48 THE SIXTH FORM


Peer Support and Mentoring at QEH


The ‘Peer Scheme’ is extremely popular among the Upper Sixth (the ‘Peers’), with well over thirty people applying each year for the twenty places available. Those who are accepted are trained intensively in listening skills, the fundamental principle of the scheme. All supporters and mentors are frequently given talks on topical issues such as cyber bullying and stress by Sarah Maltin and outside speakers.


Peer Support is now in its fifteenth year, under the direction of Sarah, who established the scheme. It was created to help new pupils overcome problems when entering QEH, as research has shown that talking to peers about concerns is far more effective than talking to adults. The support system is run in Years 7 and 8, with Peer Mentoring (identical to Peer Support but with a focus on the problems boys are likely to face higher up in the school) run in Year 9. For those new in Year 9, the ebuddy scheme has been very successful in allowing the boys to communicate with their mentor through the use of email.


The teams of supporters meet weekly with their allocated groups. Numerous quizzes and exercises (such as ‘What would you take to a desert island?’) provide fun and debate for each group of younger boys.


Perhaps the most enjoyable activities for both Support and Mentoring are the annual bowling trips, organised by Sarah, which provide the perfect opportunity for the supporters to bond and to get to know their group in an informal and fun situation.


The key words for this effective system are ‘support’, ‘informal’ and ‘fun’ but Sarah Maltin and Peter Jones also maintain a sensitive and professional ethic to underpin its serious value - for both the younger boys and their Sixth Form mentors and supporters.


Patrick Krause


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