The book considers issues of secondary transfer, the role of the Traveller education service, the complex issue of cultural dissonance, and the impact of racism and bullying, and goes on to consider factors that may support or discourage retention of Gypsy Traveller students in secondary schools.
Interestingly, the students in this study were largely settled either in housing or on permanent sites, so the impact of travelling was not an issue for many of them. As a result the study focused on a detailed exploration of the very complex institutional, social and cultural factors.
What are most shocking are the levels of underachievement, poor attendance and exclusions among Gypsy Traveller students. Throughout the book there are references to these students, "leaving school" in Year 8 or 9 and never transferring at 11. Worrying levels of absence being considered "pretty good for a Traveller" are not just condoned but almost expected.
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