A new team of peer mediators are making their mark at Chilton Primary School in Ramsgate.
The initiative, which has run successfully now for five years, has resulted in the selection of 20 pupils from Years 5 and 6 in the key roles.
Their role includes listening to disputes and discussing issues with the pupils involved with the aim of reaching a fair and friendly solution. Any situations that they are not confident to deal with will be referred to the adult playground supervisors for further action.
The peer mediators are easy to spot, with their bright blue hoodies and children will approach them if they need support.
In order to become a peer mediator, the children had to write a letter of interest to Chilton’s Values and PSHE coordinator Kirby Walker. She was very impressed with the quality of the applications and found it very hard to select the final group.
The pupils took part in a series of six training sessions to make sure they were capable of resolving a number of different yet common issues children face. It has given them confidence to conduct the meetings in a fair, balanced and effective manner.
Mrs Kirby Walker said “The children have shown high levels of maturity through the training process and cannot wait to get started”.
Head of School Kate Law is impressed how well the peer mediators are settling into their roles. She added: “They are taking it sensibly and seriously and are keen to help pupils who come to them.
“It is a great way of learning important life skills as they develop as people and it will stand them in good stead when they go to secondary school, university, college, employment and beyond.
“They are reinforcing our school values and play an important citizenship role in our learning community.”
Photographs of the peer mediators will be displayed in school to help pupils identify them easily.