STEP KNowledge exchange centre
We support education leaders, practitioners, and families to ensure that education is accessible, culturally-sustaining and has the highest expectations for all children and young people from traditionally nomadic cultures in Scotland.
Families
Practitioners
Children & young People
About STEP
STEP is funded by the Scottish Government Equalities and Human Rights and Learning Directorates to support equitable access to education for traditionally nomadic communities. We have three main work streams:
1. Policy influence: Ensuring policy makers know more about the issues and incorporate that knowledge into their policies and plans.
2.Education programmes: Working with local authorities, community members and partners to deliver programmes that address barriers to participation via culturally-sustaining approaches, information sharing and knowledge-informed empowerment.
3. Professional learning: We promote and support anti-racist education. We work with local authorities, MHSES ITE, and the Traveller Education Network (TENET, Scotland) to improve cultural awareness, racial literacy and strengthen inclusive policy and practice.
research and impact
Sustaining and producing cultural realities
Our ‘Sustaining and producing cultural realities’ research explores how young people from nomadic communities can use digital art to experiment with representations of their cultures and identities. Find out more here.
The School Pledge for Gypsy/Traveller and Roma communities
The School Pledge is part of Scottish Government’s Gypsy/Traveller Action Plan. The Pledge is a commitment by schools to improve access, experiences and outcomes for nomadic communities. Find out more here.
Digital Transitions for flexible learning and positive destinations
This programme supports positive transitions through a physical ‘Digital Sack’ and virtual toolkit. This flexible model allows pupils to engage with education while sustaining their culture and ways of being. Find out more here.
What's new?
STEP and Trails of Tales book publishing project 2026
– information for families-
-Children’s rights resources-
The views and experiences of children and young people from travelling communities can tell us much about the barriers that exist within our education system. Hear what these young people have to say in our Young Voices project.
Article 28 Your right to an education
Article 2 Non-discrimination
Article 42 Knowledge of rights
Starter Sacks continue to impact Gypsy/Traveller families
Starter Sacks distributed
Participating local authorities
Families impacted
Digital Transitions programme great success
Pieces of digital hardware distributed
Participating local authorities
Young people impacted
STEP EVENTS
STEP events are free and accessible to all involved in the delivery of education for traditionally nomadic communities. Tap on each event to find out more or join a live session.