What financial support is given to support Gypsy and Traveller education?
Schools receive funding for Gypsy and Traveller children in the same way as they do for all other children on the school roll, through the Education Formula Spending Share (EFSS). In addition, Gypsy and Traveller children also benefit from the Vulnerable Children Grant (VCG). From April 2003 the Vulnerable Children Grant merged several Standards Fund Grants, including the Traveller Achievement Grant and made available £84 million – a substantial increase on the grants it replaces which totalled £31m in 2002. For 2005-2006 the Vulnerable Children’s grant remains at £84 million. The VCG grant allows LAs to allocate funding based on local needs in order to provide support to a range of vulnerable children, including those from Gypsy and Traveller backgrounds. Funding for Gypsy and Traveller children, via the VCG mainly goes to the Traveller Education Support Services (TESS) whose staff work closely with their LAs and schools to help improve levels of school attendance and raise the awaren
