Secondary school student' experiences of restorative practices

Abstract

Restorative practices in education have gained prominence as an alternative to traditional punitive disciplinary measures. This alternative aims to foster accountability, healing and relationships within the school community. Despite the increasing implementation, there is little attention or research given to voices and experiences of those most affected – the students themselves.

This study investigates the lived experiences of students and how students in Aotearoa New Zealand perceive and experience restorative practices. Using narrative inquiry and qualitative research methods, the study generates accounts of nine student’s experiences of restorative practices. These accounts include the meanings they made of interactions with teachers, their peers and other aspects of the restorative processes that informed their experiences.

Drawing on individual semi-structured interviews with students, this research employed thematic analysis to identify five key themes. Particular discourses were identified that inform power relations in restorative practices, personal agency, communication and supportive relationships. The findings highlight participants’ preferences for trust-based connections with staff and peers, and contexts that foster open and honest communication that address fear and exclude punitive approaches and consequences. The complexity of discursive power relations and how they are exercised in relationships between students and teaching staff show that understanding discursive power and how to address its effects is important for schools to consider when engaging in restorative practices.

By focusing on the perspectives of students, this study contributes to an evolving social justice education discourse. Social justice in education fosters student agency, relational approaches to school disciplinary policies, and promotes educational, justice-based school communities. A social justice approach offers valuable insights for educators and policymakers seeking to enhance the effectiveness of restorative approaches within school communities. Working towards a more meaningful, equitable and impactful process for conflict resolution.