1. Who are the
Further Information on
supporting Roma children
ROMA?
in your school
STEP
Hospital and
Outreach
Teaching Service
Scottish Traveller Education Programme
www.step.education.ed.ac.uk
ROMA support group www.romasupportgroup.org
The word Roma doesn’t derive from
the country of Romania or from the
capital of Italy.
It is believed that the Roma
migrated from India or Pakistan in
the middle ages and settled in
Eastern Europe.
Roma are not a homogeneous group.
They have different backgrounds,
cultures, identities and history
depending on where they come
from.
Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month www.grthm.co.uk
National Associationof Teachers of Travellers
Information,
www.natt.org.uk
European Roma Rights Centre www.errc.org
Roma Rights
www.europeandialogue.org
ITS- Interpreting and translating services
Email: interp.trans.services@edinburgh.gov.uk
EAL Service– www.ealedinburgh.org.uk
Contact:
HOTS
63 Niddrie Mains Terrace
Edinburgh
EH16 4NX
0131 469 2830
0131 469 2830
Strategies
and Suggestions
for working with
Roma pupils

2. Potential barriers to
learning for Roma pupils
pupils
Many Roma from Eastern Europe have been denied
access to mainstream school so a 10 year old may be
experiencing school routines for the first time.
Roma language is oral with little written material.
Many Roma in Scotland are the first in their family
to access education.
Family is the most important thing to Roma.
English may be the childs 3rd language, the first
being Romani and then the language of the country
they come from.
Schooling doesn’t start until the child is 6 or 7 in
their own country.
Access to modern facilities and healthcare may
have been limited.
Emotions are often expressed loudly and
spontaneously.
Getting it right for Roma
children
Smile and make the child feel welcome.
Ensure the child’s
Smile and make
first and second
names are
pronounced
properly
them feelyour class/group
Talk to welcome
about what it is like to
come to school and not
understand anything.
Take the child on a tour of the school
Teach basic survival language eg hello, goodbye,
yes, no, toilet, hungry, thirsty etc. Perhaps make
a visual ‘fan’ with images the child can recognise.
Label everyday items
in English.
Pair with a
friendly buddy
English.
Make a visual timetable, alphabet chart,
labelled colour chart,
Include the
child with their
intellectual peer
group in class as
much as
Encourage attendance at
homework club, sports clubs,
youth organisations and
extra-curricular activities.
possible.
ENCOURAGE!
Further useful
activities
Use Clicker on the computer to create a
personal profile or learn specific vocabulary
Play Kims game, matching pairs and dominoes
to develop attention and language
Range of board games- to supportcounting
skills, language and build friendships.
Use simple visual games on the computer or
ipad apps to develop literacy and numeracy
skills –HOTS staff can advise.
Provide the child with a picture dictionary
to aid communication between
child/teacher.
Celebrate Roma culture in school– create a
display or presentation. Use Out of Site
activity pack to challenge stereotypes
(access online )
Selection of activities at a desk provided if
the childis feeling overwhelmed e.g.
colouring , sorting, construction.