By their nature, conflicts and crises usually arise with little or no warning.  Their causes are as varied as the schools in which they arise – it may be an external attack, an internal revolt, a perceived change in direction, a sudden injury or even a death, a media-generated controversy (including social media), criticism from a disgruntled former employee, an attempted power grab, a clash of strong personalities, a misunderstood reform, changing community expectations … the list goes on and on and on and on.

Whatever the cause of a crisis, the damage can be immense and long-lasting to student and staff wellbeing, to reputation, to community perceptions, to enrolment applications, to financial sustainability - indeed, to the school’s future.

When crises arise, it is essential to to call upon a wise, external, politically neutral, highly experienced school leader and board specialist - like OPTIMAL SCHOOL GOVERNANCE.