Education

Mediation & Dispute Resolution in Schools

Schools and Universities like most workplaces occasionally have minor disputes which can quickly grow out of all rpoportion to their origins

Mediation is an alternative form of dispute resolution providing a simpler, quicker and more flexible process to the alternative of litigation

It is also considerably cheaper as well as reducing the time that staff and school managers would have to spend in trying to find a solution or attending Court or tribunals. If all participants agree the mediation could be carried out in suitable rooms at your school or University

It is also less public and therefore better for the School's reputation

Richard Coupe has been a bursar of a large prestigious Independent School for over 11 years and as a qualified mediator has the professional experience and firm but fair approach to enable a solution to be reached that allows the participants to move forward.

I can provide assistance in the following areas:

Parent disputes with the School/University. Quite often parent/school disputes start quite small but quickly grow to a level of intransigence and the consequences can be extremely serious with the parents removing the child. This course of action can lead to loss of reputation and fees for an Independent School and of course it rarely helps the child's education and is often not what the parent really wants to do.

Parent debt. Mediation can often find a solution to serious debt problems by facillitating discussion between the School and the parents.

Contract disputes Schools have a wide range of contractsfrom internal cleaning and catering to larger building contracts. Disputes of this nature can often be extremely expensive, lengthy and acrimonious.

Staff & Individual Employment issues. Pay and contract issues between staff, TU Representatives and Headteachers/Governors can quickly lead to distrust and a breakdown of communications. I have extensive knowledge of conditions of service and pay negotiations and can help resolve these problems.

Redundancy Discussions with staff being made redundant are easier when an independent mediator is the facilitator as it helps to diffuse tension and resentment. I have considerable experience of agreeing compromise agreements working closely with school management, trades union representatives and the individual.