ABSTRACT
Supporting Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) children in schools can be one of the most interesting and rewarding roles that Teaching Assistants can undertake. The Teaching Assistant can play a crucial part in building trust, promoting social inclusion and supporting their academic progress. This chapter provides insight into some of the cultural considerations and draws upon a body of research to suggest ways of effectively supporting the particular needs of this diverse group of children and young people and improving their educational outcomes. Despite official guidance aimed at raising outcomes for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils over the past fifteen years the achievement of these groups remains unacceptably low. A major longitudinal research project, commissioned by the former Labour Government explored the phenomenon in great depth and identified a number of recurring interwoven conditions that impact positively on educational outcomes for these groups of learners.
