Rebbecca Hemming’s Study Visit Presentation

Soliloquy Theatre CompanyThe UK Education SystemRoma Gypsies in Education

Soliloquy Theatre Company

Is a theatre in education company works towards improving the lives of disenfranchised people through the arts.

Soliloquy Theatre Company The primary range of tools used are from

‘Theatre of the Oppressed’ (Augusto Boal). They include:

- Image theatre- Forum theatre- Legislative theatre

These tools are used to empower, explore, debate, inspire, motivate, challenge and to build self esteem and confidence.

Soliloquy Theatre Company The target groups are: young people,

women, ethnic minorities, disabled people, refugee and asylum seekers, victims of oppression, LGBT groups and other socially excluded people.

Examples of Soliloquy’s Past Projects

What is Extremism? Theatre workshops Black History through our Eyes – a play Oppression (creating a play with young

people) Sandwell without Borders (aimed at bringing

young people of different cultures together through the arts).

Cultural Awareness Training for Teachers and children.

Refugee and Asylum seeker awareness raising drama workshops

A music and dance workshop on inclusion in a Special School for severely disabled children

A young person’s feelings as she imagines she is a Jew in Nazi Germany.

‘How the Leopard Got her Spots’

A Primary school play on Inclusion

‘Who Am I?’

A drama workshop aimed at integrating newly arrived children in a primary school.

The UK Education System

A brief Overview of

The UK Education System There are 4 parts: primary

education, secondary education, further education and higher education.

Primary and secondary education is broken down into ‘Key Stages’

1. Key Stage 1 – 5 to 7 year olds.

2. Key Stage 2 – 7 to 11 year olds.

3. Key Stage 3 – 11 to 14 year olds.

4. Key Stage 4 – 14 to 16 year olds.

Key stages 1 and 2 are undertaken at primary school and key stages 3 and 4 are taken at secondary school.

By law all children in England and Wales between 5 and 16 must receive a full time education. In Northern Ireland children must begin at age 4.

Education can be received in a formal institute or at home.

Education is free for all. Families with low incomes get

free school meals provided.

Support for Migrant/Disadvatnted Pupils There is minimal language support in

primary and secondary schools. In primary schools, children who speak a

foreign language work with an EAL (English as an Additional Language) teacher.

Schools in deprived areas have access to funds to help purchase extra support for their pupils.

Children Centres are a hub of support for the community in particular parents and children. They are free to use by all.

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Children and Young People in the UK

Roma, Gypsy and Traveller Children

Definitions:

Gypsy/Roma – includes children who identify themselves are Gypsies and or Romanies and or Travellers and or Romanchial Gypsies.

Traveller of Irish Heritage – Travellers with an Irish Heritage

Roma, Gypsy and Traveller Children Are amongst the lowest achieving groups

of people in the UK. They are the most ‘at risk’ health group. Research shows lack of trust of authority

and fear of racism and discrimination are amongst the reasons for not accessing public services.

The general public opinion of these groups is substantially low. They are viewed as a nuisance due to their travelling nature.

Protection for Roma, Gypsy and Traveller Children Schools have to adhere to the Race

Relations Act 2010 which requires them to actively eliminate racism.

Schools also have a duty to adhere to the Community Cohesion agenda which is designed to bring communities together.

Roma, Gypsy and Traveller Children “Where the presence of Travelling children is

openly acknowledged, and where positive and accurate images of the different communities are featured within both the resources and of the school and the curriculum, then the pupils response is lively and there is a genuine openness to learning.”

OFTED (the national Governmental School Inspection body)

Roma, Gypsy and Traveller Children

“At the school and pupil level, children who are confident about their personal and community identity are so much better placed to be happy and successful learners. The importance of the notion of self-worth is well known as a major determinant of learning success.”

Department for Children, Schools and Families

Roma, Gypsy and Traveller Children

For more in depth information on this group download a copy of ‘The Inclusion of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Children and Young People.’

Published by The Department for Children Schools and Families.

Thank you for watching.