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In series two of this podcast, we bring you insights into circle holding, whether you are an (aspiring) circle facilitator or attendee, through interviews with experienced circle holders and conversations between Julia and Tessa, the founders of Circle Holding.

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

- 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) and no permanent exclusions since 2005

- 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