DACA (offsite link) was selected from a number of schools who applied to work with us in the academic year 2024/5 to develop their peer-led conflict resolution. DACA already has a commitment to developing restorative and relational practice. This project will put some of that into the hands of young people.
This work has been supported as a legacy to the work of the charity Talking Works. Talking Works have historically given sixth formers (age 16–18) the opportunity to learn more about mediation by providing training and input from professional mediators. Their work has now been wound up, and they have passed on residual funds to support this work.
Project plan
Our work with DACA in this academic year aims to develop an understanding of what best practice in peer led conflict resolution in a secondary school looks like.
At DACA we are working towards a number of outcomes:
- all Year 12 student having an increased awareness of conflict and mediation
- establish a sustainable Peer Mediation scheme at DACA
- establish a sustainable Peer Mediation in at least two local primary schools
The project has a number of stages
- explore concepts of conflict and mediation with all Year 12 students through delivery of a two hour programme
- select a diverse group of Year 12 students to be Peer Mediators
- train selected Year 12s in the principles and practice of mediation
- work with Year 12 students to design and launch the service to the rest of the school
- recruit a cohort of Year 10 students to join to the Peer Mediation team
- work with Year 12s to deliver training to Year 10s
- work with Year 12s to deliver training to Year 5s in local primary schools
We are working closely with DACA staff to consider what works best at each stage.
We will work with DACA to share our learning with others along the way.
