Youngsters at the island’s two public secondary schools will be taught how to prepare for college – by specially trained senior pupils.

The Mirrors Programme has introduced PeerForward – a course designed to improve college preparedness for children at the Berkeley Institute and CedarBridge Academy.

A spokeswoman for the ministry of education said: “PeerForward has proven that harnessing influence in schools can be an effective solution to the educational equity gap.

“The PeerForward method guides more students to college by tapping a resource found in every single high school – influential students.“

The programme was based on research on the key elements essential for success in post-school education.

The PeerForward programme will launch at the Berkeley Institute tomorrow with a three-day peer leader workshop and adviser training for 36 pupils.

Six advisers, four writing coaches and four college coaches will be trained to work with students over the year.

The trained pupils will lead school-wide campaigns, college enrolment and school-specific campaigns to increase college attendance.

The ministry spokeswoman said: “Training consists of personal development, campaign building, personal statement crafting, leadership practice, data collection, collaborative and growth mindset, and postsecondary planning skills.

“The teams will activate campaigns and services in their high schools to grow a college-going culture at both school campuses.”

Kimberley Jackson, the Mirrors programme manager, said: “We are excited about this new programming as it seeks to provide all students with a clear postsecondary plan that is designed to start at S1 through S4.

“The peer-led activities are combined with a digital curriculum designed to extend best practices of creating a college-going culture to students in an easy to use flexible format.”

John Perinchief, the board chairman of Mirrors, added: “We are thankful to the Mirrors alumni and corporate donors for sponsoring the programme for our public schools.

“This programme will definitely be a spark to ignite change in college planning for all students.

“We cannot wait to see the students activate campaigns in their schools.”

For more information and to volunteer for Mirrors programmes, phone 294 9291 or e-mail mirrors@gov.bm.