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The Right to Education
Everyone has the right to education and Local Education Authorities (LEAs) have a statutory duty to ensure that education is available for all children of compulsory school age (five to 16 year-olds) in their area, appropriate to their age, abilities, aptitudes and any special educational needs that they might have. LEAs also have a duty to give parents in the area the opportunity to express a preference as to which school they wish their child to attend.
These duties apply to all children residing in the LEA’s area, whether permanently or temporarily and, therefore, Gypsy and Traveller children residing with their families on temporary or unauthorised sites are included within this duty.
Most LEAs provide specialist Traveller Education Support Services who help Gypsy and Travelling pupils and parents to access education and provide practical advice and support to schools taking in Gypsy and Travelling pupils.
Although Gypsy and Travelling children of school age have the same legal right to education as anyone else, it is obviously practically difficult to claim or seek these rights without a permanent or legal place to stop. When a Gypsy or Traveller family with children of school age moves into an area they should contact the local Traveller Education Support Service for assistance.
The National Association of Teachers of Travellers produces an annual booklet listing the local Traveller Education Support Services, and can also provide information about books and other education resources just for Gypsy and Travelling children.
Children should be educated in accordance with their parents’ wishes so far as that is compatible with the provision of efficient instruction and training and the avoidance of unreasonable public expenditure. LEAs have a duty to respect parents’ religious and philosophical convictions. ‘Respect’ means more than simply ‘acknowledge’ or ‘take into account’ such views, but does not require the LEAs to cater for all parents’ convictions and there is no absolute right to choice of school or language of teaching.
These duties apply to all children residing in the LEA’s area, whether permanently or temporarily and, therefore, Gypsy and Traveller children residing with their families on temporary or unauthorised sites are included within this duty.
Most LEAs provide specialist Traveller Education Support Services who help Gypsy and Travelling pupils and parents to access education and provide practical advice and support to schools taking in Gypsy and Travelling pupils.
Although Gypsy and Travelling children of school age have the same legal right to education as anyone else, it is obviously practically difficult to claim or seek these rights without a permanent or legal place to stop. When a Gypsy or Traveller family with children of school age moves into an area they should contact the local Traveller Education Support Service for assistance.
The National Association of Teachers of Travellers produces an annual booklet listing the local Traveller Education Support Services, and can also provide information about books and other education resources just for Gypsy and Travelling children.
Children should be educated in accordance with their parents’ wishes so far as that is compatible with the provision of efficient instruction and training and the avoidance of unreasonable public expenditure. LEAs have a duty to respect parents’ religious and philosophical convictions. ‘Respect’ means more than simply ‘acknowledge’ or ‘take into account’ such views, but does not require the LEAs to cater for all parents’ convictions and there is no absolute right to choice of school or language of teaching.
