A report written by Dr Graeme Atherton, Director of the National Education Opportunities Network (NEON) has found no significant increase in the progression of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities into Higher Education and makes recommendations how the situation might be improved. It was commissioned by the Sir John Cass Foundation focussing on groups of young
people who are under-represented in higher education.
Main findings
- Access to HE for GRT communities is not increasing
- Less than 30% of Access and Participation Plans (APPs) mention GRT learners
- Less than 5% of Access and Participation Plans (APPs) include reference to any activities to support access to HE for GRT learners
- No APPs include targets related to access and participation in HE for GRT learners
- Only 2 of 29 Uni-Connect partnerships are undertaking activities with GRT learners
- Only 2 London HE providers indicate any work with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller learners in their APPs.
Recommendations
- Ensure there is a specific strand of work focused on Gypsy, Roma and Traveller participation in Uni-Connect from 2021 to 2025
- Ask all HE providers to outline how they are supporting access, participation for GRT learners in their annual APP statements to the Office for Students
- Establish a national GRT HE access and participation initiative
- Integrate focus on GRT community learners in the new national strategy to tackle Gypsy, Roma and Traveller inequalities
- Mayor of London to establish a GRT education task force.
