SOS: Students Offer Support

A new Peer Support Scheme has been introduced in preparation for the arrival of the Year 7s in September 2008.

Training has been provided by Ellen Cook, a teacher from a York Specialist Unit, who is a trained Child Line counsellor.

The scheme involves 20 Year 10 pupils who have volunteered to take part in training in counselling and listening skills, the rules of confidentiality, questioning techniques as well as explorations of solutions done by group discussions and role play.

 All of the Year 10 pupils wear a badge at all times to ensure that they are easily identifiable.

The purpose of this group is to provide support for the younger pupils, so that they have someone that they can approach other than a teacher. They would then be able to discuss any problems or issues that they may have, whilst being confident that they will be treated sympathetically.

There is a notice board and there are also posters displayed around the school in order to improve awareness for all pupils and to provide them with details of the drop-in sessions that occur 3 times a week.