Traveller Education
Raising the Profile of Gypsies and Travellers at Key Stage 1 and 2
An email received from Kate Holmes, Headteacher at Southrop School:
"We frequently see groups of Travellers camped on the roadside near Southrop, although we have never had Traveller children at the school. Last term one of our parents approached me to say that he felt that some of the children were expressing rather 'unenlightened' views about the Travellers. I would like to find someone who could come and present a more positive image of Travellers and their families."
Our response:
Using Romany Gypsy artefacts from the John Moore Countryside Museum in Tewkesbury, teachers from the Traveller Education Team put together a number of art-based activities for key stages 1 and 2 at the school. Beginning with a talk about the cultures of Traveller families that live in and visit Gloucestershire, the children were then guided through historical artefacts as well as modern images focusing upon Traveller children and their life as it is now.
The class then drew their own Staffordshire plates, made a collage and made old-fashioned wagons from card. An integral element of the day was to allow the children to ask questions, most of which focused upon horses, a passion shared by many in the class!
The event was felt to be very worthwhile and was well
received by the children. If you would like the Traveller Education Team to deliver a similar event in your school please contact us on 01452 427262.
Karen Steger
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