HomeSituationsCommunity & public lifeSchool and campus conflict
TN/SIT/34
Edition 2027 · effective 1 January 2027
Community & public life · School and campus conflict
Students, parents, teachers and leaders disagree, and learning suffers.
Peer mediation, restorative practice and independent Ombuds services are widely used in schools and universities to resolve conflict and teach the skills of neutrality.
§ 01What it looks like
Recognise it early. The earliest moment is the cheapest.
What you notice first
Small, and easy to explain away.
- Repeated disputes between students
- Parents escalating complaints
- Staff conflict
- Campus protests
What waiting can cost
Usually more than the original issue.
- Learning and safety
- Wellbeing of young people
- Institutional reputation
§ 02The Neutral route
Usually: Mediation.
Neutral processes resolve the issue and teach the skill at the same time.
Mediation
The parties decide. The mediator never imposes.
Also used · InformalOmbuds
The person decides what to do. The Ombuds helps them see the options.
Also used · ConsensualFacilitation
The group decides. The facilitator owns the process.
§ 03The steps
What a good process looks like.
- Train peer mediatorsBefore anything else01
- Set up an independent Ombuds for students and staffThe moment independence enters02
- Use facilitated dialogue for campus issuesWhere the work is done03
- Measure and reportSo it holds04
§ 04Prepare and avoid
What to bring. What to leave out.
(Bring)
01
Policies and procedures
02
Data on complaints
03
Safeguarding duties
04
Student voice
(Avoid)
✕
Mediation where safeguarding requires formal action
§ 05Your version
Every situation is different. Describe yours.
§ 06Related