Skip to main content

Abstract

Research suggests that restorative approaches in schools can challenge and change troubled and troublesome behaviour and school climate overall. This chapter outlines the key elements of a restorative approach in education. First, it presents a review of recent research. The chapter then examines key themes in school-based restorative strategy and practices, the use of restorative language, and engagement with young people, parents, and community. From there, it moves on to discuss the key questions for school security, surveillance, and punishment raised by restorative approaches, before pointing finally to the importance of the emerging focus on a new critical theory of restorative approaches.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • American Psychological Association Zero Tolerance Task Force. (2008). Are zero tolerance policies effective in schools? American Psychologist, 63(9), 852–862.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amstutz, L. S., & Mullet, J. H. (2005). The little book of restorative discipline for schools. Intercourse: Good Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong, T. (2006). Canaries in the coal mine: The symptoms of children labelled ADHD as bio-cultural feedback. In G. Lloyd, J. Stead, & D. Cohen (Eds.), Critical new perspectives on ADHD (pp. 34–43). London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Black, C., Chamberlain, V., Murray, L., Sewel, K., & Skelton, J. (2012). Behaviour in Scottish Schools. Edinburgh: Scottish Government.

    Google Scholar 

  • Black, C., Eunson, J., Murray, L., Zubairi, S. S., & Bowen, L. (2017). Behaviour in Scottish Schools 2017. Edinburgh: Scottish Government.

    Google Scholar 

  • Braithwaite, J. (2004). Restorative justice: Theories and worries (Visiting experts’ papers, 123rd international senior seminar, Resource material series, No. 63, pp. 47–56). Tokyo: United Nations Asia and Far East Institute For the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, H., McCord, J., Chapman, T., & Wilson, D. (2013). Developing a whole system approach to embedding restorative practices in youthreach youth work and schools in county Donegal. Donegal: ETB Restorative Practices Project.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cavanagh, T., Vigil, P., & Garcia, E. (2014). A story legitimating the voices of Latino/Hispanic students and their parents: Creating a restorative justice response to wrongdoing and conflict in schools. Equity and Excellence in Education, 47(4), 565–579.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cousineau, M. (2010, August 14–17). Institutional racism and the school-to-prison pipeline. Paper presented to the Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association, Atlanta.

    Google Scholar 

  • Currie, C. (Ed.). (2012). Social determinants of health and well-being among young people. Health behaviour in school-aged children (HBSC) study: International report from the 2009/2010 survey. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office For Europe.

    Google Scholar 

  • Daniels, H., & Cole, T. (2010). Exclusion from school: Short-term setback or a long term set of difficulties? European Journal of Special Needs Education, 22(5), 115–130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Department for Education. (2012). Exclusion from maintained schools, academies and pupil referral units in England. London: DfE.

    Google Scholar 

  • Department for Education. (2015). Permanent and fixed period exclusions in England 2013 to 2014. London: Department for Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Department for Education. (2016). Behaviour and discipline in schools: Advice for head teachers and school staff. London: Department for Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Department of Work and Pensions. (2012). Social justice: Transforming lives. Policy paper for the department of work and pensions. London: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeWitt, D., & DeWitt, L. (2012). A case of high school hazing: Applying restorative justice to promote organisational learning. NASSP Bulletin, 96(3), 228–242.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Donnelly, B., Hunter, S., & McDill, R. (2014). Bullying in Scotland 2014. Glasgow: RespectMe.

    Google Scholar 

  • Drewery, W. (2014). Restorative practice in New Zealand schools: Social development through relational justice. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 48(2), 191–203.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farrington, D., Ttofi, M., & Piquero, A. (2016). Risk, promotive and protective factors in youth offending: Results from the Cambridge study in delinquent development. Journal of Criminal Justice, 45, 63–70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferguson, R., Phillips, S., Rowley, J., & Friedlander, J. (2015). The influence of teaching. Beyond standardised test scores: Engagement, mind sets, and agency. A study of 16,000 sixth through ninth grade classrooms. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fronius, T., Persson, H., Guckenburg, S., Hurley, S., & Petrosino, A. (2016). Restorative justice in US schools: A research review. San Francisco: WestEd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gazeley, L., Marrable, T., Brown, C., & Boddy, J. (2013). Reducing inequalities in school exclusion: Learning from good practice: A report to the office of the children’s commissioner. Sussex: University of Sussex.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greene, D. (2013). “Repeat performance: Is restorative justice another good reform gone bad?” Contemporary justice review: Issues in criminal. Social and Restorative Justice, 16(3), 359–390.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gregory, A., Cornell, D., & Fan, X. (2011). The relationship of school structure and support to suspension rates for black and white high school students. American Educational Research Journal, 48(4), 904–934.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gregory, A., Clawson, K., Davis, A., & Geweritz, J. (2014). The promise of restorative practices to transform teacher-student relationships and achieve equity in school discipline. Journal of Educational and Psychological Consultation, 26(4), 325–353.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grossi, P., & dos Santos, A. (2012). Bullying in Brazilian schools and restorative practices. Canadian Journal of Education, 35, 120–136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guckenburg, S., Hurley, N., Persson, H., Fronius, T., & Petrosino, A. (2016). Restorative justice in U.S. Schools: Practitioners’ perspectives. San Francisco: WestEd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hansberry, B. (2016). A practical introduction to restorative practice in schools: Theory, skills and guidance. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hantzopolous, M. (2013). The fairness committee: Restorative justice in a small urban public high school. Prevention Researcher, 20, 7–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hendry, R. (2009). Building and restoring respectful relationships in schools: A guide to using restorative practice. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hopkins, B. (2004). Just schools. A whole school approach to restorative justice. London: Jessica Kingsley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hopkins, B. (Ed.). (2016). Restorative theory in practice: Insights into what works and why. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howard, P. (2009). Guidance: Restorative practices in school. Reading: CfBT.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hurley, N., Guckenburg, S., Persson, H., Fronius, T., & Petrosino, A. (2015). What further research is needed on restorative justice in schools? San Francisco: WestEd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kane, J., Lloyd, G., McCluskey, G., Riddell, S., Stead, J., & Weedon, E. (2008). An evaluation of restorative practices in three scottish local authorities. Edinburgh: Scottish Executive Education Department.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lloyd, G., & McCluskey, G. (2009). Restorative practice pilots and approaches in Scotland: Follow up report for Scottish government. Edinburgh: Scottish Government.

    Google Scholar 

  • Losen, D. (Ed.). (2014). Closing the school discipline gap: Equitable remedies for excessive exclusion. New York: Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lustick, H. (2016). Making discipline relevant: Toward a theory of culturally responsive positive schoolwide discipline. Race, Ethnicity and Education, 20(5), 681–695.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lyubansky, M., & Barter, D. (2011). A restorative approach to interpersonal racial conflict. Peace Review, 23, 37–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayworm, A., Sharkey, J. D., Hunnicut, K., & Schiedel, C. (2016). Teacher consultation to enhance implementation of school-based restorative justice. Journal of Educational and Psychological Consultation, 26(4), 385–412.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McAra, L., & McVie, S. (2013). Delivering justice for children and young people: Key messages from the Edinburgh study of youth transitions and crime. In A. Dockley (Ed.), Justice for young people: Papers by winners of the research medal 2013. London: Howard League for Penal Reform.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCluskey, G. (2014). ‘Youth is only present when its presence is a problem’: Voices of young people on discipline in school. Children & Society, 28, 93–103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCluskey, G., Lloyd, G., Stead, J., Riddell, S., Stead, J., & Weedon, E. (2008). ‘I was dead restorative today’: From restorative justice to restorative approaches in school. Cambridge Journal of Education, 38(2), 199–216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCluskey, G., Lloyd, G., Stead, J., Riddell, S., Stead, J., & Weedon, E. (2011). Teachers are afraid we are stealing their strength. British Journal of Educational Studies., 59(2), 105–119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morrison, B. (2007). Restoring safe school communities. Cullompton: Willan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morrison, B. (2015). Restorative justice in education: Changing lenses on education’s three Rs. Restorative Justice, An International Journal, 3(3), 445–452.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morrison, B., & Vaandering, D. (2012). Restorative justice: Pedagogy, praxis and discipline. Journal of School Violence, 11(2), 138–155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Connell, T. (2004, August 5). Why the real justice script? Building a global alliance for restorative practice and family empowerment. 5th International Institute for Restorative Practices Conference, Vancouver.

    Google Scholar 

  • Payne, A., & Welch, K. (2013). Restorative justice in schools: The influence of race on restorative discipline. Youth and Society, 47, 539–564.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Razack, S. (1998). Looking white people in the eye: Gender, race and culture in courtrooms and classrooms. Toronto: Toronto University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Razer, M., & Friedman, V. J. (2017). From exclusion to excellence: Building restorative relationships to create inclusive schools. Rotterdam: Sense.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Riestenberg, N. (2012). Circle in the square: Building community and repairing harm in school. St. Paul: Living Justice Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scottish Government. (2015). Summary statistics for schools in Scotland (No. 6. 2015 edn.). Edinburgh: Scottish Government.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scottish Government. (2017). Included, engaged and involved part two: A positive approach to preventing and managing school exclusions. Edinburgh: Scottish Government.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sellman, E., Cremin, H., & McCluskey, G. (Eds.). (2014). Restorative approaches to conflict in schools: International perspectives on managing relationships in the classroom. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Skiba, R., Shure, L., & Williams, N. (2011). What do we know about racial and ethnic disproportionality in school suspension and expulsion? Briefing paper developed for the Atlantic Philanthropies’ race and gender research to practice collaborative, The Equity Project, Indiana University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Skinns, L., du Rose, N., & Hough, M. (2009). Key findings of the Bristol restorative approaches in schools project. Preston: Restorative Solutions CIC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strand, S., & Fletcher, J. (2014). A quantitative analysis of exclusions from english secondary schools. Oxford: University of Oxford Department for Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, E. (2013). Surveillance schools: Security, discipline and control in contemporary education. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Thorsborne, M., & Blood, P. (2013). Implementing restorative practices in schools: A practical guide to transforming school communities. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNICEF Office of Research. (2013). Child well-being in rich countries: A comparative overview, innocenti report card 11. Florence: UNICEF Office of Research.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • United Nations. (2003). Glossary of humanitarian terms. New York: Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs Policy Development Studies Branch.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vaandering, D. (2010). The significance of critical theory for restorative justice in education. Review of Education, Pedagogy and Cultural Studies, 32(2), 145–176.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vaandering, D. (2013). Implementing restorative justice practice in schools: What pedagogy reveals. Journal of Peace Education, 11(1), 64–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wadhwa, A. (2016). Restorative justice in urban schools: Disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Welsh Government. (2015). Exclusions from schools and pupil referral units. Cardiff: Welsh Government.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, M., & Epstein, D. (1990). Narrative means to therapeutic ends. New York: W.W. Norton and Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Youth Justice Board. (2004). National evaluation of the restorative justice in schools programme. London: Youth Justice Board of England and Wales.

    Google Scholar 

  • Youth Justice Board/Ministry of Justice. (2016). Youth justice statistics 2014/15 England and Wales. London: Youth Justice Board.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zehr, H. with A. Gohar. (2003). The little book of restorative justice. Intercourse: Good Books.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

McCluskey, G. (2018). Restorative Approaches in Schools: Current Practices, Future Directions. In: Deakin, J., Taylor, E., Kupchik, A. (eds) The Palgrave International Handbook of School Discipline, Surveillance, and Social Control. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71559-9_29

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71559-9_29

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-71558-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-71559-9

  • eBook Packages: Law and CriminologyLaw and Criminology (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics