Call for peer mediators in every school
‘There is currently enthusiasm for conflict resolution in the criminal justice system, so this is a time of opportunity.'
Every school in Britain should have peer mediators, Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) has said.
The call follows the widespread success of peer mediation schemes, which have been found to reduce student conflict, create more quality learning time, and foster confidence and better communication skills in pupils.
More than 100 UK schools already have peer mediation schemes, supported by a network of organisations including Quaker charities and local mediation services.
Now, a grant from the Sir James Reckitt Charitable Trust has allowed a new post of ‘peer mediation national coordinator’ to be created, working with key partners such as the Civil Mediation Council (CMC) and Scottish Mediation to engage schools directly.
Ellis Brooks, peace education coordinator at BYM and chair of the newly-formed peer mediation working group of the CMC, said: ‘There is currently enthusiasm for conflict resolution in the criminal justice system, so this is a time of opportunity.
‘But conflict resolution shouldn’t be a last resort, it should be something we are all equipped with for everyday life.’
One scheme at an Exeter school, run by a Quaker teacher, was cited in the school’s last Ofsted report.
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