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The experience of Irish Traveller children in mainstream schools in the UK is one of isolation, bullying, and discrimination, according to a report by BBC Yorkshire Investigations. Edee, a 14-year-old girl from Leeds, left her school at the age of 12 because of the difficulties she experienced from her peers not understanding her family’s culture. She is one of many. In the last academic year, Irish Traveller children had the highest persistent absence rate of any ethnic group, with almost two thirds missing at least one school day in ten. This is over three times higher than average for England.
Many children drop out of mainstream schools because they are being bullied and discriminated against, according to Leeds Gypsy and Traveller Exchange (GATE), which works with the community to provide support. Grace Cunningham, who now works for the charity, was the first person in her Traveller family to have a degree, having gone back to college as an adult. She says that staying out of school can lead to children becoming even more isolated, as they lack the social skills gained when attending school.
Leeds GATE provides special study groups for children who are unable to attend mainstream schools. This is sometimes the only time they are around people outside of their own families. Despite this, not all parents keep their children out of school for cultural reasons, some do it because they have been bullied at school.
According to Ellie Rogers, CEO of Leeds GATE, the situation has not improved, and some parents still do not feel safe letting their children attend school. The charity believes that more changes are needed within schools to employ Gypsy and Traveller staff so that younger members can feel included and valued. The UK government’s Children’s Commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, affirmed every child should feel safe attending school, and that it is unacceptable for any child to face bullying or discrimination.
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