Resolving conflict in a school can be hugely time-consuming and disruptive, not to mention costly if a resolution can't be or isn't achieved.

Remedying conflict can invoke a variety of management activities, some informal, others formal. One particular form of conflict resolution, mediation, is becoming increasingly popular, especially where the nature of the conflict is longstanding or where key working relationships are damaged. Mediation may not be right for every case of conflict and it does cost, but the costs of making things right are often outweighed by the costs of getting it wrong.

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