Peer Mediators

Our children know that when they have an argument or fall out with someone there are lots of people who can help them sort it out. They might turn to a teacher, their mum or dad, brother, sister or friends. Sometimes they are able to sort out arguments by themselves but they also recognise that it can be good to have someone else there to help them.  Four years ago, the older pupils in our school asked for help to develop the skills to do just this.

To support them in this, twenty five children and two members of staff were trained by Devon Mediation Service to run a Peer Mediation service at Awliscombe Primary School.  Pupils are re-trained each year and new mediators are trained to take the place of those who have left the school at the end of year six.Our Mediators help to sort out minor arguments and fall outs. They work in pairs and the help each person who has fallen out, to tell their side of the story and to help get an agreement on how to sort out the problem.  Our Mediators are from years four, five and six and have to apply for the training.  They take their job very seriously, and although they are of a similar age to the pupils they are helping, they are held in high regard by their peers. Our peer mediators do not take sides , they keep what is said private. They don’t tell people what they have to agree to, that’s down to each person to have asked for mediation.

Our Mediators also take on other roles in the school, supporting frienships, helping children to find playmates, refereeing, football, and supporting children who may be feeling unwell or have hurt themselves during playtime.Our Peer Mediators are: