abi Anti-Bullying Institute

An Intensive Hybrid Course for School Management and Leadership Teams

Two Full In-Person Training Days + Four Online Evening Sessions April 2026 – November 2026

Irish school principals and deputy principals are under growing pressure as they navigate an increasingly complex and, at times, confrontational working environment. Many report dealing with abusive or aggressive behaviour from a small but significant number of parents, including hostile emails, threats of formal complaints, and, in some cases, direct confrontation. At the same time, school leaders are expected to manage teacher under-performance and staff conflict, often with limited HR training or external support. These demands place leaders in emotionally challenging situations that can involve tension, frustration, and fear of escalation. The cumulative effect contributes to high levels of stress and burnout, as principals and deputy principals strive to safeguard staff and students while maintaining professional relationships and meeting expanding accountability expectations.

Since the publication of the new Bí Cineálta Guidelines by the Department of Education, many schools have begun a Restorative Practice Journey, training staff to use restorative approaches in classrooms and with students. Evidence shows that when restorative practices are actively used at student level, teaching, learning, and relationships improve significantly. Unwanted or dysregulated behaviour decreases, reducing stress for teachers and supporting a more positive school climate.

However, restorative practice is not limited to student interactions—it has a much broader scope. Applied at the level of school leadership, restorative practices offer a facilitative approach to managing staff, resolving conflicts, and engaging with parents constructively. This course supports school leaders to develop the skills and confidence to use restorative practices in their own roles, fostering stronger working relationships, addressing potential conflicts before they escalate, and most importantly, “putting on their own restorative oxygen masks first.”

This intensive course takes participants on a journey to bring restorative practices “full circle”:

• Using circles and restorative language at staff level
• Leading within the school as a supportive, relational workplace
• Implementing strategies to prevent burnout and chronic stress
• Cultivating restorative practices throughout the staff group to strengthen school culture

Participants will leave equipped with practical tools, coaching, and strategies to enhance leadership, improve relationships, and create a more resilient and collaborative school environment.

Breakdown of Contents

In-Person Training Day One

Foundations: Leadership, Self-Regulation & Restorative Culture
10.00 a.m. – 3.30 p.m.

10.00 – 10.30 | Welcome & Opening Circle

• Introductions, intentions and leadership context
• Establishing safety, confidentiality and shared agreements
• Naming the realities of leadership pressure in Irish schools

10.30 – 11.15 | Why Restorative Practice for School Leadership

• Restorative practice beyond behaviour management
• Leadership as facilitation rather than control or scapegoating
• Linking restorative leadership to Bí Cineálta and wellbeing frameworks

11.15 – 11.30 | Break

11.30 – 12.45 | The Leader as Circle Keeper: Self First

• Understanding stress, threat responses and escalation
• Emotional regulation for leaders in high-conflict situations
• “Putting on the restorative oxygen mask first”
• Experiencing a circle focused on leadership presence and resilience

12.45 – 1.30 | Lunch

1.30 – 2.30 | Restorative Language & Authority in Leadership

• Moving from reactive to responsive leadership
• Using restorative questions in difficult conversations
• Maintaining boundaries while preserving dignity and relationship

2.30 – 2.45 | Break

2.45 – 3.30 | Reflection & Closing Circle

• Integrating learning into leadership roles
• Identifying personal leadership intentions
• Closing circle

Online Evening Session 1 (90 minutes)

Restorative Leadership & Burnout Prevention

Focus:

• Understanding chronic stress, moral injury and burnout in school leadership
• Restorative approaches to self-care and sustainability
• Reflective dialogue and shared learning circle

Online Evening Session 2 (90 minutes)

Managing Staff Relationships & Under-Performance Restoratively

Focus:

• Staff conflict, tension and breakdown in relationships
• Restorative approaches to under-performance and difficult conversations
• Avoiding blame, fear and escalation
• Case discussion and practice in breakout groups

Online Evening Session 3 (90 minutes)

Engaging with Parents: Boundaries, Conflict & Repair

Focus:

• Responding to confrontational, aggressive or distressed parent behaviour
• Restorative preparation for challenging meetings
• Using restorative language to de-escalate conflict
• Maintaining authority, safety and professionalism

Online Evening Session 4 (90 minutes)

From Individual Practice to Staff Culture

Focus:

• Supporting staff wellbeing through restorative structures
• Introducing circles and restorative language at staff level
• Addressing resistance and fear within staff groups
• Preparing for whole-school integration

In-Person Training Day Two

Application: Staff, Parents & Whole-School Leadership
10.00 a.m. – 3.30 p.m.

10.00 – 10.30 | Reconnection & Opening Circle

• Reflection on learning from online sessions
• Re-establishing shared intentions

10.30 – 11.30 | Circles for Staff Teams & Leadership Groups

• Facilitating staff circles for trust, accountability and repair
• Managing power dynamics and confidentiality
• When circles are appropriate — and when they are not

11.30 – 11.45 | Break

11.45 – 12.45 | Restorative Responses to Conflict, Harm & Crisis

• Responding after incidents involving staff or parents
• Repairing relationships while meeting policy and legal obligations
• Balancing restorative practice with procedures and safeguarding

12.45 – 1.30 | Lunch

1.30 – 2.30 | Practice: Real-Life Leadership Scenarios

• Facilitated practice using participants’ real school contexts
  (staff conflict, parent complaints, leadership isolation)
• Feedback, reflection and coaching

2.30 – 2.45 | Break

2.45 – 3.30 | Bringing Restorative Practice Full Circle

• Developing a personal and school-based restorative leadership plan
• Small, sustainable steps for implementation
• Closing circle and course completion