Personal developmet (pupils)

Peer support

Project description

Peer support means building on a natural willingness of people to help one another, taking place between those of similar age, role and/or background, to enhance the common purpose of the group. It should have a structure to develop and use interpersonal skills within safe boundaries, enabling those participating to gain valuable life skills. Peer support is not about counselling or telling others what to do. It is more listening and, if necessary, signposting to relevant organisations.

In 2002, a group of Y11 boys and girls from Berkhamsted Collegiate School attended a Peer Support Awareness Day run by Dacorum Borough Council. They found the day very useful and believed such a scheme would be beneficial in the school, complementing the already strong pastoral system. The Peer Support Group offers another route by which younger pupils can express their concerns, i.e. to older pupils whom they trust. The issues that can arise include homesickness, bereavement, work issues, time management, bullying, home problems and friendship issues.

We recruit and train the Y10 pupils in the early summer ready to act as peer supporters in the following academic year. Pupils apply to be part of the scheme and they each undergo an interview with senior pastoral staff. They also wear a lapel pin so other pupils can identify them.

The Peer Supporters are trained in-house and, in previous years, this has been followed up by Childline. This year, however, the training will be provided solely by our staff, who have been trained by Childline for this purpose. The Peer Supporters can talk at any time to identified staff if they are unsure. They also meet regularly with senior pastoral staff to discuss any issues that may have arisen that are not confidential. In most cases, the Peer Supporter is able to solve the issue without disclosure. Our School Counsellor has been consulted throughout the process of establishing the scheme and provided valuable support, attending the training sessions with the pupils.

Benefits

Gives older pupils a sense of responsibility and they can become role models Provides a support to the current pastoral system Provides another route for pupils to ask for support

School

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