Maeve Wright, a recent graduate of the St Mary’s Masters in Education programme, presented the results of her dissertation research at this week’s inaugural BERA / TEAN conference at Sheffield Hallam University.  The conference focuses on critical evaluation of innovative pedagogical practices and on research into teacher education and development.

Maeve’s work studied the application of the principles of Restorative Practice and Restorative Justice to post-primary educational environments and was featured in a panel of talks on social justice.  Her presentation was entitled ‘Restorative Practice: Eight Principles for Post-Primary Schools When Making the Transition from Punitive Models’. 

Maeve said of her experience:

It was an excellent opportunity to share and discuss my proposals for how schools can transition to Restorative Practice in their pastoral care and behaviour management policies and practices.  This topic is especially timely now that Northern Ireland is undergoing a serious review of the curriculum and practices in all areas.  The evidence is clear that Restorative Practice can help schools build relationships with and among students based on something more positive than punishment and exclusion.  Everyone agrees with Daniel Lilley, the head of the Centre for Social Justice, who said recently of today’s behaviour crisis in schools, ‘The current system is letting down everyone.’  My work tries to lay out a clear, comprehensive and practical path to guide schools toward a better, more effective set of practices.