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New Ofsted report identifies case studies of good practice and makes a number of recommendations

Effective integration into schools and an uninterrupted education are the keys to improving the progress of Roma pupils, says an Ofsted report published today.

‘Overcoming barriers: ensuring that Roma children are fully engaged and achieving in education’ summarises how a number of schools and local authorities have been working to meet the needs of Roma children from Eastern Europe. It found a strong commitment to improving the engagement and achievement of Roma children, but also identified challenges in supporting pupils who were new to speaking English and who had little prior experience of formal education.

Through its survey of three local authorities and 11 schools that had experienced a significant rise in the number of Roma pupils from Eastern Europe, the report also identifies case studies of good practice and makes a number of recommendations for local authorities, schools and the Department for Education.

Sean Harford, Ofsted National Director, Schools, said:

“This report sets out to provide an accurate assessment of the barriers to educational engagement and attainment that Roma pupils experience, as well as the specific challenges faced by particular schools and local authorities in supporting pupils.

“Through this report, we also identify the strategies that are being employed successfully by local authorities and schools to support Roma pupils.”

Notes to editors

1. The Ofsted report, Overcoming barriers: ensuring that Roma children are fully engaged and achieving in education, is published online.
2. The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages in England. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.
3. Media can contact the Ofsted Press Office through 0300 130 415 or via Ofsted’s enquiry line 0300 123 1231, between 8.30am to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday. Out of these hours, during evenings and weekends, the duty press officer can be reached on 07919 057 359.