The importance of restorative practices in the classroom

In recent years, the UK education system has been facing significant challenges particularly around pupil behaviour, suspensions and exclusions. With the new academic year fast approaching, now is the time to get ahead creating a plan of action and resources to support pupils coming back to school and those who are just starting. This article will discuss restorative practices and how to implement them in the classroom to support pupil behaviour.

The 5 Rs of Restorative Practices

Restorative Practices are ones that focus on repairing relationships and correcting harm. They focus on 5 main principles:

Relationship

Restorative practices focus on cultivating healthy relationships and aim to repair any damage caused to those relationships by conflict or harm.

Respect

To ensure all parties feel supported and valued throughout the process, it’s crucial that each part is done with respect for all that are involved.

Responsibility

Those who have caused harm must take responsibility for their actions and understand the impact their actions have had on others.

Repair

Restorative practices aim to repair the harm caused by conflict or wrongdoing to help support those impacted and restore their sense of balance.

Reintegration

The final goal of restorative practices is reintegration. In the context of a classroom, it could be by helping a pupil return to learning after suspension or even reintegrating back into a friend group after a falling out.

What is a restorative classroom toolkit?

A restorative classroom toolkit is one that is built on the foundation of the 5 Rs, with a goal to foster positive relationships, manage conflict and promote accountability among students. It includes tools and strategies for building community, facilitating communication, and addressing harm in a restorative manner. The toolkit can include activities, restorative questions, visual aids and resources for educators.

How to implement restorative practices in your classroom

While there are many strategies and techniques that can be included in a restorative classroom toolkit, it’s vital to consider your own unique classroom situation and pick elements that are right for your pupils. If you are returning to the same pupils for a second year you might already have an idea of what works for your pupils and more importantly, what doesn’t.

If not, starting the year with some ice breaker activities and one-to-one conversations with your pupils. Focus those not just on surface level introduction but work to get to know your pupils and how they like to work and communicate to figure out what tools are right for your pupils.

Alternative Provision as a restorative tool

Alternative Provision (AP) are educational placements that are outside of mainstream schools. These are arranged by the school or a local authority to support pupils for cannot attend mainstream schools for various reasons. Many of the young people who come to AP settings have been suspended or permanently excluded from mainstream school.

AP settings work with restorative practices in mind, working to cultivate relationships with the pupils and helping them to develop and learn in a way that fits their own unique situation. For many pupils in AP settings, the main goal is to reintegrate them back into mainstream education closing the loop on their restorative journey.

By utilising AP settings and techniques, schools can help to support pupils who have difficulty in the classroom, making use of AP as a resource to support pupils who are showing warning sigs of being excluded, rather than a last resort after a pupil has been permanently excluded.

LMP Action’s Alternative Provision

LMP Action is experienced in delivering support to young people to help them reintegrate into mainstream education by using restorative practice, specialist programmes, vocational qualifications and core subject learning where attending mainstream education is not suitable. Our alternative provision encompasses inclusion, restoration and self-awareness practices. Harnessing personal responsibility and growth to support and develop young people.

Our nationwide provision is innovative, and we are experienced in delivering support to help young people stay in mainstream education and specialist programmes, vocational qualifications and mentoring where mainstream education is not suitable.

If you are interested in discussing how LMP Action’s AP can support your school, book a discovery call with the AP team today!