Mentoring Plus has partnered with Kingswood School to create a Peer Mentoring Programme between older students at Kingswood and those from Years 6-8. The results have brought clear benefits for pupils and for the school community.
A collaboration between Kingswood School and local youth charity Mentoring Plus has led to the introduction of a Peer Mentoring Programme in the school. This helps young people of all ages and from different communities to connect and is so popular that it is consistently oversubscribed.
The project was launched in January 2022, following the disruption and isolation caused by the pandemic. The idea was to harness Mentoring Plus’ 25 years of experience training volunteer mentors and supporting young people, and equip Kingswood pupils with the skills to mentor their fellow students in Year 7 and 8, and Year 6 students of neighbouring primary school, St Andrew’s.
“We are delighted to have partnered with Mentoring Plus to provide our students with the opportunity to learn important life skills”, explains Kingswood’s Headmaster, Andrew Gordon-Brown. “We’d heard about the positive impact Mentoring Plus had made with similar programmes for other schools, and we felt they aligned with our own ethos.”
Kingswood, which prides itself on the outreach opportunities it offers its students within the local community, hoped the programme would prove popular, and indeed it is consistently oversubscribed – this year Kingswood had to run a ballot, with 80 students applying for 50 places.
“The skills our students learn through peer mentoring and the enjoyment they get from spending time one-to-one with young people is so valuable inside and outside of school”, says Barney Stuttard, Assistant Head of Sixth Form. “The communication, independence and emotional intelligence skills learnt benefit them hugely and they enjoy the sessions immensely. The celebration events we hold at the end of the programme are such joyful occasions, seeing the connections and bonds the students have formed.”
The ethos behind the programme is for students to create connections, have fun and engage with a mentor who is empathetic and kind. For children, this often lends itself to having a playful time together, which for a child experiencing challenges at school can be just what they need.
“Young people find it much easier to chat about what’s on their mind if they are doing something with someone they trust, such as playing a game or going for a walk. A simple activity takes the pressure off and creates the space for a young person to open up if they want to,” explains Mentoring Plus’ Head of Practice, Helen Goodchild.
Each weekly mentoring session lasts for one hour, with Kingswood peer mentors either mentoring in school or travelling to one of the partner primary schools, St Andrew’s or Abbot Alphege Academy.
St Andrew’s Deputy Head, Tamsin Stephen says, “There are no set objectives – mentors are trained thoroughly and supported by both schools and after that, the process is beautifully organic. The children and mentors attune and play alongside each other in really meaningful ways that we, as adults, could never plan for.”
Peer mentors are trained by Mentoring Plus in the basics of safeguarding and learn how behaviour is a form of communication, whilst exploring how to work alongside mentees, building their confidence to be a trusted older role model. Peer mentors are supported by a member of staff, who manages the matching of mentors and mentees and provides supervision and support.
One Year 12 Kingswood mentor commented, “Mentoring Plus was an amazing experience – the course helped me to develop my communication skills, including empathy, which allowed me to support my mentee better. Over the time period, you feel a real bond with your mentee which makes it an unforgettable experience.”
Kingswood School’s ethos is dedicated to supporting its students and the wider community and the programme is achieving these goals. Andrew Gordon-Brown says, “We have realised that peer mentoring has the potential to connect and inspire a whole generation of young people in Bath. If more schools could join us in partnering with Mentoring Plus, together we could create a kinder community.”
Kingswood is set to continue its partnership with Mentoring Plus, with a further round of training planned for October. Mentoring Plus, a local charity which depends on the support of its community to continue the delivery of life-changing support for young people aged 5-25 years old, is now seeking more schools in Bath & North East Somerset to partner with and extend the impact of peer mentoring in the local community.
To find out more about peer mentoring or how you can support the vital work of Mentoring Plus, visit mentoringplus.net or contact ruth.keily@mentoringplus.net;
kingswood.bath.sch.uk