Circle Holding

Peace Circles in Schools with Roy Leighton

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Transforming Conflict into Maturity

In this episode, Tessa Venuti Sanderson and Roy Leighton (https://www.independentthinking.co.uk/speakers/roy-leighton/) talked about:

**For data on the impact of circles at Carr Manor School go to: **www.circleholding.org/podcast-episode-24

  • His involvement in Peace Circles being rooted in his childhood with Adverse Childhood Events
  • How circles can increase inclusion and belonging in schools – in 7 years only 7 days of exclusion across the whole school (e.g. at Carr Manor)
  • Using the framework of the ‘Four Rooms’ – intellectual, emotional, practical and spiritual in every circle – to deal with conflict quickly through structure of ‘When you…’, ‘I feel….’, ‘because….’, ‘what can we do about it?’
  • Different levels of circle from senior management – with mixed staff (dinner ladies, ground staff) and mixed year groups
  • Thrice weekly meetings called ‘family circles’ by children (and Coaching Group on the school website: https://carrmanor.org.uk/coaching/))
  • Staff trained in holding circle and moving through restorative, chaotic and self-organising circles
  • Circle works to re-educate away from simple hierarchy to transcend and become more inclusive
  • Circles can hold conflict and prevent escalation
  • Intergeneration circles build maturity in younger members
  • Circles provide spaces where people can be called out but lead to change rather than conflict and unhealthy confrontation

    • You can order our book Circle Holding: A Practical Guide to Facilitating Talking Circles on Amazon (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Circle-Holding-Practical-Facilitating-Talking/dp/1805013157/)

    To learn more about facilitating circles you can join one of our trainings:

    https://www.circleholding.org

    Tessa's trainings can also be found at

    [https://www.tessavenutisanderson.co.uk/circles/circle-training]
    IG @tessa.venuti.sanderson

    We love to hear from circle facilitators and circle goers so please email us at [email protected]

    Music credit: Fabio Venuti

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    Circle HoldingBy Julia Davis and Tessa Venuti Sanderson