THE old saying a problem shared is a problem halved is the philosophy behind the mentoring scheme run at Shenfield High School.
Sixth formers are carefully matched with their Year 7 counterparts to help them through difficult times as they start their secondary school careers.
Helen Wilkinson, student well-being co-ordinator who runs the scheme, said: "We try to get to know our new students as quickly as possible. If they need help and advice we match them with the right mentor.
"For example, if they are into basketball or football we try and find a sporty sixth former so they have some common ground."
This approach worked well for Sophie Kemp, 17, who volunteered to be a mentor soon after joining the school in Year 12.
She said: "I was paired up with an 11-year-old boy who was quite nervous. The fact I was new to the school too meant we had something in common.
"The staff do really well matching people. I have found being a mentor helpful as you learn not to ask certain questions your mentees will not want to answer.
"You learn how to get them to talk about things that they may not want to talk about."
Fellow mentor Hannah Murphy, 17, was assigned to help a Year 7 boy with his academic work but found his problems ran deeper. She said: "I started helping him with his maths, English and science homework and we became friends. After a while he confided in me that he was being bullied and I was able to speak to members of staff to ensure that this was stopped as quickly as possible.
"He seemed so much happier in himself when it stopped. I felt a massive sense of achievement, and was so happy he had been able to tell me what was happening."
Sarah Gibson was called on to help a Year 7 boy whose mother had asked for support as she felt he was getting in with the wrong crowd.
Sarah, 17 said: "He was a lovely boy but was easily influenced. We looked at ways he could make friends that were more suitable. He was also struggling a little academically, so I sat in on some of his lessons and we found ways of making them easier for him.
"It was great to see his confidence increase. Hopefully, I helped him. I enjoyed getting to know him and feeling like I had made a difference. It was nice."
At Shenfield up to 40 sixth formers volunteer to train as mentors each year, and at least half of these go on to regularly help their younger peers.
Mrs Wilkinson said: "The mentors are good at finding out what is the underlying issue. Some of the Year 7s have come from a small primary school to a large secondary and it is daunting. The mentors serve as a familiar face, someone who will smile when they pass them in the corridor. It makes them feel so much better."
