Pubdate: Tue, 17 Oct 2006
Source: Belfast Telegraph (UK)
Copyright: 2006 Belfast Telegraph Newspapers Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/42
Author: Kathryn Torney

NEW APPROACH IS URGED TO IMPROVE PUPILS' BEHAVIOUR

Schools in Northern Ireland should consider using  restorative 
practices in a bid to improve pupils'  behaviour, it was claimed today.

Jim McGrath - who heads up Netcare, a Newry-based  consultancy 
specialising in restorative practices in  the education sector - has 
been delivering the  programme in England and the Republic of Ireland 
for  seven years.

He claims that the method has reduced pupil assaults  and expulsions 
and has improved attendance at schools.

The aim is to promote an inclusive approach to problem  solving and 
build healthy relationships. This ranges  from verbal communication 
through to structured  meetings between the wrongdoer, victim and 
significant  others.

Mr McGrath said: "A school we worked with in Essex was  on special 
measures and threatened with closure. Four  police officers were 
employed by the school to help  contain unacceptable behaviour on the 
corridors  including physical assaults and drug dealing.

"After teachers embraced the restorative approach  school crime fell 
significantly.

"The school saw assaults and expulsions drop whilst  attendance and 
admissions rose.

"They are now out of special measures and no longer  threatened with closure.

"Northern Ireland is nowhere near that level of  violence but I do 
feel it is time for the education  authorities to consider 
implementing restorative  practices.

"It is of course vitally important that they only use  people fully 
qualified in delivering such programmes."

The suspension and expulsion rates in schools in  Northern Ireland 
have been rising year on year since  2001.

According to Department of Education figures, 5,414  children were 
suspended for behaviour deemed to be  unacceptable in 2005. Almost 
two fifths involved  verbal, physical or disruptive behaviour towards 
staff  members. Over a quarter involved pupil to pupil  conflict 
including bullying, fighting or serious  assault and 30% for 
incidents towards the school  environment including, theft, vandalism 
and persistent  infringement of school rules.

To find out more about Netcare Consultancy Restorative  Practice 
Programmes contact Jim McGrath on 028 30256469  or 07714146044 or 
visit www.netcare-ni.com.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine