Managing Violence in Schools: A Whole-School Approach to Best Practice

The exposure of children to violence at school is a major concern for educators everywhere and a frequent topic of discussion in the media. Written by experts in research, practice, and training in the field, this timely text proposes a whole-school approach to reduce the impact of violence on children′s development. The authors take into account:

• Personal characteristics of perpetrators, victims, and bystanders
• A school′s culture
• The quality of a school′s learning environment
• Links between the school and the community

The whole school approach includes a wide range of formal and informal initiatives to improve the quality of life at school. Managing Violence in Schools covers preventive methods and provisions for students′ individual needs. Readers will also find strategies for strengthening school culture, such as peer support, cooperative group work, and restorative practice.

This resource also provides guidance for implementing a needs analysis, formulating a cycle of change for handling bullying and violence, and creating a shared understanding of the issue. Each strategy for preventive and integrative practice is illustrated with real-life case studies and relevant experiential exercises.