Parents of pupils at Holy Cross Primary School at the centre of loyalist protests in North Belfast had talks today with Northern Ireland Secretary Mr John Reid.
After being given a police escort to the school gates, they left immediately for a meeting at Hillsborough Castle, Co Down.
Loyalist residents stood in silence as the children were taken to their classrooms, but they jeered, shouted abuse, waved flags and banners and whistled as the parents returned.
The protest is now in its third week.
Dr Reid met the residents last week and at today's meeting heard the concerns of the parents. Sinn Féin's Mr Gerry Kelly said the parents were ready and willing to enter talks.
"The residents are looking at some sort of mechanism to get these talks as a matter of urgency. Everyone knows this cannot go on," he said.
The Progressive Unionist Party's Mr Billy Hutchinson, also a member at the Northern Ireland Assembly, said he believed there would be talks by the weekend.
He said: "All politicians are calling for talks to happen. I think it can't be ended until the two communities come together. If this ends without a solution there will be no security for the people in this area".