Encouraging pupils to handle problems with classmates rather than report the matter to the teacher at once is found to improve the behaviour of the youngsters and also inspire them to attend school regularly, thus improving attendance. This is the conclusion of many schools in Wales that participated in the study for two years.
The approach is a restorative practice that Maerdy Community School in Rhondda Cynon Taf introduced two years back. Year 5 teacher, Harry Allan who is involved in the study at Maerdy Community School explains that when the students are left to resolve problems with each other, they become more responsible and respectful towards each other, says World Breaking News.
Students can see that when they so something, it's not just them that are affected but their peers too. Selected students formed a team to act as mediators, Taking responsibility comes out of each student when simple problems are left for them to solve.
As explained by Geeorgia, who is one of the mediators that when a student did something wrong, he or she sensed that others noticed it by asking what he or she is doing? It is also easy for them to admit their mistakes when talking to the mediators who are just like them. They get too shy with the teachers.
The process can be done on a weekly basis and serves as the time for the children to share anything that they need help with. Beth Bradbury also a teacher at Maerdy Community School who deals with complex needs attested that their students who earlier had attitude problems got rehabilitated as the sessions are conducted.
The process has been adapted by various secondary schools in South Wales including Cardiff's Fitzalan High and Monmouthshire's Monmouth Comprehensive. This has proven tp help prevent exclusions and reduced the possibility that once they leave the school, they will be unemployed, uneducated or not skilful enough.
Officially at this point in time, the Welsh Government now embraced the practice and promoted it as an effective strategy to lower down the number of pupils being excluded. Jack Young, a year 10 student at Bro Edern agreed and disclosed that with GCSE's, they get to discuss their worries then teachers can easily help knowing the difficulties that hindered success," according to BBC.
