Each year we offer 30 – 35 places for Y10 students to become peer mentors in Y11 – Y13. Current peer mentors go into the forms to explain why Y10’s should apply. Students have to write a short cv explaining why they think they have the relevant skills to become a peer mentor. The selection criteria includes, the student’s punctuality, attendance, extra curricular activities, relevant experience and their own well being. If students are successful they have a series of training sessions on::

Communicating effectively with others, building and understanding relationships, how to be non-judgemental, child protection issues, confidentiality, decision making, different scenarios they may experience. The peer mentors are allocated to a Y7/8 form in September and they support students in that form twice a week during registration. They get to know them, and encourage them to join extra curricular activities, check planners and help with form activities eg inter form competitions, assemblies, quizzes. We have found that having peer mentors, has helped students to: settle more easily; to discuss problems that are worrying them; to reduce bullying; to help with friendship problems and to make Y7 students confident and secure.

Peer mentor are offered supervision sessions at least once a term