Education

Disputes in the education sector can be complex and time-consuming. They can involve any combination of the school or college itself, staff, parents, pupils, suppliers and in some cases local authorities and other public agencies. The issues can be wide ranging and highly emotive, including bullying, negligence, the discipline or exclusion of pupils, standard of teaching and learning outcomes. Whoever the parties, the impact of any dispute in this sector can be felt widely. The economic and time cost of protracted disputes takes up resources which would be better spent on educating. The dispute can be damaging to pupils, staff and the reputation of the institution itself.

How mediation can help:
Mediation can provide a quick, flexible and cost-effective way to resolve disputes. It can reduce the amount of time staff spend dealing with disputes, and avoid the risks, costs and uncertainties of litigation. It might also avoid an escalation of the dispute to the point that the pupil (and any siblings) are removed from the school. A mediation can be facilitated on short notice, and the format can be tailored to suit the circumstances of the case. It can take as little as a few hours, or be conducted over a series of meetings. Swift action might also avoid staff conflicts and resignations, and gossip amongst parents, which might otherwise inflame a situation.

As well as mediators, both Lou and Clare are also parents, and have served on various committees and parent bodies at their children’s schools and local sports clubs. Clare is also a governor of an independent school catering for children from 2 – 18 years old. Their combined experiences mean that they understand the educational environment, the regulatory and legislative framework within which schools operate, and also parental and pupil concerns.

@CogentMediation