Peebles High School Case Study
Young people talking to young people
The key points to this case study are:
- peer education
- partnership working
- advocacy.
Peebles High School, in Scottish Borders, is involved in a number of pupil peer-support initiatives including the following.
- Paired Reading: a lunchtime meeting which offers junior pupils extra practice in reading.
- Buddy Scheme: all S1 pupils are allocated a buddy who meets weekly to support progress and act as a supporter through the early stages of S1.
- Anti-Bullying Council (ABC): a drop-in facility is available for pupils to discuss concerns about bullying. ABC members also assist in personal and social education (PSE) classes.
- Classroom Supporter Role: students assist the Learning Support Department with pupils who have additional support needs or those who benefit from extra support.
- Lunch Club: supporting junior pupils with homework and general study.
- Successmaker: computer-based program to develop literacy and numeracy skills for individuals.
There are two particular initiatives which involve pupils as peer advocates, educators and counsellors. The two projects are Up2U and the Young People’s Advocacy Project, which work closely together, operating out of the same office base, as well as working closely with school staff, the school nurse and other agencies.
Why it was developed
Up2U, based in Peebles, is a peer education project that serves the young people of Tweeddale and deals with issues relating to drugs, alcohol and sexual health.
The initial idea for the project began in 1998 when several young people approached the local community police officer because they wanted to be able to access information about drug and alcohol use and misuse.
After discussion it was decided to develop a peer education project and Peebles High School was approached to be involved in the project.
Young people at the school were recruited to become peer educators with 17 S3 pupils being selected to start the project. These young people were chosen because they were good communicators with different skills and experiences.
It was identified by the group that they wanted a wide range of personalities and skills and that the group should not be made up only of ‘high achievers’.
Information
The basic aim of the project is to provide confidential information on alcohol, drugs and sexual health issues to young people in Tweeddale. The principle behind the project is that all young people should have access to accurate information so that they are then able to make their own informed decisions.
The Young People’s Advocacy Project has been set up as a pilot project in conjunction with the Border Independent Advocacy Service (BIAS), which provides specialist information, support and advice for people with learning difficulties and mental health problems. Through its advocacy service, it can offer independent support for anyone who would like help in having their views represented.
Partners in this project include Peebles High School, the school nursing service, home-school link, voluntary sector organisations and parents and carers.
Staff and pupils in the high school have been involved in the launch of the project and information about it has been shared with pupils in all years. A survey of pupils was conducted to gain pupils’ perception of need and transition was most often identified as a time when support was felt to be lacking.
What we did
Up2U continues to recruit peer educators from Peebles High School, with potential recruits completing an application form. Those in S4 go into S3 classes/groups to explain the project and highlight specific aspects such as:
- responsibility
- planning
- teamwork.
In the year 2006/07, there were over 100 applications, with 26 young people being selected. Once the potential peer educators have been selected they attend a residential training weekend where they receive training including:
- how to use the materials
- how to facilitate groups
- confidentiality
- disclosure.
After attending the residential training courses, the peer educators work with the nine feeder primary schools in the Tweeddale area. They use a dedicated training package relating to drug awareness, developed by the group, and aimed at the P6/P7 age groups. This allows volunteers the opportunity to pass on their experiences of drugs and alcohol to primary school pupils about to enter secondary education.
The key elements of the input for the primary pupils are:
- researching a drug
- preparing a presentation
- presenting to the whole class.
This way of working contributes to the development of communication and core skills of the primary pupils.
In addition, Up2U now offers peer counselling, information and support within Peebles High School. Up2U peer counsellors are trained through a programme devised by representatives from outside agencies, including qualified Up2U adult volunteers.
Through Peebles High School’s Buddy System for S1 pupils, extra support is offered by Up2U peer counsellors, who are assigned to specially identified pupils who require additional support. This service is offered anonymously, thus avoiding the pupil feeling singled out or different in any way.
Up2U has also organised discos, band nights and other events throughout the area to provide much needed alternatives for young people.
The young volunteers in Up2U are participating in the Youth Achievement Awards Scheme as a way of demonstrating their level of effort and commitment.
Up2U has a number of young volunteers and adult volunteers and also employs a part-time project co-ordinator and sessional workers.
Advocacy project
The Young People’s Advocacy Project had a recruitment process and a group of 13 S6 volunteers made a commitment to receive training to be advocates for their peers.
The volunteers have received advocacy training provided at a residential weekend where input was given by a number of professionals and carers, and case studies of advocacy seekers were shared.
They have also been involved in a number of additional meetings with the project worker where they have jointly tackled issues around supporting their peers in an advocacy role.
The volunteers have visited all the S1 and S2 pupils, informing them of the project and also highlighting the European Convention on Human Rights as it impacts on their lives.
The advocacy project is very firmly focused on well-being. Through peer support it aims to give those seeking advocacy the confidence to open up to the advocates as they will feel that they understand them as they are close to them in age, particularly where issues concern their experiences as pupils and adolescents.
The advocates offer a positive role model for younger pupils and through their activities give positive messages about worth and self-esteem to those who are experiencing low self-esteem and confidence.
To date eight young people have requested that they receive advocacy support from the young people advocates. The project worker matches the advocacy seeker with an advocate and introduces them to each other.
What have we learned?
Up2U has been well received and praised by pupils, teachers and parents, as well as being positively supported by the Borders Drug and Alcohol Action Team.
The use of peer educators has proven to be a success and the fact that Up2U has continued to develop from its beginnings in 1998 is a testament to all the people who have been involved including young people, volunteers, school staff, agency staff and project staff.
Its success is down to ‘young people talking to young people’.
Up2U provides genuine volunteering opportunities to young people from around Tweeddale, allowing them to take an active part in the management and steering of the various sub-groups within the organisation.
Skills
In addition to providing up to date information and a contact point for young people, Up2U focuses on the personal development of the individual member by helping them to improve:
- confidence
- communication skills
- presentation skills
- listening skills.
Up2U members have used their experiences with the group to enhance their curriculum vitae as well as university, college or job applications.
Members often return to volunteer once they have left school.
The Young People’s Advocacy Project volunteers have benefited from their involvement, developing their interpersonal skills and capacities for offering support to others.
Involving pupils actively in the organisation and management of the project has been very important in making it a success.
While the project worker is independent of the school they work closely with the school staff and others to ensure that all agencies involved in the project work together and have a clear understanding of each other’s roles. This is an important aspect of partnership working.
Where are we now?
Up2U has developed over the years and became a registered charity in 2001. However, one of the ongoing issues for Up2U, as with many other charities, is the issue of funding. A key role for the project worker is to continually seek sources of funding in order to continue with the work of Up2U.
Up2U also intends to develop a parent counselling service, including classes for parents and providing a referral point for statutory agencies in the area.
The Young People’s Advocacy Project is a pilot project and is running for 15 months from May 2006 to July 2007. At this stage it is uncertain if the project will continue beyond the end of the pilot stage.
Contact details
Eleanor Simpson
Principal Teacher Pupil Support
Peebles High School
Springfield Road
Peebles
EH45 9HB
Tel: 01721 720291
Web: www.peebleshighschool.co.uk
Morag McDonald
Young People’s Advocacy Worker
Email: Morag McDonald
morag.bias@virgin.net
Pam Graham
Up2U Peer Education Group
Tel: 01721 721100
Email: Pam Graham
up2u_group@tiscali.co.uk
Both at:
Unit 6, School Brae
Peebles
EH45 8AT
| School | Roll |
|---|---|
| Peebles High School | 1228 |
| Broughton Primary School | 89 |
| Eddleston Primary School | 65 |
| Halyrude Primary School | 100 |
| Kingsland Primary School | 317 |
| Newlands Primary School | 84 |
| Priorsford Primary School | 370 |
| St Ronan's Primary School | 201 |
| Walkerburn Primary School | 42 |
| West Linton Primary School | 263 |
