The assembly video Y12 students watch at the start of the programme

We have been working with secondary schools across the country to deliver Peer Mentor Training Journeys. In its simplest terms, this means equipping a group of older pupils with the skills and knowledge required to peer mentor younger pupils in their school. These programmes aim to improve confidence and communication in both groups of pupils, whilst developing a stronger sense of school community through increased cross-year interactions. These skills are vital for both the older pupils as they think about their transition out of school, and the younger pupils as they transition into secondary school.

So, how does this work on the ground?

The programme can be broken down into the following five stages:

01. The launch

We launch the programme to the older group of pupils through an assembly – either live or with this jazzy video. The pupils apply online to take part, and we work with each school to select the group of pupils who will be trained as peer mentors.

02. The first training day

A team of Oppidan mentors travel to the school to mentor and train the older pupils. This takes place in small groups over a series of interactive workshops. Our Oppidan mentors come from a range of professional backgrounds and we work to match these with the pupils’ interests. On this first training day the pupils learn essential safeguarding information, whilst developing their empathy and communication skills through case studies and group work.

03. The first peer mentoring session

Each school selects the group of younger pupils who will be mentored on the programme. We help to partner each older mentor with two younger mentees. With the older pupils now trained to be peer-mentors, we return to the school to facilitate this first session. Each mentee receives a Handbook to support and guide 12 sessions of peer mentoring.

04. The second training day

A few weeks into the peer mentoring sessions, the team of Oppidan mentors will return to the school for a second training day with the older pupils. This second series of workshops requires the mentors to reflect on their experience so far before extending their understanding of how to be a great mentor. We encourage them to think of their next steps and transition out of school through goal setting activities which they can also use to further support their own mentees.

05. Graduation

Following the 12 weeks of peer mentoring, we return to the school to celebrate the programme and congratulate both mentors and mentees. This also marks the final impact point: the pupils are surveyed at the start and completion of the programme. These surveys, along with teacher-reported data, are analysed by our Head of Impact to produce a bespoke Impact Report for each school.