Closing The Gap
This category was restricted to Education Authorities and their partner organisations. Through specific projects, entrants were required to demonstrate effective organisation and management of schools or service to tackle deprivation, raise achievement and increase success for all pupils or vulnerable groups.
Winner:
Runners-up:
Gypsy and Traveller Education (GATE) Support Service, Fife Council
The Choices Programme, West Dunbartonshire Council
North Ayrshire Council
Gypsy and Traveller Education (GATE) Support Service, Fife Council
The project had identified strategies that help gypsy and traveller pupils in schools across Fife feel they and their culture are valued in local communities. It motivates young gypsies and travellers to attend school and raise their levels of achievement.
Displays of positive images - books and posters - in the schools and in the curriculum have helped promote an appreciation of gypsy and traveller culture. A slide show was created to take pupils on a virtual visit to a gypsy and traveller site.
As a result of the work of GATE, attendance has improved and travellers returning to a particular school say they feel welcome. Crucially, some of the families have enough confidence to approach schools with minimum support from GATE.
Awards ceremonyAwards ceremony 
After show interviewAfter show interview
Frances Sutherland, St Joseph's, Kelty
Celebration of diversity involving traveller and settled childrenCelebration of diversity involving traveller and settled childrenAppreciating that differences are goodAppreciating that differences are goodWelcoming travelling young people into the school enriched the lives of the settled children in the schoolWelcoming travelling young people into the school enriched the lives of the settled children in the school
Diane, Traveller
The GATE project is a means to promote the interests of travellers all over ScotlandThe GATE project is a means to promote the interests of travellers all over ScotlandThe GATE project offers a chance for travellers to get their message across to settled young peopleThe GATE project offers a chance for travellers to get their message across to settled young peopleExperience of being a traveller talking to young children in a primary schoolExperience of being a traveller talking to young children in a primary schoolImportance of young travellers getting opportunities to learn away from the fear of name callingImportance of young travellers getting opportunities to learn away from the fear of name callingImportance of the videos showing aspects of the travellers' lifeImportance of the videos showing aspects of the travellers' lifeThe value of new technology such as the Internet to put across the travellers' messageThe value of new technology such as the Internet to put across the travellers' messageThe life of travellers is far better now than it was in the pastThe life of travellers is far better now than it was in the pastTraveller children now enjoy their time in school because of the work of the GATE projectTraveller children now enjoy their time in school because of the work of the GATE project
Carol Pride, Headteacher, Lochgelly West Primary
The school and its catchmentThe school and its catchmentThe place of gypsy traveller children in the schoolThe place of gypsy traveller children in the schoolThe GATE support service and the school's aimsThe GATE support service and the school's aimsAssessment is for Learning project 10Assessment is for Learning project 10Sustaining the challenge for video assessmentSustaining the challenge for video assessmentBenefits to the school from the presence of gypsy travellersBenefits to the school from the presence of gypsy travellersMeasuring success with gypsy traveller childrenMeasuring success with gypsy traveller childrenThe GATE project led to other explorationsThe GATE project led to other explorationsDigital video and communications with othersDigital video and communications with others
David Watson, Support Service Manager, Fife Council
Background to the GATE support serviceBackground to the GATE support serviceBreaking down barriers between travelling and settled communitiesBreaking down barriers between travelling and settled communitiesResourcing the gypsy traveller support serviceResourcing the gypsy traveller support serviceTeaching and learning for the gypsy travellersTeaching and learning for the gypsy travellersPortraying the culture of gypsy travellersPortraying the culture of gypsy travellersGATE as part of the wider inclusion policies in FifeGATE as part of the wider inclusion policies in FifeGATE as a precursor for dealing with other incomersGATE as a precursor for dealing with other incomersSuccess criteria for the GATE support serviceSuccess criteria for the GATE support serviceEncouragement of assimilation by staffEncouragement of assimilation by staffResource levels allocated to GATE support serviceResource levels allocated to GATE support service
Ingrid Todd & Gillian Cameron, Gypsy and Traveller Education
The practicalities of the work of the GATE support serviceThe practicalities of the work of the GATE support serviceThe role of the GATE support service for learningThe role of the GATE support service for learningSupporting learners in secondary schoolsStrategies for dealing with staff in secondary schoolsThe time keeping traditions of gypsy travellersThe time keeping traditions of gypsy travellersInnovative ways of assessing gypsy traveller childrenInnovative ways of assessing gypsy traveller childrenThe use of video for assessmentThe use of video for assessmentQualifications are more important for gypsy travellersQualifications are more important for gypsy travellersThe major challenges of disrupted schoolingThe major challenges of disrupted schoolingContextualisation of learning for gypsy travellersContextualisation of learning for gypsy travellersAssessment for additional support needsAssessment for additional support needsA conducive whole school environment for gypsy travellersA conducive whole school environment for gypsy travellersThe use of video/audio for recording school experienceThe use of video/audio for recording school experience
