Gypsy children suffering racism in schools, MPs told

At a women and equalities select committee hearing on educational inequalities faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) communities, MPs heard that poor attendance was the key reason for the low educational outcomes for children from these communities. Racism from pupils and teachers is a major factor in this, said the experts, as is bullying and a feeling among GRT children and their families that they are being marginalised by a school curriculum that does not involve their communities’ histories. Latest government statistics show that GRT children have the worst educational outcomes of any ethnic group, with just 21 sitting A-levels in 2016. GRT children also have the highest rates of both permanent and fixed period exclusions than any other ethnic group. Read more.