We often get queries about matters surrounding parents in conflict with one another about the education of their child. Head teachers often feel like ‘piggy-in-the-middle’, trying to appease both parties and do the right thing for the child. Managing this can be a source of great stress for head teachers. Drawing on guidance from the government, we look at how a range of parents would gain parental rights with regard to their child and, when conflict occurs, whose voice counts most. We look at a series of common scenarios and offer advice as to how to proceed in each case.