THEY'VE managed to pacify warring neighbours...now they're being asked to sort out disputes in York schools.

Experts from City of York Council's award-winning mediation service Face to Face have been used successfully to end disputes and anti-social behaviour involving City of York Council tenants.

Council managers hope they can be just as effective in resolving arguments between parents and teachers.

Murray Rose, the council's acting assistant director of education and leisure, said: "While most complaints can be solved fairly quickly and smoothly by head teachers and governors, there are occasional problems which flare up and which can get in the way of schools getting on with teaching and children getting on with learning.

"The council's Face to Face service will now be available to schools and parents to help them to find ways of sorting out disputes and agreeing the best way forward."

The service would aim to tackle complaints including those arising from misunderstandings, from allegations of unfair treatment, of missing possessions and disputes with other families.

Mr Rose said: "Children learn best when they feel safe and secure in their school.

"If their parents are not happy with something that has happened to them in school, it may cause them stress and worry.

"The advantage of Face to Face is that they are skilled mediators who will find ways to keep good relationships between parents and schools. This should help to give confidence to children to carry on learning." City of York Council stressed that the service is in addition to traditional avenues for raising complaints.

Pat Lloyd, Face to Face manager, said: "Our experience shows that mediation is a way of getting to the root of the problem.

"People are more likely to keep to a solution if they have been involved in setting this up. We will work with parents and schools to promote understanding and positive behaviour and feel confident that we can make a difference."

Updated: 12:23 Saturday, July 07, 2001