Information on Supporting Traveller Pupils Through Transitions

This information leaflet aims to help schools guide their Traveller pupils and families through the transition process from pre-school to primary and from  primary to post primary education.

Positive engagement between parents, pupils and schools is fundamental in  determining the success of any transition process. Traveller pupils may experience a higher number of transitions throughout their school life partly due to the nomadic lifestyles of many Traveller families.

These transitions could be at any point in  the academic year or in any year group - primary or post primary. It is worth  considering that some Traveller parents  may have had limited or poor experiences  of schooling, particularly at post primary level and may need extra support and  reassurance throughout the transition  process.

• Begin the transition process to pre-school or primary as early as possible to give the maximum preparation time.
• Ensure families know what their options are and discuss with  them using the DE and EA guidance documents including showing parents where and how to access applications.
• Support families, if needs be, with the completion of pre-school or primary school applications. Intercultural Education Support Service can help with this process.
• Make parents aware of the importance of closure dates and  signing completed enrolment applications.
• Ensure parents are aware of important dates such as open days and information sessions in pre-school or primary schools.
• Encourage families to visit all possible schools or pre-school providers.
• Ask the Intercultural Education Service or your Education Welfare Officer to assist.
• Distribute school uniform, free meals or transport application forms in good time. Offer support and guidance if possible and signpost to other sources of support including Intercultural Education Support Service.
• Appoint a designated staff member to undertake your home-school liaison work.
• Ensure all relevant pre-school information is passed on to the  primary school, and from the primary to the post primary school.

• Provide information for pupils as regards pastoral care issues, particularly bullying, and direct young people to external and internal education online resources.
• Provide advice on reading timetables and ‘navigating’ through the  school. Colour coded plans and personalised timetables e.g. with  clock faces to denote times.
• Consider the use of ICT and apps to  facilitate the above.
• Ensure spare copies of the timetables are kept in school.
• Plan how long it will take to get ready at night and again in the  morning. Break it down into minutes - 5 to brush your teeth, 10  to put on your full uniform, 10 to walk to the bus stop. This will  ensure children will arrive in school on time and with the correct  equipment for each lesson.
• Discuss what common or frequent post primary school phrases mean e.g. form class, year head.
• Provide information for pupils and parents e.g. how to read sample timetables, how to use a map of the school, where to find photographs and contact details for the key staff including pastoral care, secretary, anti-bullying or learning support  coordinator.

• Collect all relevant information from the primary school(s). Remember the Traveller pupils’ schooling may have been  interrupted and more than one school may have necessary  information regarding services accessed and involvement to  date).
• Provide parents with relevant information regarding key members of staff and procedures.
• Meet with parents to ascertain any particular needs or concerns to be addressed.
• Discuss with parents and the Intercultural Education Service any curriculum issues that may be problematic such as changing for PE, boys wearing aprons  for home economics, health and personal social care issues.
• Facilitate any additional links needed between your Traveller family and the secondary school e.g. home visits or community  appointments.

If you need any further information or assistance please contact the Intercultural Education Service Acting Assistant Advisory Officer.

Email: Karen.Turner@eani.org.uk

Call: 0776 5411 285