Get Peaceworks Into Your School Or College

Through Peaceworks Peer Mediation in Schools Programme we work with schools and colleges across the South East, helping them set up peer mediation schemes. Each school we work with is offered a comprehensive package that includes:

• Lessons in conflict resolution and mediation delivered by our Schools Team across 3 academic year groups, over a period of 3 years
• Specialised training for children and young people to become peer mediators
• Teaching resources for schools on conflict resolution and mediation
• Training and support to all teaching and support staff
• Help in the design, planning and launch of a peer mediation scheme in each school
• Ongoing and follow up support to schools and colleges running peer mediation schemes, including Peer Mediation Awareness Days

We work with each school for a minimum of 3 years, and provide ongoing support for as long as the school needs it. The lessons are initially taught by Peaceworks' team of educators who model the lessons to the teaching staff, who then receive a support package including all the lesson plans, and a day of Peaceworks' time every year for any additional training that may be required. Each lesson taught by Peaceworks is observed by a teacher, so that in subsequent years, the lessons can be taught by the school teachers themselves. The Peaceworks educators also teach a full INSET day so the teachers have a broad understanding of what mediation is, can reflect upon their own style of conflict management and support the peer mediators.

Not only do we leave each school with a brand new peer mediation scheme, but in each school we work in, we see a positive shift in the schools culture towards better communication, active listening, and away from bullying, fighting and destructive conflict.

Child participation is key to the success of a school's peer mediation scheme. That's why we involve students in the planning and design of their schools scheme. And that's why we train up students in each school to be peer mediators, so they are empowered with the skills and tools they need to resolve low-level conflicts in the playground. We also make sure that students who have been trained up through Peaceworks have a say in evaluating our work.

The cost to the schools is kept to a minimum with the school paying for the support package and the INSET training. The costs of the lessons and the peer mediation scheme are raised by Peaceworks.

If you are interested in having Peaceworks visit your school to discuss options, or would like more information please contact us.

"I just wanted to say how impressed I am with the teaching that you have done with our students today" (Lois, Teaching Assistant)