Celebrating Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month in June

June marks Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) History Month (GRTHM 2026), a time to recognise and celebrate the rich histories, cultures and contributions of GRT communities, while also raising awareness of the barriers many pupils still face in education.

We encourage all schools to take part by: 

• Including GRT history, culture and stories in lessons and assemblies 
• Celebrating positive role models and contributions from GRT communities 
• Creating inclusive assemblies, displays or activities led by GRT pupils 

There are a range of resources, lesson ideas and activities available online to support you. Taking part is a great opportunity to promote equality, challenge stereotypes and ensure all pupils feel seen and valued. 

What can we do as a school? 

We understand that schools are busy and that many already celebrate Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month each year. To support you, we've included links below to a range of resources and activities to help you plan and take part. 

The GRT Service

The GRT Service has created a GRT Cultural Resources Padlet that provides a wide range of culturally reflective 'ready-made' activities for schools. These can be used during GRT History Month and throughout the year to help embed GRT history and culture into the curriculum.  Cultural loan boxes can also be provided to further support your teaching. 

The GRT Service also has developed pre-prepared school assemblies, designed to support the Flourish strand of 'Family', exploring the theme 'What Does Family Mean to Me?' 

• Resources for KS1 and 2: assembly PowerPoint and teacher guide. 
• Resources for KS3 and 4: assembly PowerPoint and teacher guide. 

The University of Sunderland

The University of Sunderland is hosting a free Storytelling and Song Interactive Online Masterclass open to all Primary Schools for Years 4-6, with Romany storyteller Richard O'Neill MBE and songwriter George Hoyle who will be exploring how music is created, produced and communicated while celebrating the rich and diverse literary heritage of GRT communities.  This will be held on Wednesday 3 June at 9.30-10.30am on Microsoft Teams. 

Friends, Families and Travellers

Friends, Families and Travellers have produced an Educational Pack for schools and their theme for this year is "Onwards With Hope", encouraging thoughts on what kind of future we want to build together. Their resources include a downloadable timeline of significant dates in GRT history, 5 ways your classroom can join in with GRTHM 2026, suggested activities for different age groups, guidance on marking GRTHM such as books to read, activities to try and what to watch, and, lastly, a competition asking children across the UK to think about what gives us hope and 'what do you want the future to look like for you?', and to think creatively when considering the theme, songs, poems, drawings - anything creative will be accepted! The deadline for the competition is 12 June; entries should be sent to [email protected] 

The GRT Service hopes you all enjoy celebrating this year's GRT History Month.  For more information, please email [email protected].