Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children and young people experience high levels of bullying and exclusion in schools, have lower attainment levels and are among those most likely to be excluded from school. (Equality & Human Rights Commission, 2016).

In February 2020, we consulted with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people to find out about their experiences of bullying in school as part of a project delivered with Friends, Families and Travellers and funded by The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

The Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people we consulted with reported:

• a lack of understanding and visibility of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller histories and cultures in school.

• being negatively labelled, judged and having presumptions made about them being trouble-makers or not willing to learn.

• they felt they were treated differently from other pupils and could not access additional support when they needed it.

• racist and offensive language about Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people and communities was going unchallenged.

• not being believed when they report bullying.

• presumptions made about them having a tendency to bully others.

• feeling they had to retaliate or hide that they are Gypsy, Roma or Traveller.

• they had learned to expect bullying because no action was being taken to prevent or respond to it.