Nursery World - Primary pupils train to counsel peers

Children as young as six are being trained in anger management techniques so they can act as mentors to their fellow pupils, preventing playground disputes flaring out of control or bullying. The peer-mentoring scheme was pioneered three years ago by Nesta Murray, headteacher at St Ann's Primary School in Tottenham, London. It is now operating in seven other schools in the area. Ms Murray said, 'It has been very successful and made a big difference to our school. You have to continuously update your behavioural management techniques, and we have tried many anger management techniques over the years, but they were all top down approaches.

The peer-mentoring scheme was pioneered three years ago by Nesta Murray, headteacher at St Ann's Primary School in Tottenham, London. It is now operating in seven other schools in the area. Ms Murray said, 'It has been very successful and made a big difference to our school. You have to continuously update your behavioural management techniques, and we have tried many anger management techniques over the years, but they were all top down approaches.

'But this is different because it is from the bottom up. We are empowering the children to take charge of their own emotions and help others.'

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