School Mental Health Qualification Framework

> Peer Mentoring – Secondary School

Empower Your Students to Lead on Mental Health

Train 13–18 year-olds to become confident peer mentors who support wellbeing, reduce staff burden, and strengthen your school’s culture.

Who is this for?

Secondary schools seeking to strengthen their wellbeing provision
Students aged 13–18 who want to take a leadership role in supporting peers
Staff looking for a structured, impactful programme with minimal additional workload
No prior peer mentoring programme is required — we provide everything you need to get started.

Overview

Students gain an accredited Level 2 Award in Peer Mentoring for Mental Health
Flexible programme that fits into a half-term schedule
Practical skills in empathy, listening, and resilience
Reduces pressure on staff by encouraging early peer-to-peer support

Programme summary

Delivery partner

Length

6 weeks

Dates

On going

The Secondary Peer Mentoring Programme is designed for students aged 13–18, supported by a member of school staff. Participants develop skills in:

Active listening and empathetic communication
Understanding mental health and wellbeing
Problem-solving and supporting peers appropriately
Knowing when and how to escalate concerns

Why Peer Mentoring Matters

Today’s secondary schools face growing pressures around student wellbeing. One in five young people experiences mental health challenges, and many turn first to their peers for support.

Peer mentoring is a proven way to harness this natural influence. By equipping pupils with the right tools, schools can create a positive culture where students support each other — reducing reliance on pastoral teams and giving staff more capacity to focus where it’s needed most.

Accreditation: Students can achieve the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) Level 2 Award in Peer Mentoring for Mental Health.

The peer mentoring course has been a brilliant way to explore situations and reflect on wellbeing in all forms in a comfortable open space, which I have really enjoyed. It has heightened my own self awareness and overall sensitivity whilst also being a great forum for developing self leadership skills”

Year 12 student

Delivery and Impact

Delivery

Flexible format to fit your school timetable.

Resources and guidance provided by Minds Ahead.

Typically completed in one half-term

Impact & Benefits

By completing this programme, your school can expect:

For students: Improved confidence, resilience, empathy, and leadership skills; nationally recognised qualification.
For staff: Reduced pressure on pastoral and safeguarding teams, with earlier identification of issues.
For the whole school: Stronger culture of care, inclusion, and mutual support.

Fees and funding

The new annual pricing is as follows:

0 to 5 students: £150
Each additional student up to 20 students: £30 per student
More than 20 students: Flat fee of £600

Optional submission of your students’ workbooks for the award: £80 per pupil

Testimonials

Year 12

Student

“We have been able to discuss the variation of mental health and redefine the factors that impact it as well as contributing our own ideas in a collaborative way. These sessions have given me the opportunity to refine my communications skills and have introduced us to coping strategies and helpful devices for supporting others and ourselves. All of which I have consequently been more mindful of in my own experiences as well being able to suggest to others.”

Dom Jones

Teacher, Dame Alice Owen’s School

“We have LOVED doing this course. The materials, tasks and reflection is having a huge impact not only on the students who are doing the course, but also on the younger members of our school community who they are mentoring. Our students have learnt and gained so much (so have I) it is such an incredible way to better understand mental health, ourselves and how we can start to support others. They have developed mentoring / coaching skills but also strategies to support and develop their own resilience, mental health and self leadership skills. One student was telling me they are using some of the positive thinking strategies as they get nearer to their Y12 mocks. I am sure there are many others who are applying what they have learnt in practical ways in their own lives too. I think everyone should do this course!”

FAQs

Who is this programme for?

Secondary pupils (13-18 year old) in either a school or college setting.

Who delivers this programme?

This programme is for schools with an adult lead for peer mentoring who are seeking to provide training and a qualification to their pupils, aged 13-18. You will be provided with a teaching resource pack, guidance and student workbook as well as support from a Minds Ahead professional development specialist to answer any questions that the teacher may have.

When is the next start date?

This program can be run by you at anytime through your academic year.

How long does the course last?

Designed to fit within a half-term, this programme comprises 6 lessons, each lasting 50-60mins.

What resources are provided?

You will be provided with a teaching resource pack, guidance and student workbook as well as support from a Minds Ahead professional development specialist to answer any questions that the teacher may have.

What is the level 2 Award in Mental Health Peer Mentoring?

Accredited the Royal Society for Public Health, this mental health and wellbeing qualification offers an understanding of attitudes and beliefs about mental health and wellbeing. It will enable learners to explore theoretical models used to describe mental health and wellbeing and the strategies that may be used to promote wellbeing of the people in their community. It will be be a Level 2 qualification that students can put on their CV to help with future progression in the chosen career.

How much staff time is required?

A nominated staff member supports the group, but resources are designed to minimise additional workload.

What if our students have special educational needs?

The programme is flexible and can be adapted to meet a variety of learning needs.

Do we need to have an existing peer mentoring scheme?

No – this programme can be used to start from scratch or enhance what you already have.

Download Brochure

Apply Now

"*" indicates required fields

Please fill in your details in this form below to register for the Secondary Peer Mentoring Course. By completing registration, you will officially enrol onto the programme and be liable to pay your course fee in full.

School Name*

First Name*

(school staff)

Last Name*

(school staff)

Email*

(email address)

Your Role*

(teacher, school staff)

Would you like to sign up to the School Mental Health Digest?

Payment options

When filling in and completing each of the 3 payment sections:

First 5 students*

Whether you are enrolling 1 - 5 students or more, there is a flat fee of £150.

Additional Students

Including the first five students, please select how many students in total you would like enrol on this peer mentoring course.

Course with assessment Quantity

Please add the number of students (at £80 each) you wish to receive the RSPH Level 2 ASSESSMENT. Please note: If you select this option, we WILL ask you for a list of student’s names when they complete the course so certificates can be issued.

Price: £ 80.00

Total

Payment method:*

Invoice

Card

Bank transfer

After clicking "Submit" below, you will be redirected to Stripe to take payment.

To pay for your course via bank transfer, please send £15.00 per student using the details below. These will also be shared in your confirmation email after submitting this form.

Your course will not be confirmed until payment has been received.

Account name: Minds Ahead CIC

Bank name: Co-operative

Sort code: 08-92-99

Account number: 65 83 51 39

Please use the school name as the reference.

Please provide the invoice details below:

First name*

(Invoice details)

Last name*

(Invoice details)

School name (if applicable)

Contact number

Email address*

Postal address*

Our Peer Mentoring Programmes

Primary KS2
Peer Mentoring

Who’s it for?

8-11 year old pupils who are keen to support their own mental health, as well as their peers’ mental health and wellbeing.

What will they learn?

Pupils will gain the skills to support and guide their peers as a Mental Health Peer Mentor

Length

A series of 6 online lessons, with each pupil receiving a Children’s University stamp upon completion

Secondary KS3/4
Peer Mentoring

Who’s it for?

14-18 year old pupils who are keen to support their own mental health, as well as their peers’ mental health and wellbeing.

What will they learn?

Pupils will gain the skills and confidence to support other pupils’ mental health in your setting. Leading to a Level 2 Award from the Royal society for Public Health.

Length

A series of 7 in-person lessons, with a workbook which pupils submit for assessment.

Staff/Colleague
Peer Mentoring

Who’s it for?

Those working in an education setting who wish to support their peers.

What will they learn?

This innovative programme is designed to train your staff in providing essential support to their colleagues, fostering a culture of care and collaboration.

Length

Your can complete this course at your own pace.

Still unsure of the best qualification for you?

Minds Ahead’s pioneering approach to school mental health is about much more than providing reactive support. It is about schools embracing a vital public health role to support pupils to thrive and to prevent mental health issues from arising in the first place.

We believe a new mental health paradigm is required in education. Schools and colleges need to take a whole school approach that is holistic, strategic, preventive, proactive and reflective.

Empower Your Students to Lead on Mental Health

Overview

Programme summary

Why Peer Mentoring Matters