Implementing Restorative Practice in Schools: A Practical Guide to Transforming School Communities

by Margaret Thorsborne

Restorative practice is a proven approach to discipline in schools that favours relationships over retribution, and has been shown to improve behaviour and enhance teaching and learning outcomes. However, in order for it to work, restorative practice needs a relational school culture.

Implementing Restorative Practice in Schools explains what has to happen in a school in order for it to become truly restorative. Section 1 explains the potential of restorative practice in schools, describing the positive outcomes for students and teachers. It also outlines the measures that need to be in place in order to embed restorative practice. Section 2 examines the process of understanding and managing change, providing realistic and pragmatic guidance on the practical and emotional barriers that may be encountered. Finally, Section 3 provides in eight practical steps, strategic guidance for achieving a restorative culture that sticks. Featuring useful pro formas and templates, this book will be an indispensable guide for educators, administrators and school leaders in mainstream and specialist settings.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction

232 pages, Paperback

First published August 28, 2013

Reviews

[Tracey King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy a book that shares a different way of looking at life. This is a refreshing way of coping with more and more children that enter our society with a different way of looking at the world and can not cope with the norm of society. It is refreshing to have such a practical guide on how to change the ethos of a school and this can be hard. I have worked in many different schools and I find in the last year this book has become my bible. However getting people to think in a different way and change their habits around children is very hard and can sometimes feel like an up hill battle. In the end it is worth it for the children and life becomes richer for you, them and everyone around you. Waiting and hoping is a hard thing to do when you've already been waiting and hoping for almost as long as you can remember but in the end our new society will be richer for this new out look. This is why we all need to open our minds to the restorative skills in this book.

[Michelle (driftingsong) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was boring, it was dry, but also kind of necessary if you are thinking of implementing a restorative practice policy in a school and actually having it stick. The book did out what it set out to do. Did I "enjoy" it, not really, but then again it was fine for what it was and achieved it's purpose.

[Marie Amaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very practical and realistic about the journey schools undertake when implementing a restorative approach to behaviour management.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really about how to implement change in a school and breaks down managing the personalities in a school in a really clear way.