Peer mentors prove perfect role models

At Priory we realise that our older pupils are excellent role models for younger pupils and so we have a very successful peer mentoring programme in place. Every progress group has at least one fully qualified peer mentor who will help other pupils cope with everyday life and worries at school and will offer guidance on both social and academic areas of school life.

The pupils had to apply in Year 9 to become mentors and have now found their feet in their important roles in Year 10.  They act as reading mentors to younger students, they are a point of contact within their progress groups for new Year 7 pupils and they work alongside the prefects to represent the school at events such as open evenings.

All Year 9s are invited to apply at the end of the summer term ready to take on the role in Year 10. Pupils complete an application form and must include a teacher reference. They carry out a short training course in September to learn about the role and what is expected of them. 

Mrs Holland, who leads the peer mentor programme at Priory, said: “In return, it counts towards the voluntary work part of their Duke of Edinburgh, it’s used on application forms to become a prefect in Year 11 and it’s part of their PiXL Award, to build up credits.”

Connor, a Year 10 reading mentor, said: “I enjoy doing it, it’s the satisfaction of having an influence on someone and helping them.”

The mentors run the paired reading programme for their particular house one afternoon a week.  A Year 8 pupil who is helped by the mentors, said: “It’s really improved my reading, I set myself targets and I have achieved them.”