In a recent enlightening workshop, Sue Attrill, alongside Marg and Bev from the Ready4RP team, delved into the pivotal stages that precede the successful implementation of restorative practices in educational settings. With the profound understanding that foundation matters, the trio’s presentation was aptly titled “Creating fertile ground.”
Sue Attrill and her team have dedicated their careers to fostering environments that are conducive to restorative approaches. Their vast experience spans several countries including Australia, USA, Canada, UK, Southeast Asia, and New Zealand. Drawing from their diverse experiences, the team has identified a recurrent challenge: many institutions rush into adopting restorative practices without laying the proper groundwork. This oversight often leads to subpar results and can deter stakeholders from acknowledging the full potential of these practices.
The core of Sue’s presentation revolved around the team’s findings from their support missions to various schools across the globe. Through comprehensive analysis and interaction, they identified certain critical cultural and transformational change issues that schools need to address. These foundational steps are often overlooked in the eagerness to jump straight into training sessions. However, Sue emphasized that recognizing and resolving these initial challenges is crucial to changing mindsets and practices on a sustainable basis.
One of the key takeaways from the workshop was the idea of readiness. Just as a seed requires the right soil conditions to germinate and grow, restorative practices need the right institutional environment to flourish. By addressing cultural nuances, resistance points, and the existing systemic challenges, schools can prepare the ground for these approaches to take root and thrive.
Sue, Marg, and Bev’s cumulative experiences have not only allowed them to identify these challenges but also to develop a framework designed to enhance the likelihood of successful implementation. This framework serves as a blueprint for schools and educational institutions, guiding them in their journey to integrate restorative practices effectively.
The Ready4RP team’s approach is holistic. They believe in a phased integration where schools first introspect and recognize their inherent challenges, work towards addressing them, and then proceed to the actual training and implementation of restorative practices. This structured approach ensures that the practices are not just superficially adopted but are deeply ingrained in the institution’s ethos.
In conclusion, Sue Attrill’s workshop was a revelation for many attendees. It highlighted the often-neglected preparatory steps that can significantly determine the success of restorative practices in schools. By emphasizing the importance of ‘creating fertile ground’, Sue and her team have underscored a pivotal message: to achieve meaningful and lasting change, one must first prepare the ground. Their insights and framework present a robust roadmap for institutions keen on adopting restorative practices, ensuring these efforts are rooted in understanding, preparation, and genuine transformation.
