Education Q&A – December 2024

Children complain when they are kept in for restorative meetings, especially if all students are kept in because of the actions of a few. What should I do? (Tia, Languages Teacher) 

Successful Restorative Practice 

Restorative practice is a powerful tool in creating a positive and supportive school environment.  

To help young people reflect effectively, getting them into the routine of responding to six key prompts can make all the difference.  

A successful restorative meeting doesn't need to be long or involve many people.  

In fact, the best ones are concise, lasting just 10 minutes, and involve only the classroom or pastoral teacher and the child.  

This approach ensures that the process is focused, efficient, and meaningful for both the student and the educator. 

Two things to consider here: 

1. Students being punished for the behaviour of someone else 

1. Recognising the student does not want to be in these meetings and feeding that into the dialogue 

Fairness in Keeping Students In 

Never Keep the Whole Class for One's Behaviour: This is a fundamental principle. It’s simply not fair to penalise an entire class for the actions of a few. This can breed resentment and reduce the effectiveness of restorative practices. 

Instead, focus on addressing the behaviour of the individuals involved. Have restorative meetings with only those who need it and ensure the rest of the class understands that collective punishment isn’t the approach. 

How to Implement This: 

• Individual Accountability: Hold meetings only with the students who were directly involved in the incident. This keeps the focus on personal responsibility. 

• Clear Communication: Let the class know that only those involved will stay behind. Explain that this is to ensure fairness and that everyone’s time is respected. 

Using Complaints as a Learning Opportunity 

Incorporate Feedback into Dialogue: When students complain about the restorative process, it’s a great opportunity to involve them in finding solutions. 

Their feedback can be incredibly valuable in understanding how to prevent future incidents. 

How to Approach This: 

• Open the Conversation: When students express their frustration, acknowledge their feelings. Say something like, “I hear you. I understand it’s frustrating to be kept in. Let’s talk about how we can avoid this in the future.” 

• Collaborative Problem-Solving: Use their complaints as a springboard for dialogue. Ask them for suggestions on how to improve behaviour and prevent incidents that lead to restorative meetings. 

• Empower Students: By involving them in the solution-making process, you empower them to take ownership of their actions and the classroom environment. 

By ensuring fairness and using student complaints as constructive feedback, you can create a more positive and effective approach to restorative practice in your classroom. 

This not only addresses the immediate concerns but also helps build a stronger, more respectful classroom community in the long run.