Yet Year 7 pupils beginning their secondary education at a Ribble Valley high school know from the first moment they will be in safe hands.

Dozens of older students at St Augustine's RC High School, Billington, have signed up to be mentors and helpmates to new starters, helping them familiarise themselves with their new surroundings.

Earlier this year the Department for Education awarded St Augustine's "Approved Mentoring and Befriending Provider" status for its record of safe and effective mentoring. This standard is only awarded to schools which can show they comply with all aspects of good practice linked to peer mentoring.

In a letter to school co-ordinator Mrs Gunn, the Mentoring and Befriending Association wrote: "We like to use examples of good practice ... and ask your permission to copy extracts from your application portfolio for this purpose."

St Augustine's offers mentoring and befriending activities for pupils of all ages, from older students who support children in Year 7 to external mentors who work with Year 11s. Other examples include the Rainbows Club for bereaved children and learning buddies in maths and science and paired reading.