Traveller training and resources
- Traveller Training and Support for schools
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Bespoke training can be provided for teachers, educators, social workers and other professionals to meet individual needs.
- Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month (GRTHM): June
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Across the UK, GRT History Month has been celebrated in June since 2008. Every year, this event has a new theme which highlights an aspect of Traveller cultures. See Friends, Families and Travellers for up-to-date information and this year’s theme.
- World Funfair Month: September
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Help shine a spotlight on aspects of the lives of our Showmen families. Download this free pack full of ideas and resources you can use to be part of World Funfair Month this September.
For World Funfair Month 2025, EMTAS invites you to celebrate by taking part in a competition to decorate a galloper horse.
We’d love for you to design your own galloper horse using images that reflect your personality and interests. Make it colourful, vibrant and full of personality. You can use one of the templates we’ve provided in the downloadable document below, or feel free to draw your own.
- Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)
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- Most Traveller families deal with sex-related issues within their own communities and may not allow their children to attend lessons that focus on this.
- Discuss RSE with parents in advance of any lessons on this topic so they are clear that Relationships Education is statutory but that they have the right to withdraw their child from Sex Education up to two terms before the child’s 16th birthday when it becomes the child’s choice whether they attend or not.
- EMTAS has worked with Traveller parents to co-produce teaching resources to support Traveller and Showmen pupils to access key parts of the RSE curriculum. Contact [email protected] to discuss how EMTAS Traveller/Showmen Advisors can support you in this area of work.
- Ascription
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Correct ascription by Traveller and Showmen families can help ensure their children receive appropriate support with their education, including the use of the T code for those families who travel for work purposes. This postcard can be used to support conversations about the importance of correct ascription with Traveller and Showmen families.
- Recording pupil absences using the T code
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It is important that schools take steps to understand the cultures of children and young people from Traveller (GRT) and Showmen communities as this reduces the risk of underachievement and/or withdrawal from education of the child. The best outcomes are achieved when parents/carers and schools understand each other and plan and work together in the interests of the child.
Some children from Traveller and Showmen families will have periods during the year when they are away with their families travelling. For children affected by this there may consequently be periods of time when they are not attending school. If the school knows the child is travelling with their parents AND that their parents are doing this for work purposes, then schools can use the letter code ‘T’ to record the child’s absence. Download our postcard on the use of the “T” code for further information about how it should be used and guidance on best practice strategies in relation to Traveller and Showmen pupils whilst they are travelling.
- Traveller resources to download
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EMTAS has produced a Traveller/Showmen aide memoire that enables staff in schools to ensure practice and provision for Traveller and Showmen pupils and their families is in line with best practice.
The Norfolk Education Service have put together a collection of resources about different aspects of Traveller culture, suitable for children in Key Stages 1, 2 and 3. These are free to download.
Also from the Norfolk team are Traveller-themed resources that can be used when teaching about World War 2.
- Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Fair dates
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Every year, a series of fairs relating to aspects of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller cultures takes place at particular places throughout the UK. The fairs that Hampshire children are most likely to be involved in are Appleby Fair (early June), Wickham Fair (May) and Stowe Fair (October). Families may also be involved in Christmas events.
- Showmen and Circus Children
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Children in these Traveller groups often have a regular travelling season between April and October during which time they may be away travelling with their families. The children may be travelling for the whole season or they may just be away with their families for odd weeks here and there. Their families may also be involved with Christmas events.
The Norfolk Education Service have a collection of free-to-download resources on aspects of Showmen culture. They are suitable for children in KS1, 2 and 3.
- Traveller and Showmen-themed books
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EMTAS has a selection of Traveller and Showmen-themed guided reading packs available for loan to schools. Each pack comprises 4 copies of the same title. There are packs suitable for use with children in Key Stages 1 and 2. Contact [email protected] if you would like to borrow a pack.
- Persona dolls
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EMTAS has a Traveller Persona Doll which can be borrowed by schools. ‘Chantelle’ comes with her own bag of items special to her, a story that reflects aspects of Traveller culture and a scrap book detailing the Hampshire schools she has visited. Especially popular during Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month (June), Chantelle can visit your school at any time of the year and she is an accessible way of introducing aspects of Traveller cultures to Key Stage 1 children in particular.
- FAQs about Traveller and Showmen Children in Hampshire schools
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This publication was written for education, teaching and support staff who work with children of Traveller heritages and comprises questions that are frequently asked about GRT and Showmen communities.
- EMTAS Traveller-related Blogs
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The EMTAS blog is a good source of articles on different aspects of Traveller cultures and success stories from schools whose work with their Traveller communities can inspire others. Browse the EMTAS blog for Traveller articles.