The education of Gypsy and traveller children - Christine O'Hanlon

This text is for teachers who teach or plan to teach traveller children. It sets out what teachers, traveller advisors and other professionals need to know about traveller culture, values, lifestyle, economic experience and learning, and relates this information to the educational issues arising from travellers' learning requirements. The authors use their experience and research to deepen teachers' understanding of the traveller child as a new or late learner rather than as a failed learner. They explain a variety of approaches and perspectives on travellers and schools and help teachers to reconstruct the curriculum appropriately. The relevant legislation is clarified and analysed, and there is guidance on providing equal educational opportunity to traveller children in light of the discrimination and hostility they face. Case studies are provided.