Create a nurturing learning environment

Let us educate – build pupils’ emotional intelligence and self-esteem

I work with primary school children in Years 4, 5 and 6 delivering onsite training that helps develop children’s emotional intelligence and boost self-esteem.

I have substantial experience of working with inner-city schools and deliver training for children and teachers in playground buddies, peer mediation and school councils. My training supports schools to create a nurturing learning environment and helps tackle any pastoral care or behavioural issues head on. It also supports anti-bullying commitment.

I can develop and deliver a bespoke package of support to include training for pupils, staff, an assembly session to reinforce the learning, plus telephone and email support. Certificates can also be provided. Please contact me to discuss your school’s needs.

Schools Peer Mediation Case Study

Cherry Fold Primary School

Smile Mediation is a community mediation service based very near to Cherry Fold Primary School. The school were experiencing problems with conflicts on the playground and it was having a knock on impact on learning. They were looking for ways to deal with these issues and when Smile Mediation suggested a Playground Peer Mediation scheme, the headteacher agreed that it would be very helpful.

Smile Mediation partnered with Peacebuilders to create a bespoke Peer Mediation package of support and training for the school. Two staff coordinators were recruited to run the scheme and I provided advice and resources to recruit children and get the scheme established. I provided three days of training for eighteen year 5 and year 6 children, as well as a staff INSET and assembly plans to raise awareness of the new scheme in school.

The children rose to the challenge and the feedback several months on was that it was helping to create a calmer atmosphere in the playground and immediately after break time. The teachers reported a particular transformation in the behaviour of one of the children who became a peer mediator. The responsibility of the role gave him a new lease of life and focus for his energy.

Are you considering peer mediation for your school but not sure if it’s suitable?

Call me or drop me an e-mail.

playground-buddies-001

Primary Playground Buddies Toolkit

I am co-author of the Primary Playground Buddies Toolkit, a teaching resource for primary school teachers. The manual highlights the value of playground buddies in schools and supports a culture of kindness, empathy and cooperation.

The Primary Playground Buddies Toolkit contains:

  • Advice on how to get started
  • Selecting children to be buddies
  • Ten sessions for training pupils as buddies
  • Tips for keeping things going after the initial burst of enthusiasm
  • Template certificates
  • Assembly outlines
  • A host of other activities and games
  • An evaluation of the impact of playground buddies in two Manchester primary schools found that 78% of children felt safer in the playground with buddies on duty