Mediation
The healthy social life is found
Only when in the mirror of each human soul
The whole community finds its reflection,
And in the community lives
The strength of each individual soul.
by Rudolf Steiner
The Mediation Group aims to facilitate parents or staff to reach a (mutually) satisfactory resolution of their issues (with each other or with the school) so that each individual can identify their own way forward towards a continuing working relationship.
What is mediation about?
Mediation in the school community is based on these principles:
Mediation may not be suitable if you want to enforce a legal right or want a decision on the rights and wrongs of an issue. In these cases, follow the procedure of the concerns and Complaints Policy.
If a problem arises, consider:
The route to the Mediation Group:
If you want help with resolving your issue, contact a member of the Mediation Group who will help you decide your next step and support you through the process.
What actually happens in a Mediation session?
Confidentiality: Your issue will be dealt with confidentially and a written record may be agreed (and signed) by those concerned. Any communications with other parties will be done in the strictest confidence and your agreement sought. However, in some very serious situations we may be legally obliged to inform the appropriate people.
Please contact the school office for a list of the current Mediation Group members, and their contact details.
Only when in the mirror of each human soul
The whole community finds its reflection,
And in the community lives
The strength of each individual soul.
by Rudolf Steiner
The Mediation Group aims to facilitate parents or staff to reach a (mutually) satisfactory resolution of their issues (with each other or with the school) so that each individual can identify their own way forward towards a continuing working relationship.
What is mediation about?
Mediation in the school community is based on these principles:
- That most kinds of concerns and disputes can be mediated,provided that those involved want to find a way forward.That most people in most situations do want to understand all points of view and agree resolutions.
- That failures of communication are often at the root of concerns & complaints about the school or those within it.
- That a problem or concern not taken seriously, an issue badly handled, a misunderstanding or offence taken, can be fanned into flames or fester as wounds if left unresolved.
- By striving to resolve inter-personal difficulties and failures of process, the school community will work together more effectively in our task of developing Steiner education for our children.
Mediation may not be suitable if you want to enforce a legal right or want a decision on the rights and wrongs of an issue. In these cases, follow the procedure of the concerns and Complaints Policy.
If a problem arises, consider:
- arranging to discuss the problem with the person(s) involved with another supportive person present.
- going to any of the school's Co-ordinators (Duncan McCanlis, Mark Eyers and Sarah Rowett), who can give you advice about how to proceed, as can your Class Contact.
The route to the Mediation Group:
If you want help with resolving your issue, contact a member of the Mediation Group who will help you decide your next step and support you through the process.
- by phone: members names and phone numbers are overleaf.
- by letter: addressed to the Mediation Group or an individual member. Un-named letters will be opened by Angela Martinot or Christina Edlund-Plater. We aim to respond within a week in term time.
What actually happens in a Mediation session?
- You will be met by one or two members of the Mediation Group who will listen to you attentively with respect and impartiality. They might ask questions of clarification, and might help you work out what to do next with your issue, but they will not persuade or pressurise you.
- The atmosphere is intended to be supportive and purposeful.You will be encouraged to speak without fear of judgement or of having your concerns dismissed.
- The mediators will first meet individually with each person involved. If appropriate, these initial meetings would be followed by a joint session to reach resolution. However, the Mediation Group members can communicate between parties if a face-to-face meeting is not possible.
Confidentiality: Your issue will be dealt with confidentially and a written record may be agreed (and signed) by those concerned. Any communications with other parties will be done in the strictest confidence and your agreement sought. However, in some very serious situations we may be legally obliged to inform the appropriate people.
Please contact the school office for a list of the current Mediation Group members, and their contact details.
