Walton Multi Academy Trust

Walton Academy Trust – Supporting the resolution of conflict in a school setting

Walton Academy Trust, Staffordshire, engaged with Capita Entrust to support mediation services in order to help resolve conflict that was occurring between two employees whose working relationship was under severe strain. 

Conflict in the workplace is inevitable, particularly in educational settings where demands and accountability stakes are high. 

For that reason, our team consists of people who are fully trained and accredited to professionally mediate with a view to creating robust working relationships and resolving workplace conflict, so that leaders can focus on school improvement. Our service can be delivered flexibly – face to face or virtually, in this instance the Trust decided to undertake a face-to-face mediation approach. 

Our People Partnering team worked with the Trust leadership and affected employees to overcome the situation affecting two staff members working relationship via engaging with our ACAS trained mediator. 

Our approach 

Our mediator started the process by holding a discussion with the school leadership, this was to understand in detail the reason for the conflict and what was occurring between the staff. This led to creating a mediation approach that met the needs of the leadership and affected staff. 

Our mediator followed this up with individual exploration meetings with those involved in the conflict, explaining the mediation approach, ensuring they were entering into it voluntarily and providing an opportunity for them to ask any questions. This was also a meeting for each staff member to share their experience of what had led to the conflicting situation and to build rapport with the mediator. 

Once satisfied that the parties were ready, the mediator brought them all together for a joint session. Each party was given the opportunity, in the presence of the other party and the mediator, to explain their perspective of the issues. These were then explored, feelings heard, and the mediator helped the parties to find mutually agreeable solutions. This way forward was then captured in a written agreement. 
 

The impact 

At Walton Multi Academy Trust, the mediation has shown positive results and allowed the affected parties to re-build working relationships. Positive results like this allows school leadership and teaching staff to focus on what matters most – teaching and learning and school improvement. 

“We were delighted with the mediation service offered by Capita Entrust, the mediator was well organised, very professional and efficient. What is more important is that the service had the desired effect in ensuring colleagues are now working together positively once again”
Michael Phillips – Chief Financial and Operations Officer of Walton Multi Academy Trust.