MEDIATION #165
The story so far. A teacher with a throwaway comment has ignited a controversy about a pupil’s gender. The teacher, aware that he has been quite irresponsible, seeks his wife’s counsel + she advises him to brief the School before news of the incident slips out via other parents. The boy in question mentions the incident at home. The parents are angry at first (before they become supportive of their son) + rush off an intemperate email to the Head. A couple of the giggling schoolboys share What’s App messages with other pupils. Trouble is brewing.
The pupil is struggling at home. His father, a Tory, is planning to stand for Parliament at the next election in the local constituency + wants to handle the issue in a way that is considerate to the son and, at the same time, protective of his own political ambitions. The Head, modern and progressive, is keen to show she is in tune with social issues that surround any school but is aware that the Common Room contains some old-fashioned “Pull Yourself Together, Boy” types and, then, there is the recently appointed Chair of Governors, a former old boy of the School, who recalls the cane, the slipper and some rather odd teachers of yesterday.
Your name comes into the frame as a Mediator – a surprise to you as your expertise is shipping + commercial issues with no experience of educational disputes. But you have acquired attention because of your recent high profile successes in achieving settlements in quite contentious and sensitive disputes. You accept the appointment knowing that there will be a learning curve for you as you depart the world of commerce and enter the world of education – but does succeed in one area bar success in another area?
EPISODE 3 ON 26 AUGUST
THE MEDIATOR LOOKS AHEAD
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