It will mean that teachers will no longer have to intervene in trivial arguments and use up their time ensuring that students work out a solution.

The youngsters, who will launch the project after the Easter break, believe mediation is a life skill which they can use long after leaving school.

Dougie Brown, who is in fifth year, feels that young people will find it easier to resolve conflict by talking to their peers rather than adults.

And he hopes the scheme, which will see two pupils act as mediators between disputing factions, could also improve standards of discipline.

He said: "There are no big problems, but a lot of small conflicts between pupils that can be sorted out without teachers getting involved.

"The younger ones will appreciate it more because they can feel they are getting looked down on by adults. They are less frightened talking to fellow pupils.

"They also know that by talking to the mediators, they are working to resolve their problems rather than just being disciplined for arguing."

The training sessions were organised by the Keith Local Community Network in conjunction with Safer Communities and Reducing Offending (SACRO) Highland.

Funding was obtained from the Laidlaw Trust, set up by Keith-born business tycoon Lord Irvine Laidlaw. Keith Grammar is one of only six schools in the north to pilot the scheme.

A huge number of potential mediators expressed an interest in taking part, with the school's guidance teachers whittling down to the final 19.

The age group crosses all years of the school and it is hoped that they will be able to help train a new batch of peer mediators every year.

Fourth year pupil Claire Morrison said the training helped pupils understand more about conflict, and how mediation helps people agree to resolve it.

She said: "We have been learning how to listen to people, how to deal with arguments, not from our point of view, but from their side so they are responsible for resolving it.

"What has been interesting is learning how to manipulate as a mediator, so instead of putting words in their mouth they find an answer and a solution themselves."

Ivor Lee, support officer for the community network, said he was pleased at how well the pupils embraced the concept of mediation.

He added: "Having a peer mediation system operating at KGS will not only help pupils solve problems with other pupils, but also help them gain respect for other people's feelings and views."

l.carter@northern-scot.co.uk

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