Conflict as an Opportunity: Embedding Mediation within Education

ASIC Standards for Growth – A Best Practice Series for International Education Leaders

Conflict as an Opportunity: Embedding Mediation within Education

This CPD-certified webinar will explore how conflict, although often regarded negatively, can provide valuable information about relationships, communication, organisational culture and areas requiring improvement.

We will consider how mediation can help educational institutions manage conflict involving students, staff, parents, leadership teams and external partners. Drawing upon workplace, civil and commercial, and education-based mediation practice, the session will examine how organisations can address concerns at an earlier stage, before relationships deteriorate or matters become unnecessarily entrenched in formal complaints and disciplinary procedures.

The presentation will also explore how mediation principles and practical conflict-management skills can be embedded within educational programmes, staff development and wider institutional systems. This will include consideration of:

• conflict as a potential opportunity for learning and improvement;
• the benefits and limitations of mediation within education;
• workplace conflict involving teaching, administrative and leadership teams;
• student, staff and parent disputes;
• civil and commercial disputes involving educational providers and their partners;
• safeguarding, power imbalances and institutional duties of care;
• when mediation is appropriate and when a formal process must take priority;
• developing clear institutional pathways for managing conflict; and
• incorporating mediation and conflict-resolution skills into educational programmes.

The session will be practical and interactive, including a short education-based case study and opportunities for participants to reflect upon how conflict is currently managed within their own institutions.

We will conclude by briefly introducing Veritas Mediation Academy and our interest in developing international partnerships. We are seeking suitable educational and professional organisations with which we can deliver or incorporate our specialist training in civil and commercial, workplace and family mediation. Our approach combines robust educational standards with practical skills development, observed practice, reflection and quality assurance.

Stuart Hanson
Founder and Lead Trainer
Veritas Mediation Academy

Stuart Hanson is an award-winning mediator, qualified teacher and founder of Veritas Mediation Academy. He has extensive experience in family, workplace, civil and commercial mediation and is also the founder of Direct Mediation Services, a national mediation provider operating throughout England and Wales.

A former family magistrate and former Chair of the College of Mediators, Stuart combines professional mediation practice with a strong background in education, assessment and organisational leadership. He received National Mediation Awards in 2018 and 2024 and has contributed to professional training, conferences and media discussions in the UK and internationally.

Through Veritas Mediation Academy, Stuart develops practical, skills-based mediation training designed to prepare learners for real professional practice. He is particularly interested in helping educational institutions embed constructive conflict management within their programmes and in developing international partnerships for the delivery of high-quality mediation training.