be part of a pilot project to work with Gypsy Roma and Traveller children and their families, where there are issues relating to engagement in education. We are looking for the right candidate to build relationships and support children and families to raise aspirations for learning. Working collaboratively with partner agencies and across teams in Central Bedfordshire Council, this is a fantastic opportunity to find your greatness.

To apply and for further details please visit  https://bit.ly/30dutDm or contact Cathy Brighton Catherine.Brighton@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk   Tel: 0300 300 6311

Most of the people who attend the Traveller Education network meetings work in Traveller Education support services or similar. There are members from all over the country of whom around half tend to join the discussion each time. Often one of the participants talks about some aspect of their work to kick off a discussion with the group. People who may feel isolated in their work can take the opportunity to discuss dilemmas or seek advice.

ACERT hosts the meetings via Zoom. They run between 2p.m. and 4p.m. on Wednesday afternoons. The first meeting of this school year will be on Wednesday 13 October at 2p.m.

The remaining dates for the coming year are provisionally set for:

1st December

26th January, 16th March

4th May, 15th June, 20th July

If you would like to receive a link to join the Traveller Education Network meetings and/or if you would like to join our Education Support Mailing List, please email us at info@acert.org.uk

An exciting day conference for parents and educators exploring ways of improving opportunities for Gypsy Roma and Traveller Young people

Fri, 1 October 2021
10:00 – 16:30 BST

Friends’ Meeting House
6 Mount Street
Manchester
M2 5NS

This one day conference will target education professionals and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller parents. Richard O’Neill will chair a lively day of presentations and discussions on school and community initiatives that widen opportunities and raise expectations.

After a difficult eighteen months our aim is that the tone of the day will be optimistic. Through sharing ideas and experiences we aim to inspire practical ways forward in the current context.

We want all participants to find this an accessible event. This event is costing ACERT £40 per person. We have set a Standard Ticket price for all who can afford it but if this is beyond you, please make the best donation you can. A buffet lunch and refreshments are provided throughout the day.

We are keen to include parents interested in being part of a parent support network and to identify ways in which ACERT can back them in getting a better deal for their children.

Presentations/Workshops so far agreed include:

• Selina Costello and Janine Lowther (Darlington TEAS) workshop on Raising the career aspirations of Gypsies, Roma and Travellers on a shoestring
• Duke’s Theatre Lancaster and Lancashire EM/ GRT Achievement Service presentation about the Our Voice project with young women
• Ermina Kesedzic and parent worker Juraj from St Edmunds Nursery, Bradford, on work with Roma parents and communities
• Olivia Hammond, Alternative pathways to success
• Natalie Stables, Traveller wagon project
• Harriet Crossley and Roma families from Bowling Park Primary – Inclusion during the pandemic
• Juice Vamosi from KaskoSan Roma Charity
• Ollie Petrovic – Identity, Best Friends.

Wednesday 23rd June 12.45 – 1.45pm 

Our Romano Drom

A history of the 1971 London World Romani Congress

Written and narrated by Grattan Puxon, Romani activist and general-secretary of the 1971 Congress.

Produced and edited by Ioana Constantinescu for the 8 April 2021 Jubilee celebrations organised by the Jubilee London Committee.

Using archive footage and photographs, Grattan takes us through the 60’s in Ireland where he became involved in Traveller issues, to the UK early campaigns against evictions, the setting up of the Gypsy Council and the lead up to the 1971 Congress in London.

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month Celebration 24th June, 6-8pm  

This virtual 2-part event, hosted by Mena Mongan, will be an opportunity to come together to celebrate the rich culture and heritage of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities through discussion, music and stories.

6pm – 6.50pm – Panel Discussion

The event will begin with a short panel discussion on the impact of the proposed Policing and Crime Bill on the culture and lives of Gypsies and Travellers in the UK.

7pm – 8pm – Celebration

This will be followed by an exciting mix of musical performances and presentations, including..

• Nile Rice, writer and journalist from Paddington
• Ando Glaso Collective
• Marian and Co
• Bridging Sounds Orchestra

And many more…

On 8th April 2021, the World Romani Congress marked 50 years since the 1971 founding event in London. It was a crucial point in the history of Romani people and is now seen as the beginning of the worldwide Romani emancipation movement. It started a political fight for equality,mobilised through Romani organisations, and the unifying flag and anthem.

This year to mark the jubilee anniversary a series of diverse online events have been taking place that offer the opportunity to celebrate Roma history and culture but also critically reflect on the ongoing challenges that are still faced by Romani people worldwide.

Events can be enjoyed via a live stream at www.romanistan.com a virtual place that crosses all continental borders and connects Romani people worldwide. The president of the First World Roma Congress in 1971, Slobodan Berberski, once said: “Every place, there is Roma, there is Romanistan.” This utopia has now become reality!

It is hoped that this year’s online events will spark greater mobilisation. Grattan Puxon, one of the co-organisers of the First World Romani Congress, said: “At a time of rising far-right extremism and anti-gypsyism it is hoped that this anniversary year will bring Romani people and our allies around the world closer together, to create a common purpose, celebrate achievements, and build a stronger collective voice.”

If you weren’t able to attend or wish to reflect on International Roma Day, recordings of the day’s events can be found on Romanistan’s YouTube and Facebook pages.

There is still time to take part and the congress events are open to all. Check Romanistan’s website for updates and information on the next sessions.
In addition to the congress events, Romanistan and its partner oranisations have delivered an online World Roma Congress art exhibition.

Patrick Wiley, an American Archaeologist, is researching the history of Romani and Traveller families who lived in Epping Forest from the 1760s onward.  As many as 300 Romanichals lived and worked in the forest until they were forcibly evicted in 1897. Despite these restrictions Romanies and Travellers were known to stop in Epping well into the 20^th century and thousands of people of GRT backgrounds live in the Epping Forest District today. Patrick would like to get in touch with anyone of Gypsy Roma and Traveller heritages who lives in the area or has relatives who lived there.

The research will focus on three forest compartments, Walthamstow Forest, Wanstead Flats, and High Beech. Walthamstow Forest is the birthplace of famed Romanichal evangelist Rodney Smith. Wanstead Flats is mentioned in his autobiography and other sources mention it as common campground. High Beech was chosen because there are charcoal pits in the area possibly left by Romanichal charcoal burners.

For his PhD research at University College, London, Patrick plans a series of scientific tests to see if archaeological remains are present.  This information can help him, or other future archaeologists decide to excavate in the future. 

The stages in the fieldwork will include:

• Walking the site looking for anything of interest on the surface like the charcoal pits. 
• Magnetic susceptibility tests covering an entire forest compartment to look for changes in the soil caused by human habitation.
• Magnetometry to finding the buried remains of campfires, forge fires, and iron artifacts
• Ground penetrating radar to look for the hard-packed earthen floors of bender tents. 

Patrick hopes these tests will reveal campsites in detail and might even be able to determine if the camp was built in summer or winter based on the location of the campfire or hearth.

Romani Archaeology is largely unknown in the UK, but studies have been carried out in Sweden and the Czech Republic in collaboration with local Romani people. Patrick is seeking people of Gypsy Roma and Traveller heritages to work with him as partners and participants. Anyone interested can reach him at patrick.wiley.20@ucl.ac.uk.

Romani history is a severely neglected topic in the humanities and barely any Romani archaeology has ever been conducted. I believe that the marginalization of the Romani past is directly connected with the marginalization of the Romani people. I know that the study of the past has great potential to inspire, transform, and empower and I believe that a dedicated subfield of Romani and Traveller archaeology will have that same impact. 

Patrick Wiley