Wiltshire

The largest groups of Travellers supported in Wiltshire are Gypsy Travellers and Irish Travellers. Both of these are recognised as distinct ethnic groups. The Wiltshire Traveller

Support Service also supports circus, fairground, canal and new Travellers.

This unit relies heavily on ‘An introduction to the Culture and Beliefs of the Traveller Community’ Teachers’ RE Resource Pack. Available from Dorset Traveller Education

Support Service. It is a resource for KS1 but could be adapted for KS2. – for further information phone 01350 851302

An Introduction to Traveller Beliefs and

Culture

Skills, Attitudes and KnowledgeInvestigating.InterpretingOpen-mindednessRespectValuing Diversity

Responsible CitizensConfident IndividualsSuccessful Learners

Values and practicesComparison of Life

and CultureDecisions and life

choices.

Curricular LinksArtDesign and TechnologyHistorySpeaking and Listening

PlaceClassroom based

activities.School grounds

HallPaulton’s Park Romany

Exhibition (Contact to Check still available)

ResourcesResource pack prepared and distributed by TESS, Dorset (Traveller Education Support Services)This can be borrowed by contacting TESS on 07881517742. (This is entitled KS1 but can be adapted for KS2)

Time

Six Week RE Unit and/or cultural day

People

RE Co-CoordinatorLocal Traveller

Education ServiceReverend Roger

Redding (Traveller Chaplin)

An Introduction to the Culture and Beliefs of

the Traveller Community About this unit; this unit is likely to be the first encounter that children will

have with the Traveller Community. It introduces them to the term ‘Traveller’ and encourages them to understand that there are many different types of Traveller community. This particular unit focuses on the Gypsy Traveller

community but includes references to other Traveller traditions and communities.

Children will have the opportunity to develop an understanding of •Gypsy•Traveller•Vardo•Bender•Trailer•Site•A selection of Romany words•Solstice•Hand fasting

Useful Weblinks

• http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/inclusion-gypsies-travellers.htm

• http://www.hants.gov.uk/education/department/guidance/travellers/guide-10.php

• http://www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/subjects/literacy/traveller/

• http://www.warrington.gov.uk/Images/Travller%20-%20Resources%20list_tcm31-12667.pdf

• http://www.paveepoint.ie/index.html

• http://www.scottishtravellered.net/resources/casestudies/STEPcasestudy_fife.pdf

• http://www.gypsy-traveller.org/cyberpilots/adult_section/books.htm

• http://www.hants.gov.uk/rh/gypsy/index.html

• http://www.hants.gov.uk/rh/gypsy/resources/teachers.html

Expectations

Expectations

At the end of this unit

Most children will be able to Identify features of Traveller communities Talk about the importance to Travellers of being part of a Traveller

family and community Identify some of the similarities between the values and practices

of the Traveller community, those of faith communities previously studied and their own lives.

Be able to ask questions about other peoples life and culture Talk about right and wrong from their own, and others, perspective.

Some children will have not made so much progress and will be able to

Recognise and name features and objects of Traveller life and practice.

Name something that is of value to a Traveller and something that is of value to them.

Some children will have progressed further and will be able to

Understand and explain the similarities and differences between Traveller communities and other faith communities previously studied.

Talk about the impact that being a Traveller has on Traveller’s decisions and life choices.

Identify what influences them as individuals.

Who are Travellers• The Traveller communities

• The significance of possessions

• The collections of their peers and the reason why people collect certain items

Pupils will be able to:

• Talk about the difference between travelling on holiday or on a trip and travelling as a lifestyle

• Identify what matters to them and

what matters to others.

Home and LifestylePupils will be able to :• talk about the types of homes a

Traveller might live in and give a reason why.

• identify a similarity and a difference between their own home and those of a Traveller.

• demonstrate care when handling valuable possessions

Pupils will learn to:• make links between their

experience of home and a Travellers home

• find out about different types of Traveller homes and a travelling /outdoor life

What is Important to Gypsy Travellers?

• Pupils will learn about,• The importance of family to Gypsy

Travellers. Gypsy Travellers place value in family pride. Family is a source of help and support.

• The importance of horses and shared celebrations

• A shared language• That decorations reflect Gypsy culture

• Pupils will be able to,• Talk about something of importance to

Gypsy Travellers and make a link between that and something that is important to themselves

• express their ideas through creative and expressive arts

A KS1 resource but useful to start discussionAvailable from:Wiltshire Traveller EducationAddress: Traveller Education Service, Schools Branch, Department for Children and Education, Wiltshire County CouncilCounty Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 8JB

Click on the Cover to get further information.

What do Traveller families do together?

Pupils will learn,• That Traveller families work together• Traveller children have a responsibility

to help within their family.• Travellers have skills which they pass

down to their children

Pupils will be able to,• Talk about the difference that being a

child of a Traveller makes.• Think about difficult questions and

communicate an answer.• Explore Gypsy arts and customs by

creating their own example.

What do Gypsy Travellers believe?

Pupils will learn,• That you can have a faith without

going to a special building• That Gypsy Travellers thank God for

their lives• That Travellers respect their ‘elders’

and listen to their advice.

Pupils will be able to,• Make links between Christian and

Gypsy belief and practice i.e. belief in God, christening.

• Explain what Gypsy Travellers are thankful for and think about something that they are thankful for.

• Recall a traditional Traveller morality tale ( eg Lazy Jack and think about it’s moral. Link to parables that Jesus told.)

What is a Traveller wedding like?

• Pupils will learn,• About different types of

weddings• the importance of

promises

• Pupils will be able to,• Express their feeling in

response to music• Talk about different types

of weddings• Consider the importance

of a promise

Are Travellers treated fairly?

pupils will learn to ,• Explore the issue of

equality through drama• Talk about difficult

situation

Pupils will be able to,• Reflect on the issue of

stereotypes• Think about their

response to others

“Teacher’s role is as

much about breaking

down barriers of

prejudice and racism

as about teaching

literacy and

numeracy”

Customs

Children will learn, • the importance of rules

and customs• to treat others beliefs and

customs with respect

Pupils will be able to,• talk about the different

rules that are followed in different peoples homes.

• consider the views of others based on their lifestyle.