CHILDREN from Europe’s biggest illegal travellers’ site are pulling out of secondary schools because they are being bullied and discriminated against.

That is the view of travellers from the unauthorised Dale Farm site, Crays Hill, who say their children are now being educated at home rather than at school.

Children from the Dale Farm community started attending Bromfords School, Wickford, three years ago.

Essex County Council saw the move as a breakthrough as it is unusual for travellers to progress to secondary education.

Grattan Puxon, a campaigner for the site, said: “Unfortunately, children progressing to secondary school have been subject to bullying and discrimination from other pupils.

“This has led to them stopping going to school, or to their parents removing them.

“They are now being taught at home by county council tutors.”

Essex County Council spokesman Toby Allanson, said a “small number” of pupils from the Dale Farm community were still attending lessons.

He added that any allegation of bullying would be investigated.

He said: “Our primary concern is that children receive the appropriate level of secondary education – whether that is in school or via home education.

“Where unauthorised absences occur, as a result of bullying or otherwise, the council pursues the issue through casework or, where appropriate, the available legal channels.

“It would be inappropriate to discuss individual cases.”

He said when families opt out of school, the home education service monitors the provision and ensures standards are maintained.

No one from Bromfords returned the Echo’s calls for a comment.