Everyone in a school has a role to play in creating an inclusive, mutually respectful community. Disaffection, underachievement, non-attendance and exclusion are problems that the community share and can address together. But does everyone have the appropriate skills? Does everyone acknowledge that unless they are part of the solution then they may be part of the problem? And is there a need to pre-empt problems in the first place by creating a harmonious environment in which everyone feels valued and safe?

Transforming Conflict is an organisation that offers training, consultancy and support in educational settings for people seeking to enhance their skills in building a sense of community, fostering a spirit of inclusion and dealing creatively with challenging situations. Our work is underpinned by the philosophy of Restorative Justice, which stresses the importance of relationships above rules and the value of dialogue in healing the damage done to relationships by inappropriate behaviour.

Our courses are appropriate for all those who work in an educational setting, and we have experience of running courses for pupil-support teams, residential care staff, senior management teams, governors, teaching staff, learning-support staff, lunchtime controllers, parents and students. We work in primary, secondary and special school settings and have run both public and in-house courses. All in-house courses are tailored to suit the needs of the school. Having said that, we are also very responsive to the needs of the participants on the day, and the programme can change to accommodate these needs. Our training style is relaxed, stimulating, highly participative and fun. We believe that the training style reflects our restorative principles of respect and inclusion and many participants have told us that we run the best courses they have ever attended!

 

The restorative approach is based on the belief that the people best placed to resolve a conflict or a problem are the people directly involved, and that imposed solutions are less effective, less educative and possibly less likely to be honoured. In order to engage in a restorative approach to conflict and challenging behaviour people need certain attitudes and skills. Skills-based training can develop both restorative skills and attitudes. It can help participants to identify a variety of applications of these skills to meet the needs of the whole school community. The ultimate aim of the training and the project is to build a strong, mutually respectful, safe and inclusive school community in which everyone feels valued and heard.

The potential advantages of restorative approaches in the school setting include:

  • • A safer, more caring environment

  • A more effective teaching and learning environment

  • A greater commitment by everyone to taking the time to listen to one another

    1. A reduction in bullying and other interpersonal conflicts

    2. A greater awareness of the importance of connectedness to young people . the need to belong and feel valued by peers and significant adults

  • Greater emphasis on responses to inappropriate behaviour that seek to reconnect, and not further disconnect, young people

  • Reductions in fixed term and permanent exclusions

  • A greater confidence in the staff team to deal with challenging situations

  • An increased belief in the ability of young people to take responsibility for their choices, and more people giving them opportunities to do so

We encourage schools to consider what we offer as pieces of a jigsaw, which, put together, create a congruent whole school approach to relationship building and conflict management. We offer support and advice in integrating these elements into a school development plan. We also offer modular training which encompasses all of the above elements, and is accredited by the Open College Network.

 

 

 

I can honestly say that this was the best course I have ever been on in that it was challenging, interesting, informative and fun!

Belinda is an excellent facilitator with knowledge, humour and an inspiring demeanour..

WOW - the best course

have ever been on!

Thank you, I am enlightened!.

It is as if the whole course had been written especially for me, catering for all my needs all in one go! Well worth it good value for money..

"It really helped me to with something much

.It really helped understand that a punitive approach can be replaced better. An inspiration to look at how schools can work differently"