Holy Cross  School in Bransley is the lead school for Gypsy, Romany,Travellers  (GRT) children in the area.

Placement Information:

The school consist of a Nursery, Infants and juniors were the children are aged between three to eleven years old, the Nursery playground is separate to the other children's playground. The environment were the children learn is a friendly and relaxed  atmosphere which is aided by the staff and the children working together. Outside the children have a grass area with a small wood  also a quite area this allows the children to play and socialise .The school values a religious belief by having creative worship and praying before dinner and going home at night which is really nice. The school is a multicultural school were children are from different country's and backgrounds but  all are respected and treated equally. The staff are friendly to approach and are willing to help in any way they can. The school as different student's attending from university and college all year round. 

In September 2012 the school is joining with another school to make Holy Trinity school at the moment it is still being built but will be ready for first day of term in September. 

This placement is really usefully if studying GRT  as the school enables the student to work closely with the children. There is also information avilable from the teachers and with people which work closely with the famliy's. 

Holy Cross School (2012) The GRT Children on a Bowling trip [photograph] Barnsley.

Accommodation: 

There is many differnet types of accommodation which are in Barnsley the one which is in the centre is the Premier Inn on Sackville street. The other one is the Holiday inn which is located on Barnsley Road, Dodworth this is just as you get off the motorway at Jct37. h

Transport:

To arrive at the placement you can drive as there is a car park for staff or if you are stopping at the Premier Inn there is a bus to the placement from the bus station. However if you are stopping at the Holiday Inn it would take two buses to arrive at the placement.

Social Life:

In the town centre there is many pub's and club's to go drinking and socialising day and night. On Wednesday's it is student night and at the weekend the town if always partying. The Toby Carvery is great if looking for some thing to eat, this is at Jct37, Dodworth. If looking for a good Indian then it's The Curry Mahal in Dodworth or if looking for a family type pub then it would have to be the Station on the high street of Dodworth.

 Things to do:

There is Cannon Hall to visit and Wentworth Castle. If you like walking there is lovely country side to see. In the town centre there is lots of shops and markets every day apart from Thursday. 

Useful Contacts:

Holy Cross School

Miss Vicki Deaves  01226 281951

Before you go:

Contact the school  before hand so you can go and talk to the staff  which will then allow them to give you full support in what you are studying and for them to organise where would best for you to be on your placement. Have questions ready to ask and read up on the country which you are studying before you start placement. Learn about any value which need to be respected before hand.  The most important thing is to be ready to be part of a team and to be willing to help.