Peer Mediation facilitates change by providing a school environment that is positive, caring, safe and friendly.  This as a result can contribute to the prevention of bullying.  The Stride Peer Mediation workshops teach all students to resolve low-level conflicts using their peers as mediators.  Mediation opens up communication channels and allows the disagreeing students to discuss their problems with the guidance of mediators and come to a resolution that suits both parties.

HOW PEER MEDIATION WORKS:

Student to student conflicts are handled by the two people in dispute, with the assistance of specially trained student mediators.  Each disputant student is given the chance to tell their side of the story to the mediators, who then work through the problem in a step by step process.  This process encourages the students to find ways of resolving the problem themselves.

The mediation sessions are voluntary and confidential and bound by specific rules to ensure the process is fair.  If the conflict cannot be resolved in these sessions the mediators are trained to report the conflict to teachers for resolution.

By using Peer Mediators, incidences of school yard bullying and aggression are greatly reduced, resulting in safer and stronger school communities.

"Since commencing the program, teachers have not had to deal with as many problems or conflicts, as the Peer Mediators have actively and successfully utilised their mediation and leadership skills to resolve student conflicts."    Kelly, primary school teacher

ABOUT THE TRAINING:

Stride's Peer Mediation can be run as a professional development program for teachers and wellbeing team members, where participants are trained on how to implement the program at their school.  Alternatively, Stride can directly train students selected to be mediators.

The workshop provides training in the six steps of mediation:

• Provides a carefully documented training model for teachers to train suitable students as Peer Mediators
• Shows how mediation can be used in a variety of low lwevel conflicts between students
• Explains two forms of mediation; formal and informal
• Provides a framework for using mediation as part of an overall school anti-bullying policy; for working towards a friendly cooperative school culture

Peer Mediation participants also receive:

A teachers handbook | a handbook for student peer mediators | a resource CD | ongoing support from Stride

Peer Mediation is suitable for both primary and secondary schools.  Stride can assist you in determining the mediation model that is right for your school. 

Workshop prices To enquire about Stride delivering Peer Mediation direct to your students contact us or fill in our workshop request form. Calendar of Professional Development Workshops Peer Mediation Teaching Resources Available Inculding Teacher's Manual, Student Booklets, Student Badges and Student Certificates.