Restorative Practices in Schools: Building Stronger Communities Through Connection
Discover how restorative practices transform school discipline, build positive student behaviour, and strengthen community connections through relationships.
Restorative practices in schools are an approach to discipline that focuses on repairing harm and rebuilding relationships rather than simply punishing misbehaviour. This method brings together students, teachers, and sometimes families to discuss conflicts openly, understand their impact, and work collaboratively towards solutions that strengthen the school community. Research from the RAND Corporation demonstrates the effectiveness of this approach, with schools implementing restorative practices seeing a 36% reduction in suspension days at the elementary level. But the true power of restorative practices extends far beyond discipline statistics, fundamentally transforming how schools handle conflict and build lasting connections.
Important context: The RAND Corporation study found the 36% reduction was concentrated in elementary grades; middle schools (grades 6-8) showed no significant reduction in suspensions. Academic outcomes did not improve and actually worsened for grades 6-8. Implementation typically requires 3-5 years.
This shift from punitive to restorative discipline represents more than a policy change. It fundamentally reimagines how address conflict, build relationships, and support student development through effective spiral curriculum design and scaffolding techniquesand pedagogical approaches, dialogic approaches, and teaching strategies.
Key Takeaways
- Restorative practices reduce exclusionary discipline by 36% in elementary grades, though academic outcomes showed mixed results
- Schools using restorative circles report stronger relationships between students, increased sense of community, and improved student progress
- Implementation requires four pillars: mindset shift, daily practices, restorative responses, and policy alignment
- Students of colour benefit particularly from restorative approaches, helping close achievement gaps
What Are Restorative Practices?
Restorative practices encompass proactive strategies for building structural-learning.com/post/cultural-capital'>social capital and reactive processes for addressing harm within the school community through dialogic teaching approaches. The approach prioritises repairing relationships over punishment, asking "What happened and how can we fix it?" rather than "Who's to blame and what's the punishment?"
The framework includes both preventative measures like community-building circles and responsive interventions such as when conflicts occur. This dual approach creates a comprehensive system for nurturing student wellbeing whilst effectively addressing behaviour management.
Core Principles of Restorative Justice in Education
Four interconnected values underpin the restorative approach:
Relationship forms the foundation, recognising that strong connections between students, staff, and families create the conditions for learning. Respect ensures every voice matters, particularly when addressing conflict. Responsibility encourages students to understand their impact on others without shame or blame. Repair focuses energy on healing harm rather than dispensing punishment.
These principles transform school discipline from a system of control to one of community accountability that supports social emotional learning.
Why Schools Need Restorative Approaches
Traditional disciplinary policies often fail to address underlying issues whilst creating new problems. The evidence for change is compelling.
The Hidden Costs of Exclusionary Discipline
Out-of-school suspensions remove students from learning, increasing dropout risk without teaching better behaviour. A University of Chicago Education Lab study found that punitive approaches particularly harm vulnerable students, widening existing achievement gaps rather than closing them.
Zero-tolerance policies create environments that undermine student engagement. Students report feeling less connected to school when discipline focuses solely on punishment, undermining the very inclusive environments necessary for academic success.
Addressing Inequity Through Restorative Practices
Data from West Virginia reveals that effective classroom management through restorative approaches particularly benefits students with special educational needs, helping to build resilience in students and develop crucial self regulation skills. This complete approach supports all learners while providing targeted feedback mechanisms for growth.
Addressing Inequity Through Restorative Practices
Data from West Virginia reveals st
udies reveal statistically significant disparities in disciplinary actions. Students of colour, particularly Black students, face disproportionately higher rates of suspension and expulsion. Restorative practices offer a pathway toward equity by addressing systemic biases, promoting understanding across cultures, and valuing every student's voice. This approach helps cultivate safer, more inclusive schools where all students can thrive.
Evidence from schools implementing restorative approaches shows significant improvements in both behaviour and academic outcomes. A study by the Institute for Restorative Practices found that schools using these methods experienced up to 50% reductions in suspensions whilst maintaining safer learning environments. This data challenges the common misconception that firm discipline requires exclusionary practices to be effective.
The limitations of traditional disciplinary measures become particularly evident when examining their long-term impact on the school community. Exclusions often push struggling students further away from educational support, creating educational gaps that are difficult to bridge. Meanwhile, students who remain in school may feel that their concerns about harm or conflict have been inadequately addressed, leading to ongoing tension and reduced sense of safety.
Restorative approaches provide practical alternatives through structured conversations, peer mediation, and community conferences that actively involve all stakeholders. These evidence-based strategies help schools address underlying issues such as trauma, social skills deficits, and communication barriers whilst strengthening the overall school culture. Rather than simply managing behaviour, these whole-school implementation strategies create opportunities for genuine learning and growth.
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Restorative practices succeed when schools embrace systemic change, integrating restorative values into every facet of school life, from classroom instruction to administrative decision-making. Four interconnected pillars support lasting transformation.
The Four Pillars of Successful Implementation
* **Mindset Shift:** Cultivate a shared understanding that prioritises relationships, empathy, and accountability over punishment. Provide ongoing professional development for staff, ensuring they understand the theory behind restorative justice. * **Daily Practices:** Incorporate restorative circles into daily routines, creating safe spaces for students to share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. These circles build community, creates empathy, and promote proactive problem-solving skills. * **Restorative Responses:** Develop consistent, fair, and restorative responses to harmful behaviour. These responses should focus on repairing harm, addressing the needs of both the victim and the offender, and rebuilding relationships. * **Policy Alignment:** Review existing school policies, ensuring they reflect restorative values. Revise zero-tolerance policies, focusing instead on restorative solutions.
Practical Steps for Schools
1. **Start Small:** Begin with pilot programmes in specific classrooms or grade levels. This allows you to test and refine your approach before scaling up. 2. **Invest in Training:** Provide comprehensive training for all staff members, including teachers, administrators, and support staff. Training should cover restorative principles, circle processes, and conflict resolution techniques. 3. **Engage Families:** Involve families in the restorative process, creating a shared understanding of restorative values. Offer workshops and training sessions for parents and guardians. 4. **Collect Data:** Track the impact of restorative practices on student behaviour, suspension rates, and school climate. Use data to inform ongoing improvement efforts. 5. **Celebrate Success:** Acknowledge and celebrate successes, highlighting the positive impact of restorative practices on the school community. Share stories of transformation and healing.
Types of Restorative Practices: From Circles to Conferences
Restorative practices encompass a diverse toolkit of approaches, each designed to strengthen relationships and address conflict constructively within the school community. Restorative circles serve as the foundation, bringing participants together in an equalised setting where every voice matters equally. These structured conversations can range from proactive community-building circles that celebrate achievements to responsive circles that address specific incidents of harm.
Restorative conferences represent a more formal intervention, typically involving those directly affected by serious incidents alongside their supporters. Research by Heather Strang demonstrates that participants in restorative conferences report higher satisfaction rates compared to traditional disciplinary measures. Meanwhile, peer mediation programmes helps students to facilitate resolution between their classmates, developing crucial conflict resolution skills whilst reducing staff workload.
The most effective whole-school implementation involves layering these approaches strategically. Daily classroom circles build the relational foundation, peer mediation addresses minor conflicts before escalation, and formal conferences tackle serious incidents requiring community healing. This graduated response ensures that restorative practices become embedded in everyday school culture rather than reserved solely for crisis management, creating sustainable solutions that strengthen the entire learning environment.
Building Capacity: Training Educators in Restorative Approaches
Successful implementation of restorative practices requires a comprehensive approach to professional development that goes beyond one-off training sessions. Research by Morrison and Vaandering emphasises that educators need sustained support to develop both the practical skills and mindset shifts necessary for authentic restorative work. Effective training programmes combine theoretical understanding with hands-on practice, allowing staff to experience restorative processes as participants before facilitating them with students.
The most impactful professional development models employ a gradual release approach, beginning with foundational concepts such as active listening and empathetic communication before progressing to more complex facilitation skills. Wachtel's research demonstrates that educators benefit from observing experienced practitioners, co-facilitating sessions, and receiving regular feedback on their developing practice. This scaffolded approach ensures that staff feel confident and competent when implementing restorative approaches independently.
Sustainable professional development requires ongoing support structures within the school community. Regular peer observation, reflective practice sessions, and access to coaching or mentoring help embed restorative principles into daily interactions. Schools that establish communities of practice, where educators can share experiences and problem-solve together, report higher levels of staff confidence and more consistent implementation across the organisation.
The Evidence Base: Research Supporting Restorative Practices
The research evidence supporting restorative practices in schools has grown substantially over the past two decades, with studies consistently demonstrating positive outcomes across multiple measures. Research by Morrison and Vaandering shows significant reductions in suspension rates, improved school climate, and enhanced student engagement when restorative approaches are implemented systematically. Schools implementing whole-school restorative practices report decreases in exclusions of up to 40%, whilst simultaneously seeing improvements in academic achievement and student wellbeing.
Particularly compelling is the longitudinal research from organisations like the International Institute for Restorative Practices, which demonstrates that the benefits of restorative approaches extend beyond immediate behavioural improvements. Studies tracking students over multiple years reveal enhanced emotional regulation, stronger peer relationships, and improved conflict resolution skills that persist long after initial implementation. The evidence consistently shows that students in restorative schools develop greater empathy and social awareness, essential skills for success in both academic and personal contexts.
For education professionals considering implementation, the research provides clear guidance on effective practice. Evidence suggests that successful programmes require comprehensive staff training, consistent leadership support, and gradual implementation across all school contexts. Schools achieving the strongest outcomes treat restorative practices not as an additional programme, but as a fundamental shift in how the entire school community approaches relationships and conflict resolution.
Overcoming Challenges in Restorative Practice Implementation
Implementing restorative practices across a whole school community often encounters predictable barriers that can derail even the most well-intentioned efforts. Research by Morrison and Vaandering highlights that surface-level adoption without genuine commitment to relationship-building principles frequently leads to inconsistent application and staff resistance. Common challenges include time constraints, scepticism from educators accustomed to punitive approaches, and the misconception that restorative practices are simply another behaviour management technique rather than a fundamental shift in school culture.
Successful implementation requires systematic preparation and ongoing support rather than isolated training sessions. Evidence from schools with sustained restorative programmes demonstrates that gradual introduction, beginning with enthusiastic early adopters, creates positive momentum throughout the organisation. Leadership must model restorative principles in staff interactions, whilst providing regular opportunities for reflection and skill development. Creating dedicated time for circle processes and restorative conversations, even brief five-minute check-ins, helps normalise these practices within the school day.
Building sustainable solutions involves addressing staff concerns through transparent communication and celebrating small victories along the implementation journey. When educators witness improved relationships and reduced conflict firsthand, initial resistance typically transforms into advocacy. Schools report greatest success when they view challenges as learning opportunities, maintaining focus on long-term community building rather than expecting immediate behavioural compliance.
Conclusion: Building a Brighter Future Through Connection
Restorative practices in schools represent a fundamental shift in how we approach discipline and build community. By prioritising relationships, empathy, and accountability, schools can create safer, more inclusive learning environments where all students can thrive. This approach not only reduces exclusionary discipline but also creates a sense of belonging, promotes social-emotional learning, and supports academic success. The journey towards restorative justice is not without its challenges. It requires a sustained commitment to training, collaboration, and systemic change. However, the potential rewards are significant: stronger relationships between students and staff, improved school climate, and a more equitable learning environment for all. As schools embrace restorative practices, they pave the way for a brighter future, one where every student feels valued, supported, and helped to reach their full potential.
Implementation success depends on viewing restorative practices as a whole-school approach rather than isolated interventions. Schools that achieve the most significant improvements typically begin with staff training and relationship-building before introducing formal restorative processes. This foundation ensures that when challenges arise, the school community has already established the trust and communication skills necessary for effective resolution. Practical starting points include introducing circle time in form groups, training key staff in restorative conversations, and developing clear protocols that prioritise repair over punishment.
The ripple effects of restorative practices extend far beyond individual incidents, creating cultures where conflict becomes an opportunity for learning and growth. Students develop emotional intelligence, conflict resolution skills, and a stronger sense of belonging - capabilities that serve them well beyond their school years. For school leaders considering this transformation, the evidence is clear: sustainable solutions to behavioural challenges lie not in stronger sanctions, but in stronger relationships and more effective communication throughout the entire school community.
Further Reading
For further academic research on this topic:
* Gonzalez, T. (2015). *Restorative justice in the classroom: Transforming the conflict cycle*. Corwin Press. * Hopkins, B. (2004). *Restorative justice in schools*. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. * Lewis, T. J., & Sugai, G. (1999). Effective behaviour support: A systems approach to proactive schoolwide management. *Intervention in School and Clinic*, *34*(5), 258-266. * Morrison, B. E., Blood, P., & Thorsborne, M. (2005). Practising restorative justice in schools as a human process. *Journal of Educational Administration*, *43*(6), 582-597. * Wachtel, T. (2016). *Defining restorative*. International Institute for Restorative Practices.These resources offer evidence-based approaches that support sustainable solutions within your school community. The recommended books provide practical frameworks for building relationships and implementing restorative circles, conflict resolution processes, and peer mediation programmes. Professional development organisations offer structured training that helps education professionals develop confidence in facilitating restorative conversations and creating inclusive classroom environments.
When exploring these resources, focus on materials that align with your school's specific context and needs. Look for case studies from similar educational settings and practical approaches that can be adapted for your student population. Many resources include implementation guides, assessment tools, and strategies for engaging parents and carers in the restorative process. Building connections with other schools using restorative practices can provide ongoing support and shared learning opportunities for whole-school implementation.
