Schools

Restorative Approaches in Schools (RAiS) is a programme which provides staff with the skills and knowledge to effectively tackle conflict and behavioral problems. The aim of employing restorative approaches is to avoid situations in which schools are obliged to resort to more extreme measures of behaviour management such as exclusion by empowering teachers, parents and pupils to tackle problems at grass-roots level.

A restorative approach, introduced as a whole school policy, has been widely evidenced as having a major impact on the learning and teaching of the school community, forging more respectful and productive relationships and successfully addressing behaviour and attendance issues.

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Download a Guide for School Managers and Governors


RAiS Bristol Project

The Bristol RAiS project was established in partnership with the Bristol Children and Young Peoples’ Service and Safer Bristol. RAiS set out to determine whether permanent and fixed-term exclusions could be reduced by using restorative approaches to deal with conflicts caused by abusive behaviour, fighting, bullying and poor attendance. It was also anticipated that the methods could be used in handling disputes between schools and parents.

The end objective of RAiS is to assist and support pupils in completing their education and for schools to meet the ideals of SEAL. It assists pupils in achieving the five ‘Every Child Matters’ outcomes, whilst supporting their well-being and promoting community cohesion. RAiS has a key role therefore in improving the learning and teaching environment and raising attainment of pupils in school by keeping them safe, resolving disputes and contributing to improved behaviour and attendance. All of these elements form core parts of the ‘Self Evaluation’ process for schools. RAiS is currently working in eight of the eighteen secondary schools in Bristol.

Click here to learn more about the RAiS Bristol Project.


RAiS Case Study

Restorative Approaches in Schools (RAiS) Research summary

“...To enable learning to take place, preventative action is most effective; but when this fails, schools must have clear, firm and intelligent strategies in place to help pupils manage their behaviour.” Sir Alan Steer, 2009.

Restorative Approaches in Schools (RAiS) is a programme which provides staff with
the skills and knowledge to effectively tackle conflict and behavioural problems.

Learn more