Peer Mediation

Peer Mediation is a process in which those students in conflict are guided by two trained peer mediators through a series of steps so that they can find their own way of resolving problems.

The main aims of teaching mediation in schools are:

to develop social skills for pupils and staff in dealing with conflict in a more positive way.
to create a calm, co-operative classroom atmosphere
to affirm pupils and raise their self-esteem
to give pupils alternatives to disruption and violence
to create understanding and awareness of others
to give pupils ownership of their resolution of disputes
to enhance learning through creating a safer, more positive environment.

Through mediation, young people are empowered to understand their own emotions and how their feelings can affect their behaviour and the behaviour of others around them. Mediation gives them an opportunity to voice their feelings about incidents which to adults seem trivial, but to them are hurtful. It enables a reconciling of people, enabling them to see each other as human beings rather than as enemies, criminals or bullies.