GCSE students making the leap from school to college this autumn will no doubt remember how anxious they felt switching from primary to secondary before that.

Both can be tough transitions but, thanks to one set of school leavers, new pupils at Kingstone High School won’t have to look as far for a friendly face as they once did.

Year 11 students who have fostered a growing trend for supporting younger pupils are about to leave a very special legacy behind them as they turn to sixth form studies in Hereford this September.

Kate Hanks, Harriet Duggan and Georgia Pitt are among several ELOs –Emotional Literacy Officers – who have worked hard to bring pupil mentoring to the fore during their time at the school.

“There are a few people in our group who had problems themselves and they didn’t have anyone to talk to,” Georgia explains.

“You hope younger ones might look up to Year 11s, so we wanted them to know we are not scary.”

All children, but especially those with learning or behavioural issues, are encouraged under pastoral care guidelines to talk about their feelings.

At Kingstone, this manifested itself in the role of ELO, which developed with help from inclusion manager Trish Dugdale over a few years.

Nowadays, anyone who finds problems at home are causing more at school can look out for someone with a yellow star badge or go along to La Coeur – a designated space at the heart of the school which offers soothing music, comfy chairs and, above all, a completely confidential chat.

“There were so many children with problems – bereavement issues, divorce or social issues – that now we take all categories of children,” Trish said.

“There is a very flexible approach but the main thing is children can talk, children can come in upset – we never say no.”

In return, those who give up two lunchtimes and a weekly free period to help can now expect a recognised qualification from exam board OCR, something for their CV and an enormous sense of wellbeing for their efforts.

“It’s weird when we sit down talking to someone, you feel good about yourself,” says Kate.

“I found it hard to sit down oneon- one because I put on a front before.”

When the Hereford Times visited, a group of Year 8 pupils are persuading a school refuser to return to class, while Year 11s take a lesson about confidence issues that they prepared themselves.

Meanwhile, all meetings are documented, each ELO keeps a personal journal and upcoming Year 10s are being trained to take over.

And with grant applications in place for a possible cafe, canteen and yet more dedicated space, those who created the scheme hope it will still be helping younger students and their mentors in years to come.

“When we see someone upset or naughty or something, you never really think ‘I wonder what’s really wrong with them?’ but you see it from a different angle here,” says Georgia.

“It’s a great lesson both for us and for them,” agrees Kate.