Home

The official findings of an independent report on the National Peer Mentoring Pilot have been released by the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation (MBF).

MBF was contracted by the Department for Children, Schools and Families to establish a high-quality, formal and sustainable peer mentoring scheme in 180 schools across England. The pilot ran from September 2006 – March 2008.

Over the course of the pilot, more than 14,500 young people have been actively involved, working together in schools to tackle issues such as attainment, transition, bullying, behaviour and attendance.

The research shows that peer mentors are providing a unique and vital level of support helping their mentees improve not just their grades but also their behaviour.

· 97% of all participating schools reported improved pupil ability to cope with school life with 96% recording improved pupil confidence

“Surprisingly and significantly, we have witnessed that it is not always the high-achieving, most academic students that have proved to be the best peer mentors; more often it is those students with some life experience of their own who are most capable of listening, understanding and having true empathy with what the younger ones are going through”.
Deborah Wynn, Regional Peer Mentoring Co-ordinator, Manchester & Cheshire

“Being a peer mentor has given me invaluable experience… I can now put this on my UCAS application for University…  I have gained greater patience and communication skills...”
Yr 12 Mentor, Hemsworth Arts and Community College

Download the full evaluation report (PDF, 387Kb)

National Peer Mentoring Pilot website

MBF peer mentoring training and resources