Boaters and Showmen Influencing policy and the GRTSB schools and HE Pledge through their Cultural Heritage

Project Overview 

The Pledge for Schools is a commitment schools sign up to, to work towards creating a welcoming environment and conditions in which Gypsy, Traveller, Roma, Showmen and Boater (GTRSB) pupils can stay resilient and thrive academically.  It contains actions such as building a supporting a welcoming culture for GTRSB pupils, data monitoring of GTRSB pupils and staff, cultural awareness training for staff, including GTRSB history and culture on the curriculum.

Cisneros was involved in developing both Pledges and co-created the film with Roma families. This project aims to co-create two more films with the Boaters and the Fairground community aligning with the GRTSB Pledges. The accessible documentaries will capture the Boater and Showmen cultural heritage and feed into academic scholarship linked to policy and education. The screenings and events attached to the project will engage politicians, the Department of Education, academics, schools, artists and aim to feed into impact case studies on the Pledges. 

Project Objectives

The GTRSB Schools' Pledge consists of a firm commitment by schools. And. universities to undertake certain steps to support access, retention and outcomes in education for GTRSB pupils.

The Pledge is designed to support best practice in ensuring monitoring of data, inclusive practice, and the development of widening participation practice to support GTRSB pupils, potential pupils, and their families.

The Pledge sets out to deliver effective practice and also create an open and welcoming environment where members of the communities know their culture and learning needs are understood by the school which they attend, or which they are interested in attending.

The films co-created with the Showmen and Boater communities will feed into the GRTSB Pledges and allow the grassroots individuals to directly inform the work of the Pledge and political spaces.

Impact statement

This project consists of supporting the  Gypsy, Traveller, Roma, Showmen and Boaters’ Pledge for Schools and  improving access, retention, and outcomes in education for Gypsies, Travellers, Roma, Showmen and Boaters.

Download info on previous films co-created with the Roma community (See PDF).

Outputs

• Co-created films with the Showmen and Boater communities
• Film Festival with the Showmen and Boater community
• Online Schools Pledge Film Screening
• Webinar on importance of GRTSB Pledges
• Films that include BSL language

* Download info on previous films co-created with the Roma community (See PDF).