Key Stage 3 & 4

Promoting diversity in schools and equipping children and young people with the knowledge and skills to develop positive inter-cultural relationships is not something that comes easily. It is a sad fact that many urban schools are predominantly mono-ethnic. The dangers here are obvious. How can we get children and young people to develop a positive appreciation of diversity when they rarely, if ever, encounter peers from different communities? How can we promote a sense of belonging amongst our ethnic minority children?

Even in our few multicultural secondary schools there are the struggles of encouraging positive interaction. Here we have potential but not the tools to encourage this interaction. How do we help create a playground or a canteen where we do not see the ethnic minority children and their white peers congregating exclusively in their own groups? Is having all these young people in the same building really enough? Shouldn’t we be doing more?

Diversity Challenges for Schools
Diversity is not always a positive experience. In many schools it creates an environment of hostility, tension and in some instances violence. These are the most challenging of environments for schools. Creating a climate of mutual respect and understanding in the face of such adversity can be daunting. In many instances, these are challenges that are just brushed under the carpet and left to fester. But doing nothing, whether through fear, embarrassment or just not knowing where to start, is not an option.

PeaceMaker’s school-wide intensive support programme is developed in partnership with governors, teachers, parents and most importantly young people. It creates an environment where prejudices are overcome and conflict resolved. It is not an easy process and our techniques have been honed over many years.

Sometimes we have worked in schools that desired to solve these issues discreetly, often we have been asked to help after violence has erupted in and otside of schools. We appreciate that no two schools are alike and this bespoke project is tailor made for each individual situation. There is no embarrassment in being pro-active: these challenges exist in schools across the country.

Peer Education
The Key Stage 3 and 4 projects support young people to become diversity champions. Peer Education is a tried and tested formula for success with teenagers. PeaceMaker not only supports young people to develop an appreciation of diversity for themselves but equips them with the skills, knowledge and abilities to promote this within their peer groups.

The journey that these young people travel during their time with PeaceMaker is remarkable. We have nothing but pride when we look back and see the faces of the hundreds of young people that have chosen to give up their time and help make a difference in their communities.