GRT0009
Written evidence submitted by the Anti-Bullying Alliance
About the Anti-Bullying Alliance
The Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) is a unique coalition of 150 organisations and individuals, working together to achieve our vision to: stop bullying and create safer environments in which children and young people can live, grow, play and learn. ABA is part of the National Children’s Bureau, a charity that for more than 50 years has been at the forefront of campaigning for children and young people’s rights.
This submission has been agreed by the ABA’s Advisory Group, our racist and faith targeted bullying working group and our core Members. You can see the list of organisations at the end of this submission. ABA’s Advisory Group support the wider submission to this call to evidence from Friend, Families and Travellers.
About the evidence included in this submission
This submission aims to provide the Education Committee with information about the experiences of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people of bullying and provide you with recommendations about how to prevent and respond to this type of bullying in schools and other settings.
In February 2020, we conducted focus groups with 26 young people aged between 5-18. 24 of the participants were Gypsy, Roma or Traveller and two were settled (non-Traveller). The young people were either in primary or secondary school, or were educated at home. Several of the young people who were educated at home related this to poor experiences in schools. You can find out more about the focus groups and the findings of this group in our report written in partnership with Friends, Families and Travellers entitled ‘Bullied, Blamed and Not Believed – the experiences of Gypsy, Roma and Travellers children and young people at school.’
Although this was a small qualitative study, we found that the feedback from young people about bullying to be very similar, regardless of the location, age or background of the pupils.
For the purpose of this report, we refer to children and young people as simply ‘young people’. Direct quotes from the young people are used throughout this report. Please be aware that some of the young people we consulted with talked about the racist language they had experienced - whilst we do not wish to reproduce this language, we felt it was important to include their own words in this submission.
Unfortunately the experiences at school of the young people we consulted with were overwhelmingly negative, but they were able to share lots of ideas that schools can put in place to support Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils. There are also many good practice examples from schools who are effectively preventing and responding to bullying and creating inclusive environments for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils to flourish.
Whilst a few of the young people we consulted with talked about being bullied by their peers, a significant majority reported to us that the bullying and/or prejudice they had experienced was by school staff. Moreover, the proportion of young people in the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller focus groups who reported being bullied by staff was very high in comparison to other groups of young people that we have previously consulted with.
Summary of the key findings
The Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people we consulted with reported:
• a lack of understanding and visibility of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller histories and cultures in school.
• being negatively labelled, judged and having presumptions made about them being trouble-makers or not willing to learn.
• they felt they were treated differently from other pupils and could not access additional support when they needed it.
• racist and offensive language about Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people and communities going unchallenged.
• not being believed when they report bullying.
• presumptions about them tending to bully others.
• feeling they had to retaliate or hide that they are Gypsy, Roma or Traveller.
• they had learned to expect bullying because no action was being taken to prevent or respond to it.
Summary of our recommendations
To better prevent and respond to bullying, the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people we consulted with said schools should:
• raise awareness of and celebrate Gypsy, Roma and Traveller ethnicities and cultures and promote positive images of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people in school.
• ensure staff understand the bullying, prejudice and discrimination Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people experience.
• challenge racist language.
• make teaching more inclusive.
• develop good relationships with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils.
• take seriously the bullying reported by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people.
The experiences of bullying of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people
The level of discrimination reported by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people is very high. In 2017, The Traveller Movement[1] found that 70% (138 out of 199 interviewed) of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people had experienced discrimination in some form in education.
Furthermore, in a survey conducted by Friends, Families and Travellers in 2019[2], 86% of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people reported their biggest challenge at school being bullying, followed by racism at 73%[3].
Previous studies have also found that Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people experienced racial abuse (86%), had been bullied or physically attacked (63%)[4] and had been picked on because they were Gypsy or Traveller.
A parent who submitted evidence as part of the Women and Equalities Committee inquiry (2019)[5] stated:
“My daughter has been called names at her secondary school because it’s known she is a Gypsy. Horrible names. I want her to stay there but it is hard. Teachers don’t take it seriously enough. They might say to the child to apologise but that’s not enough. Any other racism in the school is taken up higher.”
Moreover, according to the Government’s Race Disparity Audit (2018)[6], Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils have the lowest attainment of all ethnic groups, were most likely to be absent from school, and were the most likely to be excluded.
Whilst there is a need for further research in this area, the concerning findings from our own focus groups draw parallels with findings from other studies. This demonstrates an urgent need to address the bullying, discrimination and prejudice faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.
At the Anti-Bullying Alliance, we are deeply concerned about the level and types of bullying being experienced and reported by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils. These are issues that we simply cannot ignore:
• 70% (138 out of 199 interviewed) of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people had experienced discrimination in some form in education[7].
• 86% of pupils reported the biggest 86% challenge at school being bullying[8].
What Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Young People Tell Us About Bullying
A lack of understanding and visibility of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller history and culture
“People don’t understand being Gypsy is a race, not a choice”
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people said that they feel invisible within schools. They said that there is no acknowledgement of their ethnicities, histories and cultures within the school environment or curriculum. This made them feel different, excluded and like other people in the school didn’t understand them.
“Don’t tech nothing about Gypsy, Roma and Traveller history or culture. Makes you feel like no one understands.”
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people said that other people (young people and school staff) did not understand their language. This meant, for example, that their use of language was mocked or misused.
Young people also said that other people didn’t understand their culture. This meant that they felt others avoided them or made naïve assumptions about how they lived. For example, many said that others don’t understand the rich history and traditions of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities and don’t understand that Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people often live in houses.
“They don’t understand we can live in a house. They say you can’t be Gypsy if you live in a house. They laugh and say ‘you live in a caravan’”
Even though they were proud of their history, race and culture, many young people chose not to talk about this to young people or school staff who were not Gypsy, Roma or Traveller. Some young people said they sometimes tried to hide that they were Gypsy, Roma or Traveller as they were worried people would judge them and treat them differently. Many explained that they mainly chose to spend their time with family members or other Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people.
Being labelled and judged
The majority of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people told us that a lack of understanding of their history, ethnicity and culture meant that other people (particularly adults) held strong prejudiced and racist assumptions about them. Many young people said that others made assumptions about Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people, including that they were inherently bad people, were likely to steal, were ‘troublemakers’ and were more aggressive.
“They said ‘Gypsies stealing’. I don’t steal”
Young men in particular said that school staff regularly tried to stop them hanging around together in groups, based on the assumption they were troublemakers. They felt that this did not happen to other groups of young people. They also talked of being followed by teachers and searched far more frequently.
“100% I think they don’t do nothin’ because they don’t like me. They think I’m a ‘chav’[9] in the community. I’m different compared to them you see”
Inaccessible and unfair teaching and learning
Young people also talked about negative assumptions about their attitudes to learning. Several young people gave examples of teachers telling them they were stupid, did not want to learn, or there was no point in trying to teach them due to their race and culture. Many young people said it was obvious that teachers did not want them in class and they would be treated unfairly compared to others who were not Gypsy, Roma or Traveller.
“Feels like the teacher targets you. You’re the only Traveller in the classroom. Feels like they target us. They’re waiting to get us out the room. Like, everyone can be talking, but we’ll be the only one that’s sent out.”
Many young people said it was obvious that teachers did not want them in class and they would be treated unfairly compared to others who were not Gypsy, Roma or Traveller.
“You’re the only Traveller in the classroom. Feels like they target us. They’re waiting to get us out the room. Like, everyone can be talking, but we’ll be the only one that’s sent out.”
Young people described how they would often ask for help to understand, but that this would be ignored. If they tried to translate for other young people, they would often be separated, told to leave the class, or given detentions.
Thus, young people were trying to learn by asking for help, but then being blamed and judged for doing so. This made them feel dejected, sad and angry.
“Makes you think what’s the point?”
Unchallenged racist and offensive language about Gypsy[10], Roma and Traveller people and communities
Young people said that racist and offensive language about Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people and communities was heard frequently in secondary schools and less frequently in primary schools. They felt this language was used in different ways. A lot of offensive and racist terms were used casually by young people and staff due to a lack of understanding of their meaning. At other times, racist terms were targeted directly at Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people. They said that racist language was rarely challenged or discussed.
“They call us pikeys[11] all the time.”
This reported frequent, yet unchallenged, use of racist language meant that young people did not see the point in telling a member of school staff. They said it would either be disbelieved or that nothing would be done about it.
“I told the teacher what was happening and they didn’t do anything. I got angry because no one ever does anything and then we get in trouble.”
Not being believed: “They think we bully”
Most young people attributed the majority of poor or bullying behaviour they experienced to the adults in schools. Many of the young men said they did not experience bullying from other young people because they protected themselves by staying with their friends and family members. They also said that they were not bullied because people assumed Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people were all ‘bullies’.
Where they did experience bullying behaviour from other young people, they felt they were not believed if they spoke to an adult. Several described how they were ‘picked’ on but then labelled as the problem, told they must have done something to deserve it, or blamed. As such, they said they were often treated punitively, even when they were being targeted.
“People don’t see the problem happening to us, they just see us as a kid who’s being naughty. I got it. He got a detention, I got excluded for a week.”
“If it’s a Gorja[12] [being bullied], they’re believed, but if it’s a Gypsy, they won’t believe us.”
The experiences of most young people who said they had been bullied in some way followed similar pattern: get bullied, tell, disbelieved, then blamed.
Retaliation
Many young people said they felt the only way to tackle bullying or racist language was to retaliate. Young men in particular felt it was their responsibility to ‘fight back’ to protect themselves, their friends or family. Others felt like they were driven to retaliate as they got angrier and angrier when nothing was done about it or they were repeatedly disbelieved. They told us they were then likely to be the ones to get into trouble, with no efforts to address the bullying or racist language they had experienced.
“You get angrier and angrier and angrier until you get a detention”
“I told my teacher I’d just been called a ‘gypo’. They said ‘well maybe if you weren’t the way you were, you wouldn’t get bullied’. So they’re telling you if you weren’t a Gypsy you wouldn’t be bullied.“
As a result of not being believed and no action being taken, many Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people said they, family members, or members of their community had decided to be home-schooled, as they were afraid of going to school. This was particularly so for young women. Young people who were in school spoke of feeling like they should change how they act or talk to prevent bullying.
Recommendations: What Should Happen to Prevent and Respond to Bullying?
We asked the young people what they think needs to happen to better prevent and respond to bullying of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people.
Awareness and celebrating Gypsy, Roma and Traveller ethnicities and cultures
“Explain that being a Traveller don’t change who you are.”
Tackling prejudicial and racist stereotypes and assumptions about Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people is vital in creating a more welcoming and inclusive environment and prevent bullying. This should include learning about and tackling racist language. Promoting an inclusive culture should include learning about and celebrating the rich Gypsy, Roma and Traveller histories and cultures.
“Gypsy, Roma and Traveller history month so they know what our life is like.”
“They should tell people all the contributions Gypsies and Travellers have made in history”
This should include celebrating the different members of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities as well as promoting visible images of well-known or famous Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people. Young people said that this should include Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month as well as being embedded across the curriculum throughout the school year in lessons and assemblies. This teaching should be developed and delivered with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people and communities. For example, this could include:
• Learning about traditional foods and dishes in home economics
• History
• Learning about racism towards Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people in PSHE
• Art and exploring the rich cultural and artistic history of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities
Awareness of bullying
All teachers, support and pastoral staff should learn about prejudice, racism and bullying towards Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people and communities. They should also learn about the experiences of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people in schools and how to treat Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people fairly and inclusively.
Challenge racist language and promote positive images
Schools should proactively challenge all racist and offensive language including that about and towards Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people. This should include learning about what the words really mean and how they make people feel, as well as tackling racist language when it is used.
Several young people also felt it would help if there were Gypsy, Roma and Traveller teachers in the school and members of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community coming in to schools to help to raise awareness and be positive, visible role models.
Inclusive teaching and good relationships
Young people wanted teaching methods to be more inclusive and accessible, particularly for those who speak English as an additional language. Several young people said that English was their third or fourth language and they needed more support in the classroom. This included teachers or support staff explaining things to them if they did not understand; using more visual teaching methods to aid learning; and allowing young people to translate for each other.
They also spoke of how it important it was for teachers to spend time getting to know them and being interested in them.
“If you don’t understand the exercise [due to English being second language] explain it, help us. But not all teachers do that. They kick you out because you don’t understand the exercise.”
Respond to bullying
All young people spoke of the need for better responses to bullying. Firstly, they needed to know they would be believed when they spoke to an adult, particularly if the bullying or poor behaviour was from a member of school staff. They wanted adults to give them time, to listen to them and to reassure them, rather than to jump to conclusions, blame them or dismiss it.
“If the teachers are calmer with me and listened I wouldn’t get so angry”
Young people want to know that the teachers will respond appropriately and take action towards young people or staff who displayed racist, prejudiced and/or bullying behaviours. Young people felt strongly that bullying towards Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people should be recorded as racist.
“Being stricter, punishing, doing something when it happens.”
They felt strongly that Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people should be involved in working with the school to improve responses to bullying.
Free CPD training and support for school staff
Through two programmes, one with Friends, Families and Travellers and another funded by the Department for Education entitled United Against Bullying, Anti-Bullying Alliance is providing free CPD online training and new tools to help schools to assess and improve the way they prevent and respond to bullying of children and young people from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Communities. These materials are available free to schools in England.
List of organisations in support of this submission
This written submission to the Education Committee has been agreed by the following organisations:
The ABA Advisory Group:
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