Edee, a 14-year-old Irish Traveller from Leeds, opened up about her school experiences, saying, “When I was in school, the other students just didn’t get our culture. I felt isolated and different from them.” This struggle led her to transition to home-schooling after leaving mainstream education at the age of 12.

Edee’s situation is not an isolated one. Recent statistics reveal that during the last autumn term, Traveller children had the highest persistent absence rates among any ethnic group, with nearly two-thirds missing at least one school day in ten—more than three times the national average reported by the Department of Education.

Grace Cunningham, an advocate for the Leeds Gypsy and Traveller Exchange (GATE) and the first in her Traveller family to earn a degree, highlighted that bullying and discrimination are significant factors driving these children out of school. She noted, “Some parents decide to withdraw their children for cultural reasons, while others do so to shield them from bullying and depression. For many parents, the kinder choice is to home-educate rather than keep them in a hostile environment.”

Traditionally, the Irish Traveller community leads a nomadic lifestyle and places a strong emphasis on family connections. Grace reflected on her own experience of being taken out of school as a child before returning to education as an adult. She described the community’s values as “old-fashioned and conservative,” where boys often start working with their fathers right after primary school, and girls are expected to help their mothers at home. She expressed concern that staying home can foster isolation and hinder social development: “They become quite isolated because they miss out on experiences shared by their peers at school.”

To combat these challenges, GATE has created special study groups for Traveller children who are not regularly attending school. For some, these groups provide the only opportunities to interact with other peers beyond their immediate families. Donna Marie, a 13-year-old who stopped attending school this year, shared that the study group feels “better than sitting at home” and offers a more inclusive atmosphere with other Travellers. She previously attended primary school with her cousins but left secondary school due to feelings of isolation and questions about her identity. Outside of these sessions, she assists her family with chores, including cleaning their trailer.

In the Yorkshire and Humber region, where GATE operates, 56% of Irish Traveller children have been classified as persistently absent, compared to a 21% absence rate across all ethnicities in the area. Ellie Rogers, the CEO of GATE, has voiced her concerns regarding the stagnation of this situation after ten years of working with the Traveller community. “We haven’t reached a point where parents feel safe enough to send their kids to school,” she pointed out. She emphasized the danger posed by the loss of government-funded programs designed to support the integration of Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities into education and called for systemic changes within schools to foster a more inclusive environment.

In response to these ongoing challenges, Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children’s Commissioner for England, highlighted the crucial need for every child to attend school free from harassment. She stated, “It’s simply unacceptable for any child to face bullying or discrimination,” reaffirming her commitment to upholding every child’s right to education.

A spokesperson from the Department of Education acknowledged the severity of the issue, declaring, “Tackling the national epidemic of school absence is a top priority for this government.” They indicated that despite a gradual decrease in absence rates among Irish Traveller children, more efforts are needed. The government’s strategy includes increasing access to mental health support, launching breakfast programs, and ensuring timely assistance for students with special needs.