Spotlight on the Peer Mentoring Programme at King Edward’s School, Bath

The Peer Mentoring Programme at King Edward’s School, Bath aims to provide peer support and forge friendships across year groups to foster a sense of community at KES.

The programme started in 2018, inspired by a desire to provide some of our children with support from older peers, understanding that pupils often feel more comfortable chatting freely with those of a similar age. Since resuming after COVID, the mentoring scheme has flourished and expanded to include a greater variety of children benefiting in different ways from regular contact with an older pupil. Some simply enjoy the companionship and the chance to chat with an older child, while others may have a particular worry or friendship issue that they wish to share.

I really like the connection it fosters; she chats to me about all sorts of things and saves up her news for our meetings.

KES Sixth Form Mentor

The scope of the programme extends across our Senior and Junior Schools and currently involves just over 250 pupils. Pupils are carefully matched with one another, taking into consideration individual needs, character, and passions. Sixth Formers pair with pupils in Years 7, 8, and 9, and Year 10 pupils mentor Junior School children, all of whom meet weekly throughout the year. Typically, pairs meet during form time, often connecting while playing a game, working on something creative, or simply having time to chat.

An image of a Year 10 girl having a mentor meeting with a Junior School girl. over a game of chess.

Prior to joining the scheme, mentors are supported with careful preparation time, learning how to deal with different situations and how to keep a conversation going. All pupils take their commitment to mentoring seriously, and older pupils quickly build a relationship with their younger mentee, understanding the importance of these weekly meetings. Both parties involved in the programme often say it’s the highlight of their week, and evidence collected at the end of each year via formal feedback suggests that having a positive older role model and regular conversations can help ease anxieties.

I love to see the progress over the year as you get to know your mentee - it makes such a difference to them and you.

KES Sixth Form Mentor

As the programme develops, we have found that more established pairings are often keen to continue meeting beyond a year. Some of our current Year 7 students, for example, have continued to meet with their mentors from last year, aiding their transition to Senior School.

Looking ahead, we are keen to enhance mentors’ training, adding in listening training, for example. We are also exploring how the School’s Wellbeing Hub resources, provided by Teen Tips (one of HMC’s corporate partners), can support the programme. We anticipate that mentees will one day become mentors themselves, recognizing the significant impact and importance this role can have on all those involved in the programme.

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