April 2012

I hope you all had a great Easter and are ready for the summer term. At NATT+ it has been a very busy and productive February and March. We held our annual conference, launched this year’s Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month (GRTHM) competition and had discussions with Department for Education and the Children’s Commissioner.

The conference in Bournemouth was a huge success and the feedback from delegates was the best we have ever had. The speakers were all excellent and the content was of great value. The venue was excellent and great to be 'beside the seaside' for a few days.

The 2011 GRTHM competition book ‘ A Moment in Time’ was launched and has now been sent to 1,550 nominated schools – new and old. - It has also been sent to the winners and their schools. They are selling at a cost of £5.00 but are free to NATT+ members. There are only a small number remaining so please get in touch if you would like copies.

This year’s GRTHM competition looks very exciting and I am sure will be our best yet. The theme is the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and we have produced 8 postcards that look at Gypsy Roma and Traveller culture and lifestyle 60 years ago and today. Entrants will complete the postcards with stories, poems, collages, photographs, drawings or paintings inspired by the images on the cards. Over the Easter holiday NATT+ has sent sets of postcards to all nominated schools. There are some sets spare if anyone would like some. They’re a great resource to use in the classroom. Extra images and more details can be found on the NATT+ website.

Meetings with Angela Overington at the Department for Education and ACERT continue to be productive. Please take time to read ‘Improving outcomes in Gypsy, Roma and Traveller education’ which is part of the progress report by the ministerial working group on tackling inequalities experienced by Gypsies and Travellers. This document is on the website.

The Children’s Commissioner involvement was regarding the school exclusion inquiry report where Linda Lewins represented NATT in the Houses of Parliament in March. NATT+ involvement in this enquiry was much appreciated and we look forward to working with the Children’s Commissioner in the future.

Finally, a warm welcome will be extended to you all at the NATT+ AGM which takes place on the 15th May In Durham. We have put together a very interesting, professional and informative agenda and hope I will see you there.

Claire Lockwood