Towards the end of the term, my colleagues and I were interviewing Sixth Form students applying for our school-based leadership programme. Each candidate submits a letter of application, secures a teacher’s reference, and then faces an interview. As part of the process, they prepare a short presentation outlining a school-wide initiative they would like to lead. It’s a demanding challenge, and their responses have been nothing short of impressive.
What strikes me most in these conversations is how much students do quietly, without fanfare, to ‘give back’. Many volunteer their time to support younger pupils in subject clinics, helping them navigate the curriculum. Others spend breaks in the Prep School, playing games or reading with younger children. Some take part in outreach projects, visiting local primary schools to work on a range of initiatives. Listening to them reflect on these experiences, it’s clear they gain as much as they give, whether by coaxing shy children out of their shells or celebrating with them as they master a difficult skill.
One programme, however, seems to have a particularly profound impact: Peer Mentoring. Each year, Fifth Form pupils apply through the School Counsellor to become mentors. They are interviewed, assessed for suitability, and, if successful, receive thorough training before being paired with a ‘client’ – a pupil who has either self-referred or been referred by the pastoral team. Mentors meet weekly with the School Counsellor to review cases, share challenges, and support one another.
Speaking with students involved in Peer Mentoring, I am struck by their professionalism and the seriousness with which they approach the role. They understand the importance of listening and creating space for their client to speak. They develop strategies to build trust – finding common ground, playing games to break down barriers – and, most importantly, they know their role is not to provide solutions but to walk alongside their client as they make sense of their challenges.
The programme has been running at Cokethorpe for five years, and many current mentors were once clients themselves. This experience not only helps them build trust but often motivates them to give back in the same way they were supported.
For Sixth Form students, Peer Mentoring offers an opportunity to develop vital skills. For their clients, it provides a lifeline. Sometimes the issue is loneliness, friendship difficulties, low confidence, or a challenging family situation. There are rarely easy answers, but having someone to share the burden can make all the difference. The closeness in age between mentor and client is key; young people can be wary of adult intervention, but someone just a little older feels different.
In a world that can sometimes feel tokenistic, these conversations with leadership applicants have been heartening. Their commitment to giving back is genuine and deeply rewarding. It has also highlighted a quiet, discrete part of life at Cokethorpe; a programme that works under the radar, professionally supervised and carefully coordinated, staffed by trained students who help their peers make sense of the world around them.
Andrew Uglow
Deputy Head (Academic)
