Restoring order to the classroom (From Oxford Mail)

Restoring order to the classroom

7:00am Wednesday 8th October 2008 in

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THE headteacher of a school where no punishments are imposed on its pupils — no matter what they have done — has called for restorative justice to be introduced at struggling mainstream schools.

Oxford's Iffley Mead School does not suspend or expel its pupils.

Instead, they sit down and talk about their actions and the impact they have on others.

At Iffley Mead School: •If a child brings a knife into school the pupil will sit down with a teacher and discuss the reason for doing so •If a child assaults a member of staff, the pupil and teacher are encouraged to sit down and work together to build up a positive relationship •If pupils cause vandalism, they research how the damage can be fixed and contribute towards costs with pocket money •A 16-year-old boy caught smoking in school drew up a contract signed by him and his parents allowing him to bring tobacco into school — but not to smoke it on the premises.

Restorative justice aims to get to the causes of issues to ensure pupils face up to the consequences of their actions, rather than being immediately punished.

Last night parents and teachers across Oxfordshire cautiously welcomed the approach as another way of tackling misbehaviour at school.

Sixty per cent of youngsters at Iffley Mead School have profound behavioural problems and one in five has been expelled from other schools.

All have learning difficulties of varying degrees.

But in the past five years, no child has been expelled or suspended — and attendance has risen from 85 to 94 per cent.

In mainstream schools in Oxfordshire in 2007/08, 66 pupils were expelled.

Iffley Mead headteacher Kay Willett said: "Every one of my students has the potential to blow up, so the time it takes to work with all of them is enormous.

"But in a mainstream school, you will have a high percentage of well-behaved pupils who won't present you with any problems who could work as advocates and role models.

"Children there would also better understand the consequences of their actions and the whole process, so it would work even better."

Diane Dodson, 47, from Boundary Brook Road, said her 13-year-old son Jack's behaviour had improved hugely since he started at Iffley Mead last year.

She said: "I am very happy with the way they deal with discipline because I have seen two sides of the coin.

"At mainstream schools they don't deal with the issues, it's just detentions and suspensions."

Katherine Ryan, headteacher at Matthew Arnold School in Botley, said: "It can be very effective, but it has to work hand-in-hand alongside a clear system of sanctions and praise."

Wheatley Park School headteacher Kate Curtis said: "We are very enthusiastic about the system and find for many cases it is a very powerful tool in resolving conflict and supporting youngsters in moving forwards.

"But ultimately schools have to be safe places and there have to be times when a young person reaches the end of the line and has to move on."

Chris Bryan, the headteacher of St Birinus School, Didcot, said: "It is a strategy we would want to use in terms of bringing both parties together. We don't want to think of it as a substitute for normal sanctions but just another strategy."

"But it needs to be highly-skilled, trained people leading the process because you are dealing with sensitive issues."

A pilot scheme has been carried out in Bristol and Merseyside with a view to rolling it out nationwide if successful.

Oxfordshire County Council's youth offending team manager Peter Wallis said: "Those schools which have embedded restorative principles and practices have found the culture of the school has become safer and happier with less conflict and better outcomes for pupils."

County councillor Michael Waine, cabinet member for schools improvement, said: "Legally we do not have the power to direct all schools to take a specific course of action.

"Even if we did, it is likely we would take a horses-for-courses approach with headteachers having the latitude to decide what is best for their own school and its particular circumstances."

Mother-of-five Sonia Denmark, from Falcon Close, Blackbird Leys, said she already made her children write letters of apology if they misbehaved.

She added: "Lots of children would prefer to have the day off school so that's not a punishment. This would be much better."

Carmel Ryan, 43, of Balfour Road, said: "I think it is a brilliant idea. Kids think 'great' when they get sent home.

"Perhaps children could also sign contracts where if they mess up, they lose privileges."

But Richard Mayhew, of Normandy Crescent, said: "If my son did something I would make him apologise, but it depends on what is the best thing.

"It could be an easy way out, sometimes kids need a bit of punishment."

Amy's story

Amy Clare, 15, from Barton, was expelled from Cherwell School three years ago for physically assaulting a teacher.

Now she is deputy head girl at Iffley Mead.

She said: "Before, when I misbehaved they excluded me, now, after I have calmed down we talk to each other and unpick what happened.

"I feel angry with myself after coming out of it because I could have hurt someone. It has helped me understand when I am doing wrong."

Kenza's story

Kenza Lamptey, 14, from Kidlington, was excluded from Gosford Hill and Cherwell school and has been at Iffley Mead for ten months.

She said: "I really didn't like school but, since I have been here, I do.

"I still sometimes have fights and say things to teachers that I shouldn't, then I have to say sorry to the person and sometimes stay in and do things with them.

"In the past, they only listened to one side of the story and I have always been the bad girl, but in this school they listen to both sides."