EXCLUSIVE: Pupils take centre stage as unique new plan sees suspensions at top school halve

Belfast Boys Model School have adopted a new restorative justice system in their school.

They set up a panel of 16 year old pupils - who deal with some issues facing their school.

They say it is easier for young people to talk to the peers than teachers and they have already seen some positive results:

Overall the system resulted in a major improvement - with a 42% decrease in the amount of suspensions and an increased pupil attendance - along with improved relationships between the pupils and staff.

A restorative school is one which takes a restorative approach to resolving conflict and preventing harm.

Restorative approaches enable those who have been harmed to convey the impact of the harm to those responsible, and for those responsible to acknowledge this impact and take steps to put it right.

Restorative approaches refer to a range of methods and strategies which can be used both to prevent relationship-damaging incidents from happening and to resolve them if they do happen.

Becoming a restorative school has many benefits, including increased attendance, reduced exclusions and improved achievement.

The system at Boys Belfast Model has also helped alleviate problems such as bullying, classroom disruption, truancy and poor attendance, antisocial behaviour, and disputes between pupils, their families, and members of staff.

Vice Principle Mary Montgomery says " In the past , if an incident occurred, a year head would take the boy out of the class where he might do detention or lines.

"But now there's much more engagement with the pupil and the staff member, looking about why think think the situation happened and how it affected them. They then come together to try and find a resolution."

She also said the system has helped pupils communicate better, which in turn helps in the future talking about issues.