We pledged to work more with the Gypsy Roma Traveller (GRT) community, and last year we commissioned a report looking at their progression into Higher Education (HE). In that report, Dr Graeme Atherton referred to research by Northumbria University stressing how the pathway into HE needs to be holistic and begin early; that intervention at the primary school level needs to be encouraged.

Oxford Garden’s Primary School, based in North Kensington near the Grenfell Tower, has a large population of children from the GRT community, and we are delighted to announce funding for a Traveller Learning Mentor for the 2021/22 academic year.

The role, which has been in place for the past three years and delivered encouraging results to date, provides tailored support to pupils from the GRT community. Around twenty-five primary age children and their families receive help with all aspects of school life to improve attendance, attainment, and behaviour. Our funding will now ensure this continues into 2022.

Our hope is that this initiative can be built upon and replicated elsewhere, to give pupils from the GRT community the best possible start in their journey through the UK education system.