ABSTRACT
Drawing on recent international developments in criminal justice, Restorative Approaches to Conflict in Schools highlights the long-term ineffectiveness of punitive models of discipline in education contexts and examines an alternative approach, underpinned by the principles of restorative justice. This approach provides an opportunity for adults and young people to engage with a range of processes such as group conferencing and peer mediation, whereby:
- conflict and harm are confronted and repaired;
- a future rather than past orientation is developed;
- relationships are built upon the values and attitudes of respect, inclusion and equality;
- pupils learn inter-personal and problem solving skills as well as social responsibility;
- staff develop skills and confidence in working restoratively;
- the risk of future/repeat problems is minimised; and
- a positive school ethos is developed.
These approaches have proven to be highly effective in criminal justice systems around the world, and are beginning to be applied more widely in educational contexts. This edited volume draws together for the first time contributions from an interdisciplinary field of international experts and practitioners on the subject, and offers both critique and guidance in order that the implementation of restorative approaches in schools may be undertaken thoughtfully and sustainably. This exciting new text will be a key reference book for locating contemporary, international and inter-disciplinary debate in the field.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
chapter 1|8 pages
Contextualised, contested and catalytic
part I|85 pages
Contextualised
chapter Chapter 3|9 pages
The journey from criminal justice to education
chapter Chapter 6|8 pages
Merging past and present? Conflict resolution in South African township schools
chapter Chapter 7|16 pages
A restorative challenge
chapter Chapter 9|12 pages
Reflections on researching restorative approaches in schools and children's residential care
part II|62 pages
Contested
chapter Chapter 10|12 pages
Restoration, transformation or education?
chapter Chapter 11|14 pages
Critical perspectives on restorative justice/restorative approaches in educational settings
chapter Chapter 12|9 pages
Beyond the bad apple
chapter Chapter 13|10 pages
Challenges to education
part III|112 pages
Catalytic?