Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what data her Department holds on the provision of training courses specifically on preventing discrimination against Gypsy, Roma and Traveller families to teaching staff; and whether her Department requires teachers to complete such training.

The Department does not hold data on specific training courses on preventing discrimination against Gypsy, Roma and Traveller families.

All teachers must satisfy the Teachers’ Standards throughout their careers. To be awarded Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), trainees must demonstrate that they meet all of the Teachers’ Standards at the appropriate level. Section 2 of the Teachers’ Standards is clear that teachers must treat all pupils with dignity, building relationships rooted in mutual respect and show tolerance and respect for the rights of others.

Once teachers achieve QTS, they enter into two years of funded support through the Early Career Framework, which requires early career teachers to be trained and supported to develop their understanding of maintaining fair and inclusive school environments.

Once a teacher is qualified, head teachers are responsible for ensuring their workforce has appropriate training to meet the needs of all pupils, which is in line with the Department’s position on school autonomy and head teachers being best placed to assess the needs of their pupils and workforce.