The Peer Support programme at Lancing College has been an integral part of the school’s pastoral care for 22 years. This initiative empowers Sixth Form pupils to play an active role in supporting their peers, providing a valuable additional point of contact for those facing worries or concerns.
Peer Supporters are carefully selected through an application and interview process. Successful applicants undergo comprehensive training, equipping them to offer assistance with a wide range of issues. Whether it’s providing a listening ear for smaller concerns or knowing when to guide someone toward additional pastoral support within the school, these students are an essential part of the College's support network.
Being a peer supporter has been an incredibly fulfilling role thus far, and it has been a great way to make a positive impact on the school community around me. This term, I teamed together with two other peer supporters to create and edit a film encouraging students to ‘choose respect’, and not only do I believe we got the main message across, but I think that we also fostered a greater sense of community spirit in the process, still highlighting the joy that being part of a community as warming as Lancing entails. I absolutely love helping those around me and being given the authority to do so on a wider scale has been an absolute privilege, and something I will always remember.
Izzy B, Lower Sixth
Each year, pupils in the Lower Sixth participate in a rigorous half term training programme. Through workshops, role-play, discussions, and briefings, they gain skills in areas such as active listening, maintaining confidentiality, safeguarding, and supporting mental health. They also learn how to manage sensitive situations like bereavement and change, while being equipped with strategies to look after their own wellbeing. This training is led by the school counsellors, Jacqui Painter and Christina Morris and the Peer Support programme is overseen by Gary Bird, the College’s Safeguarding Lead.
One of Lancing’s unique strengths is the willingness of its senior pupils to step into this important role. Several years ago, the programme accommodated a maximum of up to 18 Peer Supporters. This year, the College was delighted to expand the team, welcoming 25 pupils who have successfully completed their training and now join the 25 Upper Sixth Peer Supporters in offering compassionate care to their peers. This term the peer supporters have been involved in Anti-bullying week, promoting the message of "Choose Respect" in the headmasters assembly, speaking with the Third Form and Fourth Form about issues around bullying and teaching a PSHE lesson on the impact of social isolation and exclusion.
I initially applied for the role of a Peer Supporter, as the memories of how it feels to feel homesick in a foreign country, or the challenges of overcoming language barrier, were still fresh in my mind – I hoped that I could be helpful in terms of normalising these feelings for someone, and maybe making this time at least a little bit easier for them.
The role turned out to me much more multilateral than I thought: with people approaching me in regard to different concerns, I am always happy to help to the best of my ability! I consider this a privilege in itself: Peer Supporting has enabled me to meet new people, develop my active listening skills, and, most importantly, try and help someone through their tough times.
Sofiia S, Upper Sixth
While many schools now run similar schemes, Lancing was among the pioneers in this approach. Over the past two decades, the programme has become a cornerstone of the school’s pastoral care, striving to ensure that no concern - large or small - goes unheard. We are proud to welcome the 22nd generation of Peer Supporters and celebrate their commitment to fostering a supportive and caring community at Lancing.