ABSTRACT
This dispute involves a head teacher and a learning assistant working in the same school. As such it is dealing with a clear power dynamic as the head teacher has the power to dismiss the other party. The school governing body and the trade union are also involved. The issue of race is also at play, as the head teacher is white and the assistant Muslim, and the school’s catchment area is very racially diverse. The reflections consider these aspects. Consideration is also given to the way in which the mediator is able to support a party suffering from panic attacks throughout the mediation process.
