We are a Restorative Justice School

The aim of Restorative Justice is to develop community and to manage conflict and tensions, by repairing harm and building relationships. At Eyke, our priority is to foster the qualities required to build effective relationships between each other, our families and the wider community. Restorative practises offer children the opportunity to take responsibility for their actions. They separate the ‘Deed’ from the ‘Doer’. It is about recognising that different choices can be made, helping children to recognise their worth and the potential contributions they can make to their communities.

Restorative Justice is a process that encourages children to reflect upon their actions and consider how they may have impacted upon others. The practice makes repairing harm done to relationships and people, more important than assigning blame and dispensing punishment. It shifts the emphasis from managing behaviour to focussing on building, nurturing and repairing relationships.

A whole school restorative approach supports our Christian values, with a particular focus on Respect and Compassion, and contributes to:

1. A happier and safer school
2. Mutually respectful relationships
3. More effective teaching and learning
4. Raised attendance
5. Reduction in bullying behaviour
6. Raised morale and self esteem
7. Promotion of a culture of inclusion and belonging
8. An increase in emotional literacy

As part of the process, children and staff can be involved in circle time conversations, meetings and assemblies that focus on nurturing positive relationships. When conversations need to be had, following an incident in school, children will be asked to reflect, using the following five RP questions:

1. What happened?
2. What were you thinking about at the time?
3. What do you think now?
4. Who else has been affected by what you did?
5. What do you think needs to happen to make things right?

Inappropriate behaviour is challenged in a controlled way, with children being given the opportunity to express their emotions freely and take responsibility. The onus will be on them to consider how to move forward positively and repair any damaged relationships that may have resulted. The aim is for all meetings to have a positive outcome.

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All staff are committed to the philosophy of  Restorative Justice and have had initial training on how to hold restorative meetings with children of all year groups, throughout the school.