How can we extend our peer mediation work?
Q: At our school we have the usual problems and we have tried to tackle bullying, arguments, friendship swaps, rough play etc., with a system of Peer Mediation. Groups of pupils are trained to mediate in minor disputes to try and sort things out without adult intervention and before they get out of hand. For most disagreements it works really well. Does anyone else use this and are there ways we could it extend it perhaps?
Jenny: Peer Mediation offers children some fantastic strategies. However, I have to sound a note of caution. I have been in many schools where they were unaware that they had a very poor lunchtime policy. They had left out many key features, such as teaching playground games, craze of the week, etc. etc. They were aware that they had problems but then moved too swiftly down the route to mediation. Consequently, because there was little else for the children to do, they were creating problems just so that they could receive some attention from the mediators. The Peer mediation process was causing more problems than it was solving! You would need to tick off all the key ingredients that make a truly sound lunchtime policy before you bring in peer mediation. Some head teachers make sure that every child is trained in peer mediation and that small groups take it in turns to become the mediators. Lorna Farrington has written some practical manuals called Playground Peacemakers. Our own book on lunchtimes has some training sessions for Playground Friends. There are some splendid resources on the market which could help you to extend your scheme. However, theoretically, if children were happy and engaged in positive activities, they would need less mediation rather than more. Good luck
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