The purpose of peer mediation is to help children find appropriate ways to respond to problems with others, it is not about telling others what to do. Peer mediators do not "make decisions" but rather work towards a win-win resolution for both sides in order to avoid further trouble.

The children learn:

• Learn responsibility for their behaviour.
• Learn to be responsive to their peers in a co-operative and constructive manner.
• Improve communication skills.
• Learn to be fair and impartial.
• Improve self-esteem.

We are lucky to have around 30 children in Years 5 and 6 who have been trained for the role. They are able to resolve conflict on the playground and are an extremely positive influence both at lunchtime and in their own classrooms too.

A number of children from Reception through to Year 6 have utilised the service and some of their comments are below:

"The mediators are kind and helpful. They helped me solve a problem between me and a friend." - Year 1 pupil

"They are very useful in sorting out problems and it is nice to have someone to go to." - Year 2 pupil

"The mediators are great at listening to problems." - Year 4 pupil

"The mediators encourage people to sort out their own problems by listening and understanding. There is less need to bother the lunchtime supervisors." - Year 6 pupil