We Belong! DfE funded project for Romani, Roma and Travellers in education.

Bringing together communities and professionals in schools and settings to support belonging for often excluded children.
About this Event

A DfE funded project focused on Bradford and Leeds with this half day event followed by four in school workshops over the coming two terms. With a focus on the voice of children and families we will work together to establish what works and how to support each other in the longer term to help children to achieve in our schools now and in the future.

Agenda

🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM
A warm welcome and networking over coffee with colleagues old and new.

Info: Meet school staff and community organisations including: Pride of Romani, The Traveller Movement, Leeds Gate, Bridging the Gap, Connecting Roma CiC, European Drom and others to enable purposeful conversations and connection -including with Richard O’Neill (Romani author) who will capture delegates’ initial reflections.

🕑: 09:30 AM - 09:45 AM
Welcome and Introduction- Chapter 2 of our story.....
Host: Alison Wilson DfE Regional Director
🕑: 09:45 AM - 10:15 AM
Community Panel 1 - Our experiences in schools -as pupils and parents.
Host: Charmaine Abdul Karim Pride of Romany

Info: Chair - Pauline Anderson OBE is an Irish Traveller born in Keighley. She is Chair of the DfE Stakeholder Group for Gypsies, Roma and Travellers and Chair of The Traveller Movement London. Pauline worked in schools for 21 years including headship and in local government for 17 years latterly as Director of Education and Inclusion. She currently advises the South West region on SEND reforms and worked for 2 years with DfE SEND&AP Change Programme as a Change Coach in London, South West and West Midlands. She is a new trustee of the Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust. Pauline received an OBE in 2020 for services to children and young people in education.

🕑: 10:15 AM - 10:45 AM
Panel 2- Belonging in Practice- What is happening in our schools now?
Host: Richard O'Neill MBE- Romani Author

Info: Chair- Pauline Anderson OBE- Chair of DfE Stakeholder Group for Gypsies, Roma and Travellers and Chair of The Traveller Movement

🕑: 10:45 AM - 11:15 AM
Brunch and networking- making connections and getting to know each other.
🕑: 11:15 AM - 11:45 AM
Bradford Research School- Focus on Bradford and Leeds Schools and Settings
Host: Mark Miller

Info: Bradford Research School

🕑: 11:45 AM - 12:15 PM
The story of our communities and what the children say.
Host: Richard O'Neill Romani Author

Info: Richard O'Neill MBE storyteller, educator, author, playwright, animation scriptwriter, lecturer and workshop leader. He conducts storytelling skills and social enterprise for inclusion training sessions across Europe, and the USA engaging with various institutions such as schools, universities, leading museums, and cultural spaces. Born into a traditional nomadic Romani family and brought up in various locations across the North deeply influences his work, inspiring him to leverage the power of storytelling in various formats to promote inclusion and acceptance and to promote community cohesion and health awareness. He is the creator and former volunteer director of National Men’s Health Week. Richard's contributions to literacy and community development have earned him numerous accolades, including and MBE for services to education and literature, the prestigious 'National Literacy Hero' award, recognising his impact on promoting literacy, and the Beacon Leadership Award.

🕑: 12:15 PM - 12:45 PM
Feedback, next steps and forthcoming workshops.
Host: Pauline Anderson OBE

Info: Education Expert. Chair of DfE Stakeholder Group for Gypsies Roma and Travellers and Chair of The Traveller Movement London. A proud Irish Traveller.

🕑: 12:45 PM - 01:00 PM
Looking back- moving forward. Thank you and reflections !
Host: Narinder Gill DfE RISE Adviser