Year 10 Pupils Take First Steps To Qualify As Peer Mentors

Last week, a second cohort of Year 10 pupils began their first of two workshops to qualify as Peer Mentors.

To become a Peer Mentor, pupils must attend two full-day training sessions in school with external trainer, Mr Tahir Mahmood, where they are given an introduction to mentoring and 'buddying' younger ones.  

Peer mentoring can support children and young people by:

• Enhancing social competence, 
• Building security within the setting and wider community by realising their worth as social beings, 
• Improving attendance and educational attainment whilst 
• Developing friendship skills in a positive environment. 

During the sessions pupils will develop their listening and team working skills, they will discuss scenarios that they could come across and how they can manage them effectively.  Among other tasks, pupils participate in role plays and communication challenges across five strands to gain a 10 hour ASDAN accredited certificate. They also bag themselves a £25 gift voucher as a reward.

Ms Smith, Lead Practitioner for Personal Development, said, "In September we will have a Peer Mentor station in the Hex and they will be there for our new Year 7 pupils whilst they are finding their feet and have questions about our procedures.

“It is great that these pupils want to give up their own time to support our younger pupils. Not only does this course boost their motivation and confidence but makes the perfect addition to a college application or CV too.”

The second and final session will take place on 7 July.  Well done to Phoebe W, Eleanor R, Noah W, Yusuf K, Haniya A.