Dear Parent/Carer,
In the summer term,
Bellahouston Academy
is going to introduce a
programme of Peer
Mediation Training with
a group of our S1 pupils.
In recognising that
conflict is an inescapable
part of life, it’s
important that we teach
our young people how
to deal with it in a
successful way so that
they become able to
deal with things in the
future.
What is
Peer Mediation? Peer mediation is about providing our young people with the problem-solving skills to deal with ‘minor' bullying incidents in a non-violent way. It allows them to take responsibility for their feelings and behaviour and to have a say in incidents and decisions that affect them. It can help individuals to develop their self-esteem and mechanisms for
coping with bullying behaviour and its impacts.
Peer mediation takes place when school children and young people are trained to help other young people sort out their disagreements. These disputes can range from unkind behaviour to disagreements in the playground. Pupils who are trained to use mediation skills are called Peer
Mediators.
Giving Our Young People
Meaningful Roles
How Does it Work?
Peer mediation involves pupil mediators acting as an impartial third party to help their peers resolve conflicts, such as name calling and, arguing. Pupils talk face to face in a safe and supportive discussion led by trained peer mediators. There will always be an adult nearby
when peer mediation takes place.
Peer Mediation
Peer Mediation
How does it work?
1
How does it help
pupils?
1
Benefits for the
school
2
Benefits for peer
mediators
2
Peer mediation
Training
3
What Next? 3
Want to know more? 4
CONTENTS
Peer Mediation
• Creates a safe school environment, builds a sense of ownership and pride, and develops
character .
• Our programme teaches conflict resolution and develops a strong school culture through pupil relationships in different
year groups.
Bellahouston
Academy
1. Peer Mediation promotes a positive classroom
environment and school culture.
2. It gives teachers time to teach, and pupils time to learn.
3. It can reduce violence, vandalism, and absenteeism as
well as suspensions or punitive actions.
What are the benefits of Peer Mediation
for the school?
Page 2
1. Peer Mediatiors will learn effective conflict resolution
strategies
2. Peer Mediators will practise listening and communication
skills
3. Peer Mediators will learn to work effectively in a team
What are the benefits for the Peer
Mediators?
Mediation helps pupils to:
1.Define a problem from their point of view and identify and
express their feelings and needs.
2. Hear the feelings and needs of the other person and
acknowledge each others viewpoint
3. Create solutions and agree a course of action.
1. Introduction to Mediation Assembly for all S1 pupils, staff and parents
on Wednesday 6 March 2013.
2. Young people can apply using the application form provided at the
Assembly.
3. Young people can also recommend another young person.
4. The selection process begins; interested pupils will be invited to
interviews.
5. Successful applicants informed by 20th March.
6. Arrange follow up 2 day peer mediation training in April 2013.
Of course, before pupils may be allowed to mediate for other students, they will be trained by
skilled and caring adult.
They will be taught the skills needed to guide their peers through the mediation process.
They all involve :
• Training in interpersonal relationships
• Active listening skills,
• Facilitating discussions,
• Step by step process
• Collaborative style
• Explore alternatives, identify issues
• Think about consequences and how they will affect the
relationship
WATCH OUT! When our newly qualified peer mediator group is established , they will be introduced to Primary 7 pupils and parents during the Primary visit to Bellahouston Academy in
May.
The programme itself will be launched in June, at the
beginning of the new school session.
What Next?
Peer Mediation training
NEW SESSION: June 2013
Page 3
““““If you want to make
peace, you don’t talk to your friends. You talk to
your enemies”
Mother Teresa
Dear Parent/Carer,
As a Pastoral Care Teacher, I attended the “Respectme” Annual
Conference (Scotland’s Anti Bullying Service) where I learned
about how peer mediation is developing in Scottish schools. I was
so impressed with the positive contribution this programme can
make to school communities, that I attended a training course to
qualify as a Peer Mediator Trainer so that I could introduce this
exciting initiative in our school.
I believe there our pupils can benefit immensely from this
programme and I look forward to working with the S1 year group
in establishing our first group of trained peer mediators in
Bellahouston Academy.
If you would like to become involved with this
work or would like any further information, I would be
delighted to hear from you,
Yours sincerely,
Carolene Logan.
30 Gower Terrace Glasgow G41 5QE
Phone: 0141 582 0030 Fax: 0141 582 0031
BELLAHOUSTON
ACADEMY
We’re on the Web!
www.bellahoustonacademy.glasgow.sch.uk
Want to know more?
Recommended
