Areas of expertise
Education
Independent schools, academies, colleges, universities and governance disputes in the education sector.
Introduction
Education disputes may involve governors and senior leaders, an institution and a parent or student, a trust and one of its schools, or contracts with suppliers and partner organisations.
They are unusually sensitive. Reputation, safeguarding, regulatory scrutiny and the wellbeing of pupils or students all sit alongside the issue in dispute.
What we cover
- Independent schools
- Academies and multi-academy trusts
- Colleges and sixth forms
- Universities and higher education
- Governance and board disputes
Why mediation?
Formal complaint procedures and litigation are slow and adversarial, and they rarely repair the relationship between an institution and the family or colleague concerned.
Mediation is confidential and can be arranged quickly, often within the same term, and keeps the matter away from public and press attention.
How ProMediate can help
We mediate governance disputes at board and trust level, disputes between institutions and their staff, and disputes with parents, students and suppliers, with mediators who understand the sector's structures and duties.
We look for practical outcomes: agreed ways of working, revised delegations, clarified expectations, a fee or contractual resolution, or a managed transition — recorded clearly so everyone knows what happens next.
Why choose ProMediate?
An experienced panel
Barristers, solicitors and senior professionals who have mediated across the full range of commercial, civil and workplace disputes.
CMC Registered Provider
ProMediate is a Civil Mediation Council Registered Mediation Provider, working to recognised professional and complaints standards.
Nationwide coverage
We arrange mediations throughout England and Wales, at a venue convenient to the parties or at our own arranged rooms.
Online and face to face
Full online mediation on Teams or Zoom, hybrid sessions and traditional in-person days — whichever suits the dispute.
Flexible appointments
Evening, weekend and short-notice appointments are available, and most mediations can be arranged within two to three weeks.
Confidential throughout
The process is private and without prejudice. Nothing said in the mediation can be used later if the matter does not settle.
Commercial and pragmatic
We focus on outcomes that work in practice — payment terms, future arrangements and clean settlements — not on winning arguments.
Frequently asked questions
- Can mediation be used alongside a complaints procedure?
- Yes. It is frequently used at, or in place of, the final stage of a complaints process and can be agreed at any point.
- Can a mediation take place in school holidays?
- We regularly arrange sessions in holidays, evenings or online to fit around the academic calendar.
- Do you handle SEN and pupil-related disputes?
- Tell us the details and we will say honestly whether a member of our panel is the right fit, or point you to a more suitable provider.
Request a mediation
Request a mediation, ask for a quotation or speak to our team about this dispute. Tell us briefly what has happened and we will suggest suitable mediators, available dates and a fixed fee — usually within one working day.