Schools in Coalville have started to implement an innovative leadership programme to prevent bullying and violence.

The Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) Programme, which is funded by Leicestershire Police and Crime Commissioner Lord Willy Bach through the county's Violence Reduction Network (VRN), is being implemented in seven secondary schools in the county with a further wave of schools set to undertake training in the New Year.  

They include The Newbridge School, King Edward VII Science and Sports College and The Castle Rock School in Coalville.

The programme, which is based on a 'bystander approach', involves students in Years 10 and 11 becoming mentors and equipping them with the knowledge, confidence and skills to safely take action to prevent issues from escalating.

Supported by staff, mentors also facilitate sessions with younger students about issues that commonly concern young people and through discussion, promote the values and attitudes which prevent bullying and violence.

Mentors also act as a role models and play an active part in creating a safe school environment.

It follows the success of the MVP programme across Scotland, where the programme has been running for 10 years.

Schools which implemented the programme have reported greater awareness of violence-related issues, more confidence amongst students to speak out as well as less bullying and increased feelings of safety.

A new taster session is set to take place this month before schools wishing to implement the programme will participate in training in January 2021

Grace Strong, Director of the VRN, said: "MVP is an excellent example of a programme which seeks to prevent violence from occurring in the first place.

"It places young people centre-stage and gives them the tools they need to play an active role in promoting the values, attitudes and culture which we know prevents violence in all its forms. Not only does MVP hold huge potential within a school environment, the benefits will also be felt more widely as mentors and younger students take their learning into communities and eventually into adulthood

"I am delighted that we already have seven schools implementing MVP. The enthusiasm and commitment from these schools has been inspiring, particularly at this difficult time.  We are now ready to introduce MVP to more secondary schools and I would encourage any school which is interested to get in touch with the team."

Lord Willy Bach, Police and Crime Commissioner, added: "We know that the causes of violence are complex and to address these young people need to be empowered to play their part. The aim of the MVP programme is to break the continuum of violence, which may start with unkind words but can escalate quickly if left unaddressed.

"The school environment is an ideal place to encourage young people to understand the values, attitudes and behaviours which can lead to violence and address these within the context of friendships

"The skills and confidence these young mentors are building will stay with them throughout adult life.

Together, they are making a real difference to the safety of their schools and the wider community and helping to transform lives." 

To find out more information about MVP please email: [email protected] to book a place on a webinar.

An MVP Information Webinar will take place on 17th December from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. A briefing can also be found HERE