SCHOOLS in Darlington are leading the way in their efforts to integrate the travelling community into the education system.

Three schools in the town welcomed delegates from 13 countries yesterday who were visiting to learn from their European counterparts.

School governors, teachers and inspectors, from countries including Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania, attended the schools as part of a course called The Education of Roma, Gypsy and Traveller Children.

The 34 delegates were split into groups, attending St Teresa's RC Primary School, Eastbourne Nursery and Eastbourne Comprehensive.

Helen Ainscough, of the Durham and Darlington Education Service for Travelling Children, said: "Darlington sets a good example because our education system is very inclusive."

A quarter of children attending Eastbourne Nursery, in Belgrave Street, in the afternoons are from travelling communities and strong links have been forged between the families and staff.

"It is very much based on trust. Families trust us to look after their children and keep them safe," said headteacher Lesley Beavis.

Headteacher at St Teresa's, Eddy Robinson, said 52 of the 270 children in the school are from traveller descent and their attendance varies.

"They use us as a base school. They come back to us after travelling and working across the country and abroad in the summer months," he said.

Beata Berzeki, a nursery teacher from Hungary, said that the course gave her a good insight into how best to integrate the pupils into mainstream education.

She said her colleagues' experienced difficulties dealing with the parents of the poor Roma children who attend her school.

"They are not very open. They want their children to inherit their culture and way of living," she said.

"After primary school they don't go on to secondary school to get any qualifications. They don't think they need it."

The pattern in Darlington is different, with Eastbourne Comprehensive teaching 34 traveller children - the biggest population on roll compared to any secondary school nationwide.

Teacher Sue Green is employed especially to work with the youngsters to fill the gaps in their education created when they are away from school.

Darlington Borough Council has two traveller sites in Honey Pot Lane and Neasham Road.

Councillor Stephen Harker, Cabinet member for Education, said: "We are delighted to be in a position to share our expertise and working practice with professionals from across Europe.