Worksop buddy system hailed success

Pupils at Worksop Priory Church of England Primary School have championed the peer mentoring scheme which supports children with friendship and other minor issues.

Specially trained negotiators from years 4, 5 and 6 look out for children in the playground who may be on their own and try and sort out any issues that exist.

Teacher Lesley Howard and teaching assistant Geraldine Chambers praised the pupils’ input and said many minor issues had been solved by the pupils themselves before involving an adult.

The school has also recently been awarded two prestigious awards – the Peer Mentoring and Befriending Foundation Award and The Diana Award, named after the late Princess Diana.

The pupils recently put on a presentation at the Anti-bullying Showcase at Mansfield Palace Theatre where more than 250 pupils performed to a packed theatre.

Eleven year old Antony Martin said they have a buddy bench at school where we try to sort out any problems we may have.

“Some of the younger children just need a friendly face to chat to and we’ve been trained what to say and do,” he said.

And fellow pupil Jessica Pedersen, 10, agreed the scheme worked well.

“We’ve sorted out a lot of minor problems like someone saying something horrible and we make sure everyone is friends by the end of break time,” she said.

Notts County Council anti-bullying co-ordinator Lorna Naylor said: “Worksop Priory was one of 15 schools which took part in our biggest ever showcase and the theatre was a sell out.”

“The performances from the children and young people were outstanding and showed a maturity way above their years.”