This week, we sat down with our Sixth Form Peer Mentor Team to learn more about the programme’s impact and what being a Peer Mentor really means.
Currently, ten Prep pupils benefit from one-on-one mentor pairings, offering a safe, neutral space where they can share their feelings with someone relatable. The mentors emphasised that speaking to a peer, rather than a parent or teacher, makes the experience less daunting and allows mentees to feel truly heard.
Each mentor undergoes thorough training, learning to actively listen and tune in to others. This approach ensures every pupil knows they have someone they can turn to without fear of judgment. Many mentors reflected on their own experiences during lockdown, noting that they had missed the chance to have mentors themselves. For them, the programme is a meaningful way to give back and foster a stronger sense of community.
The benefits extend beyond the mentees. Mentors have found that their confidence has grown through running assemblies, working as a team, and organising events and projects. Pupils involved in the Peer Mentor programme also support the Hot Chocolate & Chat club, creating another safe space for Senior School pupils to meet, play games, and feel accepted.
One of the Peer Mentors, Oliver, shared:
“If they are feeling a bit down in our session, then knowing how to cheer them up by playing a game or having a chat really makes their day better.”
Observations from the sessions show that mentees often gain confidence that extends into their wider social circles, helping them feel more comfortable and less intimidated by older pupils. The Peer Mentor programme is a shining example of Cokethorpe’s ethos of community, care, and support — values that are especially important during Child Mental Health Week.
