A HEADTEACHER has called for more funding to be made available to educate Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children as she gave evidence to MPs at the House of Commons.

Paula Strachan, head of St Teresa's Catholic Primary School in Darlington, said it was "heartbreaking" that children from such backgrounds faced racism daily outside school, despite her and her staff's successful efforts to tackle it inside.

She also addressed the effects of remarks made by Jimmy Carr, and talked of the need to work with children in their early years and challenge people's misconceptions.

She also urged more funding for Gypsy Roma Traveller toddlers as she gave evidence to the Commons' education committee.

Ms Strachan said her school had 91 Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children.

Asked about under-attaintment in education, she told the committee: "There's a lack of high expectations from some educational colleagues for these children.

"These children will achieve the highest expectations if the opportunities are given to them.

"I think the big problem is a lack of education among professionals about what these children can achieve if they're supported effectively.

"I think there's a complete misunderstanding of the nomadic culture and how it aligns with educational attainment.

"Children learn an awful lot when they are travelling and that doesn't necessarily fit into our standardised education system."

Asked about how to reduce bullying and racism, she said: "I think a lot of it starts with the staff team.

"And I think there needs to be a zero tolerance policy there on any sort of racial or derogatory language being used, because that then passes on to the children that we serve.

"And I think it's also about misconceptions about Gypsy Roma Traveller children.

"All of our children have visited the local camp to get rid of any misconceptions that they may have.

"We have stories that have Gypsy children at the very centre of them, and we share those regularly.

"When we've interviewed our children they say they are not bullied in school, that they have experienced racism every day when they leave the school gates, which is heartbreaking to hear, but it's the world they're in."

Regarding the recent Jimmy Carr remarks, she said: "The children were talking about it and we deal with it as we always would in our school and talked about it with them.

"Quite a few of the parents mentioned it and were quite hurt by it, but they were very very hurt by the laughter around the room.

"You wouldn't be able to say it about another racial group."

Asked about helping parents to support their children, she said: "We've got trusted adults at school who specifically work with that parental group.

"It's about identifying what the needs are and making sure that you accommodate them so that you're serving that community correctly.

"But I think the trusted adult and that early years intervention is key.

"It's having colleagues that you are working with who want the very best for those children.

"But there's also the potential for that community particularly to be targeted inappropriately. It's that trusted adult who's going to fight for those children."

Asked to suggest an early intervention programme, she said: "You need a designated health visitor who specifically works with GRT communities and will go on to sites.

"That's a first way of gaining that trust.

"You then also need early years funding for two-year-olds for GRT pupils because they don't qualify for two-year-old funding... because they don't claim any benefits generally.

"It's a cultural belief that you should support yourself."

She suggested using "pupil premium" money, meant to improve education for disadvantaged pupils.

She added: "Schools need pupil premium money assigning to these children.

"But it's specifically for these children because they come with no funding, and all of your data is suggesting that they are the most disadvantaged children in education.

"And they've got no funding attached to them at all.

"If they were entitled to pupil premium... I know they would take it."

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