The Impacts of Restorative Justice in Schools in the London Boroughs of Barnet and Lambeth

by

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I, [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

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ABSTRACT

The problem of violence at schools is a major concern of threat for parents, teachers, students and administrators. In order to deal with the violence issue at schools, educational institutions general implement zero-tolerance policies for addressing the behaviour problems in students and for creating a safe environment at schools. Ironically, penalising violation of disciplinary practices, many times lead to criminalising student's behaviour, stopping them from getting more education, it might lead them to target or bully minority students, create hindrance for administrator's ability of developing individual consequences, and sometimes even contribute to increased climate of violence at schools. More effective and successful strategies for improvising the behaviour of students and creating a safe and secure environment at school may include providing opportunities to students and adults to have positive interactions, using discipline as an instructional tool or methods for teaching students about what is right and wrong, creating learning environments for humane and using restorative justice strategies that will focus on the restoration of the harm that has been caused by certain wrong doings. The aim of the study is to examine the impact of restorative justice in schools in the London Borough of Lambeth and Barnet. The study is conducted using secondary methodology. Data was collected through articles, journals and books published after 2000. The study found that there has been a significant impact of restorative justice approach in the Borough of Lambeth and Barnet.

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

1.1 Background of the Study1

1.1.1 Restorative justice1

1.1.2 The Restorative Justice in School Program3

1.1.1.1 Background and Concepts of Restorative Justice in Schools in London Borough of Lambeth and Barnet4

1.2 Research Aims and Objectives8

1.3 Research Questions9

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW10

2.1 Restorative Justice10

2.1.1 Defining Restorative Justice10

2.1.2 A Paradigm Shift as Restorative Justice11

2.1.3 The Impact of Restorative Justice13

2.2 Restorative Justice in Schools15

2.2.1 Why Do Schools Need To Introduce Restorative Practices?17

2.2.2 Restorative Justice in Schools in UK18

2.3 Evidence That Restorative Justice Can Work in Schools24

2.3.1 Stories From Around the World26

2.3.2 Stories from United Kingdom28

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY30

3.1 Method30

3.2 Research Design31

3.3 Search Strategy32

3.4 Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria33

CHAPTER 4: DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS34

4.1 The Impact of Restorative Justice in school in the London Borough of Lambeth and Barnet34

4.2 Comparison of Effectiveness between the Boroughs40

4.2.1 Strengths40

4.2.2 Weaknesses43

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION45

5.1 Conclusion45

5.2 Recommendations48

5.3 Recommendations for Future Action and Research50

REFERENCES53

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

1.1.1 Restorative justice

The problem of violence at schools is a major concern of threat for parents, teachers, students and administrators. In order to deal with the violence issue at ...