1. Introduction

Bournemouth LEA is committed to Race Equality in all aspects of its work. The Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Service (EMTAS) is a key part of the LA`s strategy to promote Race Equality within Bournemouth Borough Council and specifically within schools. The EMTAS team supports schools in eliminating unlawful racial discrimination, in promoting equality of opportunity for pupils from Black and Minority Ethnic groups and in promoting good relations between people from different racial groups.

2. Rationale

It is the right of all children and young people to have the opportunity to learn at their school and to feel safe and valued within that school community. The teaching and pastoral support that pupils receive should enable them to attend well, make good progress and develop the personal and life skills that they will need for the future. The EMTAS team works with pupils, parents, teachers, teaching assistants, governors and community representatives to ensure that:
- school policies and practices meet the language and learning needs of all BME pupils, including Travellers and particularly those who are bilingual;
- the environment and curriculum of the school reflects a positive attitude to all languages and cultures including that of Travellers.

3. Objectives

- To improve the access of Ethnic Minority and Traveller children to all phases of education and to enhance their smooth transition between the key stages.
- To work with the Education Welfare Service in improving the attendance of all Ethnic Minority children, particularly Traveller children.
- To raise the attainment of any underachieving ethnic groups both within the LEA generally and in individual schools.
- To train school staff in the assessment of bilingual children and in the setting of realistic targets for them.
- To work with school staff on developing language programmes with appropriate teaching and learning materials.
- To advise on the recording and handling of racial incidents, monitoring of the impact of policies, policy review and action plans.
- To advise on broader linguistic and cultural matters, including religious and dietary requirements and to support the school in celebrating diversity.
- To liaise with families and negotiate interpretation and translation services within the educational context.

The Bournemouth Traveller Education Service offers support to schools, teachers, pupils and parents wherever needed. Support can include, but is not limited to:
- Working in partnership with schools to develop appropriate strategies for the inclusion of Gypsy and Traveller children and youth
- Supporting attendance, integration, or reintegration into school or learning opportunity for all Gypsies and Travellers
- Advising on and developing curriculum support to enable Gypsy and Traveller students to achieve their potential, including funding for academic support where required
- Supporting teachers in the creation of Distance Workpacks for students who will be travelling with parents due to parents' work
- Consulting with families to support students in school and to help stengthen the home-school bond.
- Monitoring and assessing the achievement of Gypsy and Traveller pupils and working with schools to set targets that encourage the strongest possible progress.
- Advising on and developing curriculum resources related to cultural diversity and Romany / Irish / New Traveller cultures in particular.

Contact our service on (01202) 456212 for further information.