Traveller Education Service - Information

Traveller Education Service

The Traveller Education Service is funded by the Department for Education and Employment and the six unitary Authorities of Slough, Bracknell, Reading, West Berkshire, Windsor & Maidenhead, and Wokingham. The specific grant for traveller education is for the many projects designed to fully include traveller children in the education system.

The aims of the service

The service exists to support schools and the six local education authorities in the consortium area to:

• ensure access to education for Traveller children
• promote regular attendance
• enhance educational achievement

Traveller children who get extra support

The regulations setting out which Traveller children may get extra support identify the following:

• Travellers living on Gypsy sites
• Travellers who are housed
• Travellers living on the roadside
• Fairground and Circus Travellers
• New Travellers
• Boat Dwellers

Who we are

The work of the Service is carried out by:

• a Headteacher
• 6 Advisory Teachers for Travellers
• a Traveller Education Welfare Officer
• an Office Manager
• a Clerical Assistant

The support we offer

Support and advice is usually given in one or more of the following ways:

• admissions and all aspects of Traveller education
• assessment of the need for pupils, schools and families
• funding for LSA support to settle in new children
• support teaching from specialist teachers
• Education Welfare officer support on attendance and welfare issues
• resources to reflect cultural diversity
• curriculum development for inclusion, OFSTED requirements
• training and awareness-raising sessions

Partners in our work

The service works with the other agencies to provide a coherent service for schools, the LEAs and Traveller children and families.  In particular, we work with:

• Education Welfare Services
• Admissions Sections
• Home to School Transport Officers
• Early Years Partnerships
• Quality/ Standard Services

Further Information

Further advice and information can be obtained from:
Thames Valley Consortium Traveller Education Service
Wescott Annexe
Wescott Road
Wokingham
RG40 2ER
Tel: 0118 977 4910
Fax: 0118 989 2073
E-mail: maggs.harrison@wokingham.gov.uk

Contact details for the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead: 01628 796775 

Teachernet website:Gypsy and Traveller Children 

Traveller Education Service - About Travellers