Peer mediation

[QUOTE-START]

“creative conflict resolution must be regarded as an important educational priority." Sue Bowers and Tom Leimdorfer, 1990

- Quaker Faith & Practice 24.54

[QUOTE-END]

In Peer Mediation, children are taught the skills of listening, empathy and how to help people find win:win solutions, much the same as professional mediators. They then use these skills to help those the same age or younger than themselves to resolve fall outs.

School communities that have peer mediation schemes report:

• Increased empathy, understanding, and pro-social behaviours across the school.
• Increased confidence and academic attainment of peer mediators themselves.
• Staff spending less time dealing with disputes, leaving more time for teaching and learning.

You can see peer mediation action in primary here:

You can see more videos about peer mediation here.

Our work to support peer mediation draws on Quakers long experience in both conciliation and peace education.

Quakers work closely with the Civil Mediation Council (CMC) to support the growth and development of peer mediation. We do this by:

• Promoting peer mediation with educators, policy makers and politicians
• Recruiting and training more people who can train children to be peer mediators
• Working with trainers to develop and extend good practice

Peer mediation in Wales

For two years the Welsh Centre for International Affairs and Quakers in Britain have been working together with primary schools in Wales to develop peer mediation schemes as part of being a peace school. Pupils and teachers from across Wales shared with us their thoughts on the difference peer mediation has made.

With thanks to the pupils and teachers, Southall Trust and Quakers in South Wales.

Ers dwy flynedd mae Canolfan Materion Rhyngwladol Cymru a'r Crynwyr ym Mhrydain wedi bod yn cydweithio ag ysgolion yng Nghymru i ddatblygu cynlluniau cyfryngu rhwng cyfoedion fel rhan o fod yn Ysgol Heddwch. Mae disgyblion ac athrawon o bob rhan o Gymru wedi bod yn rhannu eu meddyliau â ni am y gwahaniaeth mae cyfryngu rhwng cyfoedion wedi'i wneud.

Gyda diolch i'r disgyblion a'r athrawon, Ymddiriedolaeth Southall a'r Crynwyr yn Ne Cymru.

Training

Peer mediation training is often provided by a training provider who has a background in mediation, or peace education. Training is also sometimes delivered by staff already working in a school.

You can search for training providers local to you at https://civilmediation.org/mediator-search

As part of our work to build capacity for peer mediation in Britain, we have developed a train the trainer course for anyone wanting to introduce peer mediation in schools. Training covers all the knowledge, skills and resources you might need, as well as ongoing support. The next course runs between 21 to 23 April 2026 at Friends House, London. Find out more on Eventbrite.

We are also able to put on training especially for staff from a group of schools, or people who would like work together to go into schools.

For further information about train the trainer courses, please email peermediation@quaker.org.uk