Role: Independent School Admission Appeals Panel Member

Service Area: Democratic Services

Directorate: Governance

Salary: Volunteer (£30 per day expenses provided)

If you are eligible, you can apply to become an Independent School Admission Appeals Panel Member

How do the Panels work?

Education appeal panels are attended by 3 Independent Panel Members, a Clerk from the Council’s Democratic Services Team, a Presenting Officer from the Admissions Authority and the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the child who is appealing to get into a specified, local school.

The role of the Independent Appeals Panel Member is to listen to both sides of the case (i.e. the reasons why a school place has been refused, and the parents’ case as to why they need the place) and then to make a fair and balanced decision.

The Panel weighs up the evidence (in private) after the hearing, and then has the power to either grant or refuse a place at the school in accordance with the criteria laid out in the School Admission Appeals Code.

The panel is supported by an independent clerk who makes sure that relevant facts are established and that appeal hearings are conducted fairly, appropriately and in line with the provisions of the School Admission Appeals Code. The clerk is an independent source of advice on procedure and evidence. They make a record of the proceedings, decisions and reasons, before notifying all parties of the panel's decision.

About the role of an Independent Appeal Panel Member

The most important skill an Independent Appeal Panel Member can have is to be enthusiastic about the role. However, we are particularly looking for candidates that can demonstrate the following attributes:

A good communicator and active listener

Objective, impartial and unbiased

Good interpersonal skills

Decisive

Ability to work with others

Happy to learn and keep up-to-date with new regulations

Interested in education

Appreciation of each individual’s differing circumstances and backgrounds

Sound judgement

Willing to work remotely

Duties of an Independent Panel Member:

Attending local appeal panel meetings (usually remotely) by sitting on the appeal hearings for the benefit of children, families, schools and academies

Listening to both sides of arguments impartially

Reading appeals paperwork and making notes in advance of appeal hearings.

Making a decision with other panel members

Respecting the views and opinions of all parties, including fellow panel members

Ensuring parents feel that they have had a fair and independent hearing

Allowing admission authority representatives and parent(s)/guardian(s) every opportunity to put forward their case and feel that the points they have made have been taken seriously and carefully considered

Helping parents feel that their appeal has been handled competently, fairly, and within the law

Willingness to attend regular training in order to keep up to date with local/national appeal practices and processes

Are you able to sit on the Appeal Panel?

Unfortunately, you will be unable to sit on education appeal panels if you are a member of the local authority (for example, a councillor), or have had any connection with the local authority, or are currently employed by the local authority. Teachers and School Governors (albeit not for the school they are a governor at) are an exception to this and are able to be Independent Appeal Panel Members.

We are currently looking to recruit both Lay Members (without personal experience in the management of any school or provision of education in any school, except as a school governor or in another voluntary capacity) and Members with Education Experience (who are acquainted with educational conditions in the local authority area, or who are parents of registered pupils at school).

How do I Apply?

If you would be interested, please contact Natalie King, Member Services Manager for an initial, informal discussion.

[email protected]

0161 342 2316

Reference Number: DPT352