Peer Mediation & Schools

Peer Mediation and Conflict Training for Schools – London and UK

NVC Resolutions provide a range of trainings to facilitate the emotional, social and moral development of your pupils and contribute to a culture of respect within your school. Our specialised Peer Mediation and conflict resolution trainings – outlined below – are suitable for primary and secondary schools and aimed at both teachers and pupils, covering areas such as anti-bullying, emotional literacy, active listening, conflict training, peer mentoring and peer mediation.

Our schools programme is currently facilitated by Pauline Doohan, who has worked alongside Daren De Witt for several years. If you wish to discuss training for your school, please contact Pauline at: pauline.doohan[at]gmail.com

Scroll down this page or click below to read about the following programmes:
Peer Mediation Programme
Peer Mentoring Programme
Emotional Literacy and Active Listening for Students
Conflict Resolution Skills for Students
Class training in Conflict Resolution
Teacher Training in Conflict Resolution
Midday Supervisors Training in Conflict Resolution
Nonviolent Communication training for Schools

The basis of our training programmes is the internationally-recognised empathy and conflict resolution process known as NVC – Nonviolent Communication. We can tailor our programmes and interventions to meet your needs and fit your timetable. Our conflict resolution training programmes for schools can help you to:

    peer-mediation-and-conflict-resolutions-training-for-schools-london-uk-bullying

  • Reduce bullying in your school
  • Create a safer environment and a culture of listening and respect
  • Empower students to take responsibility
  • Develop communication and conflict management skills for students and staff
  • Save teacher time – particularly time spent dealing with minor issues between students
  • Build upon your existing anti-bullying and behaviour policies
  • Support a wider range of pupils by creating the opportunity for them to confide in their peers.

Our typical programmes include:

Level 1 – Emotional Literacy and Active Listening

Emotional literacy and active listening skills exercises are presented to staff during twilight sessions or training days. These exercises can then be delivered to pupils in class time and will help to nurture an ethos of emotional self-awareness and inter-personal awareness throughout your school. Our approach to emotional literacy is unique in that it includes ‘needs literacy’ as well as the more common ‘feelings literacy’. As all feelings arise from needs, this gives an added depth and power to student’s self-awareness and ability to listen to and support others.

Level 2 – Conflict Resolution Skills for School Students

The emotional literacy and active listening skills can be built on with ‘level two’ conflict skills exercises, again presented to staff during twilight sessions or training days. When delivered to pupils, they will be equipped with an understanding of the roots of conflict and how they can talk to one another to resolve disagreements. They will consequently achieve an increased sense of responsibility.

Level 3 – Peer Mediation and Peer Mentoring Peer Mediation Programmes

A group of selected pupils can be trained to be peer mediators and peer mentors for younger pupils. Our Peer Mediation programme is outlined in detail below and our Peer Mentoring programme is outlined after the Peer Mediation programme.

Peer Mediation Training for Schools – London and UK

peer-mediation-training-for-schools-london-&-UK-1Peer mediation is currently the most popular conflict resolution training programme that NVC Resolutions is delivering in schools in London and surrounding counties.  Peer mediation training equips pupils with essential conflict resolution skills that will be valuable throughout their lives. It contributes to an ethos of listening and respect within a school, and also to a more peaceful playground environment. It increases students’ self-esteem and confidence in their own abilities. It helps to manage bullying in schools, as one of several anti-bullying strategies that schools can adopt.  And it provides valuable support for staff, freeing up their time from dealing with less serious, though still important, conflicts between students.

Scroll down or click for information about:
How Peer Mediation works
Outline of our Peer Mediation training programme
Requirements to run a Peer Mediation scheme

Download our Steps to Creating a Peer Mediation Scheme outline here icon_pdf.jpg

How Peer Mediation works

Peer mediators are available on a rota basis to mediate in a room or playground space during lunch or other times. Any two pupils who are having an argument have the choice to go to peer mediation to facilitate resolution of their conflict. They can be encouraged in this by midday supervisors, teachers or other staff members. If only one person goes to the mediators, the mediators can discuss the conflict with them informally, helping them decide what they could do about the conflict. Through careful training, peer mediators are encouraged not to boss others around or give advice, but rather to use active listening skills to help those in conflict make their own decisions about how to solve their problems. Mediations can also take place in the classroom during lessons, if teachers value using the mediators in this way.

No of pupils:

Typically 12 – 20 depending on the size of your school. Year 5 / 6 (possibly yr 4) in primary schools. Any year in secondary schools.

Length of peer mediation training:

Peer Mediation training is normally 3 days in length. It can be delivered in 2 days if your resources are limited. An optional half or full day follow-up after the scheme has been running for a few months is also possible.  The training is best if spread out, eg 3 days training over period of 2 weeks.

Outline of our Peer Mediation training programme

peer-mediation-training-for-schools-2Our training is based around 5 ‘stepping stones’ to conflict resolution.  Activities are designed to be experiential, fun and to engage pupils mentally, emotionally and physically.

Main themes:
Introduction: Creating group norms for group safety; exploring participants own responses to conflict – how do they react when they get into conflict; getting overview of peer mediation process; introduction to core concept of ‘needs’.
Stepping Stone 1 – Creating Trust and Safety: Exploring trust; exploring anger – how it feels in our bodies; safe ways of transforming anger; supporting someone who is feeling angry.
Stepping Stone 2 – Sharing Stories: Core listening skills, including distinguishing fact from interpretation; empathising with feelings; translating ‘blame’ language into ‘need’ language.
Stepping Stone 3 – Connecting Heart-to-heart: Supporting the students in the conflict to hear each other’s feelings and needs.
Stepping Stone 4 – Finding Solutions: Helping the students in the conflict to find their own solutions.
Stepping Stone 5 – Ending in Harmony: Clarifying what the students have agreed to do about their conflict; closing.

Role-play Practice: Day 3 of the peer mediation training is based around role-play practice of full mediations; fun activities that strengthen teamwork and mediator pair work are also included.

Follow-up (day 4): A fourth day (or half day) of peer mediation training can take place after the scheme has been running for two months. On this day we explore difficulties that the peer mediators have been experiencing – in mediations, as well as with the peer mediation scheme as a whole – and engage in activities that deepen the peer mediators skills.

Requirements to run a Peer Mediation scheme

Staff member to coordinate scheme:

peer-mediation-training-for-schools-london-UK-3.jpg For ownership and effective running of the peer mediation scheme, a member of staff is required to act as coordinator – e.g. a teacher, teacher assistant, or learning mentor. The coordinator would provide ongoing support and supervision of the peer mediation team, involving weekly or fortnightly meetings and day-to-day support. We strongly recommend that a second adult is involved to support the peer mediation scheme and ensure continuity over time. It is essential that the coordinator is present throughout the peer mediation training (ideally the assistant also).

Room for peer mediations:

Best where there are a few adults nearby, in case they are needed. A room could be inside the school building. Alternatively, a quiet sheltered area of the playground could be used.

Peer Mediation Scheme launch:

Assemblies or classroom demos by peer mediators. Teachers and midday supervisors need to be informed and supportive. Badges, caps or other ways of identifying mediators are used in primary schools.

Interested in Establishing Peer Mediation in your School?

Are you interested in establishing a Peer Mediation Scheme in your school? Contact Daren De Witt at NVC Resolutions to discuss our services and how we might be able to support you.  Phone Daren or email him – details are on the right hand side of this page, towards the top.

Peer Mentoring Programme:

peer-mentoring-for-schools-london-ukHow Peer Mentoring works: The emphasis with peer mentoring is on one to one interactions, with older students mentoring younger ones and sharing their experience with them. Peer mentors provide one-to-one support to younger pupils struggling with issues of friendship, isolation, communication, and other problems related to their age group. Peer mentors may link up with a particular class, which they visit regularly to build a friendly relationship with pupils so that the younger pupils will trust them and go to them for support. As with peer mediation, student mentors may be available on a rota basis during lunchtimes, or may make specific arrangements to meet pupils from their allotted class on a given date / time.

No of pupils: This is dependent on the size of your school – 12 to 20 pupils is common. In large schools the scheme can be rolled out each year to another group.
Training:The emotional literacy and active listening skills mentioned above form the basis of the mentoring skills taught to peer mentors. The length of the training would be 1 day in length if following on from the Level 1 and 2 programmes above, or would be a 2 day programme if standing alone. The peer mentoring skills can also be taught as part of our peer mediation programme, so your pupils can be trained as both mentors and mediators at the same time. A room and a committed coordinating member of staff are required!
Themes covered on the Peer Mentoring training programme: establishing facts; listening for feelings; getting to student’s needs; encouraging solutions without giving advice; exploring common difficulties in the school; exploring basic conflict dynamics. Pupils will work with a peer mentoring script.

Class Training in Conflict Resolution:

conflict-resolution-training-for-schools-london-uk-2As an alternative to the above programme, we also offer conflict resolution training for students in class groups, where we will come in and deliver training directly to students. In primary schools this may be in the format of circle time sessions of roughly 30 mins duration. In secondary schools it may take the form of tutor group class sessions or whole day trainings for groups of students.  As well as conflict resolution, we also teach active listening skills for students at both primary and secondary levels.

Themes include:

  • Exploring pupils personal responses to conflict
  • Understanding and transforming anger
  • Exploring feelings and needs for pupils
  • Active listening skills
  • Resolving conflicts with other students

Staff / Teacher Training in Conflict Resolution:

school-staff-training-conflict-management-resolutionWe offer training for teachers as part of a peer mediation scheme, or separately, to support teachers conflict resolution practice in the school. A basic training programme for teachers involves 2 or 3 twilight sessions, or 1 to 2 inset days.

Themes include:

  • What conflicts are present in the school?
  • Exploring teachers’ personal responses to conflict.
  • The iceberg of anger – hurts, fears and needs under anger.
  • The Nonviolent Communication (NVC) model, incorporating: making non-judgemental observations; expressing and connecting with feelings and needs; making clear, do-able requests.
  • Basic mediation training for dealing with conflicts between pupils (and adults, too!)

We can also provide stand-alone staff training of any length and for any group, in skills to support listening and empathy towards students.

Midday Supervisors training in Conflict Resolution:

midday-supervisors-training-conflict-resolution-playground-pupil-managementMidday Supervisor conflict resolution training can take the form of a fuller course of 3 or 4 x 3 hour sessions duration, exploring conflict resolution in detail, or one 2 or 3 hour session to familiarise playground or lunchtime supervisors with a Peer Mediation scheme.

3 or 4 week course exploring:

  • Mapping the playground / exploring danger spots for pupils.
  • Nonviolent Communication skills.
  • Basic mediation training – resolving conflicts between pupils.


Nonviolent Communication Training for Schools:

We can support your school or college to integrate Nonviolent Communication into the teaching and learning styles of staff and pupils.  Contact Daren to discuss how we might do this.
 

Costs for Our Schools Programmes:

Typical costs:
£250 for a staff twilight training session
£4-600 per day for peer mentoring / peer mediation training or stand-alone staff training.

We are open to negotiation re costs, so please contact us to discuss costs and your programme further!

Contact Us:

For more information on any of these trainings for teachers or students contact Pauline Doohan via email in the first instance and she will email or phone you back: pauline.doohan[at]gmail.com.

London Boroughs Close to our Office

We can support any school in any London borough or neighbouring county. If your school is further away from London, it may be possible for us to deliver training if it is either a one day training, of if it is held on consecutive days, eg with Peer Mediation training.

We are particularly well placed to run schemes in the following London boroughs: Camden, City of London, Croydon, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith & Fulham, Islington, Kensington & Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham, Tower Hamlets, Southwark, Wandsworth, Westminster

Camden, London, UK

Our Conflict Resolution Training For Schools service is based a short distance from the London borough of Camden, and we are happy to run peer mediation training and conflict resolution training to primary and secondary Camden schools.

City of London, UK

Our Peer Mediation and Conflict Resolution Training For Schools service is based a short distance from the City of London, and we are happy to deliver peer mediation and conflict resolution trainings to primary and secondary schools in the City of London.

Croydon, London, UK

Our Conflict Resolution Training For Schools service is located to the north of Croydon and are happy to offer Peer Mediation and Conflict Resolution Training to schools in Croydon.

Greenwich, London, UK

Our Conflict Resolution Training For Schools service is based near to the London borough of Greenwich, and we we are pleased to offer peer mediation training and conflict resolution training to primary and secondary schools in Greenwich.

Hackney, London, UK

Our Conflict Resolution Training For Schools service is based in the London borough of Hackney, and we we are pleased to offer peer mediation training and conflict resolution training to primary and secondary schools in Hackney.

Hammersmith & Fulham, London, UK

Our Conflict Resolution Training For Schools service is based near to the London borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, and we are pleased to offer peer mediation training and conflict resolution training to primary and secondary schools in Hammersmith & Fulham.

Islington, London, UK

We are available now to run Peer Mediation and conflict resolution training programmes for schools in Islington, London.

Kensington & Chelsea, London, UK

Our Conflict Resolution Training For Schools service is based near to the London borough of Kensington & Chelsea, and we we are pleased to offer peer mediation training and conflict resolution training to primary and secondary schools in Kensington & Chelsea.

Lambeth, London, UK

Our Conflict Resolution Training For Schools service is based in the adjacent borough to Lambeth, and we we are pleased to offer peer mediation training and conflict resolution training to primary and secondary schools in Lambeth.

Lewisham, London, UK

Our Conflict Resolution Training For Schools service is based in the adjacent borough to Lewisham, and we we are pleased to offer peer mediation training and conflict resolution training to primary and secondary schools in Lewisham.

Newham, London, UK

Our Peer Mediation and Conflict Resolution Training For Schools service is based near to Newham and we have delivered trainings in the borough of Newham on many occasions. If you are a primary or secondary school in Newham, contact us to see how we can help you.

Tower Hamlets, London, UK

Our Peer Mediation and Conflict Resolution Training For Schools service is located near to the London borough of Tower Hamlets. Consequently, we can offer a range of conflict resolution services for primary and secondary schools in Tower Hamlets.

Southwark, London, UK

Our Conflict Resolution Training For Schools service is based in the London borough of Southwark, and we are very happy to offer peer mediation training and conflict resolution training to all primary and secondary schools in Southwark.

Wandsworth, London, UK

It is a short distance from our offices to Wandsworth primary and secondary schools. Contact us for Peer Mediation Training and Conflict Resolution Training for staff, students and pupils in your school in Wandsworth.

Westminster, London, UK

Westminster primary and secondary schools are easily reachable from our offices. Contact us for Peer Mediation Training and Conflict Resolution Training for staff, students and pupils in your school in Westminster.

Other London Boroughs

We are also happy to work in: Barking & Dagenham, Barnet, Bexley, Brent, Bromley, Ealing, Enfield, Havering, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Redbridge, Richmond upon Thames, Sutton, Wandsworth.