Peer Mediation Programme
Peer Mediation Scheme involves training Year 4-6 pupils to mediate playground conflicts at school. The scheme is run by volunteer pupils independently, and benefits the whole school. It improves pupils' behaviour, motivation and leads to calmer classrooms.
WMS is a non-profit conflict resolution and training provider who has trained over 200 young mediators since 2020. What makes us stand out is that our training is fully games-based, fun, and SEN-friendly. For our innovative training programmes, we received an Innovation Award at the NMA-2024.
How does peer mediation work?
- We train 15–30 pupils in Years 4–6 to be peer mediators.
- They run a mediation service in the playground every day at break time, helping children sort out conflicts calmly and fairly.
- Two mediators guide pupils to share feelings, listen, and agree a solution. Anything serious (like bullying) goes straight to staff.
- Mediators stay in role until they leave for secondary school (usually 1–2 years).
“Less issues are being brought to teachers’ attention after lunch time or to playtime staff during lunch time.”
Some of the schools we’ve worked with include:
What’s included
- Intro workshops for whole classes to explain mediation and invite applications.
- Three days of training for selected pupils (total 9 hours).
- Launch event to introduce the programme to the whole school.
- Staff workshop so teachers and support staff know how it works.
- Top-up session for mediators one term later.
- Ongoing support and resources (tabards, rotas, records, handouts).
Participants
A minimum of 10 and a maximum of 20 students can enrol in each course, typically from Year 5 or 6.
Participants are chosen based on an application process. Pupils keen to participate submit a form to their teachers, and the school then selects those they believe will benefit most from the programme.
Outcomes
Peer mediators gain:
- Conflict resolution skills for life.
- Teamwork and leadership experience.
- Greater emotional awareness.
- Confidence and assertiveness.
The whole school sees:
- Calmer playgrounds & classrooms.
- Less staff time on sorting pupil conflict.
- Stronger pupil voice and inclusion.
- A positive impact on wellbeing and behaviour that supports Ofsted priorities.
In the last school we ran the programme:
“Peer mediation has given children the confidence to ask for help. The programme is excellent and the children love it.”
Funding and set-up for schools
The programme is usually funded by the school or through grants and donations. When we have sufficient funding, we offer it to state schools at no cost.
Check-list for schools
Choose champion. To ensure successful implementation, the scheme needs support from the entire school community, including teaching and support staff, pupils, and parents. Please appoint a ‘Peer Mediation Champion’ who will engage staff, ensure mediators follow their rotas, and act as our main point of contact.
Find a suitable room. We ask the school to provide for each session a quiet room with space for participants to move around, plus a projector or interactive whiteboard for presentations.
Complete impact forms. We provide an impact report at the end of the project, and ask that the school completes our pre- and post-programme evaluation forms.
This is how peer mediators see themselves
What people say
“Our experience of the WMS is that they are professional and committed. Peer mediation is a powerful tool to allow pupils to develop lifelong skills and has allowed pupils to become more confident and become leaders in their own settings.”
“Being a Peer Mediator is a fun, exciting experience and you learn useful life skills. I would give it a 13/10!”
“I enjoyed getting more patient and confident in talking to new people.”