We are looking for enthusiastic and dedicated people to join us in Westmorland and Furness as Volunteer Panel Members, providing impartial decisions and sitting on Independent Review Panels for School Admission Appeals and Permanent Exclusions from a school.
Admission Appeals panels consider appeals by parents whose children have been refused admission to their preferred school. Members of the independent panels consider the cases put forward by the parents and the schools and decide whether the appeal should be upheld.
Exclusion independent review panels consider appeals by parents or carers, whose children have been permanently excluded from a school. The panel consider the decision of a governing body to uphold a permanent exclusion and decide whether to uphold their decision to permanently exclude a pupil, recommend that the governing body reconsider its decision or direct the governing body to reconsider its decision.
How do the Panels work?
Education appeal panels are attended by 3 Independent Panel Members, a Clerk, 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 the 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. They make a record of the proceedings, decisions, and reasons, before notifying all parties of the panel's decision.
Where?
Admission appeals are usually held via remote video conference (Microsoft Teams). On occasion you may be invited to sit on a panel for a face-to-face hearing. Any face-to-face hearings are held at a venue local to the school in issue.
When?
Appeals take place throughout the school year (term time only). However, the busiest time of year is the summer term (between Easter and the school summer holidays) as this is when admission appeals for children starting reception/junior school/secondary school in September are heard. As a panel member, you will need to have some availability during the working day, Monday to Friday and be willing to attend regular meetings throughout the year.
Commitment/Duration
Dates for appeals are set in advance, and you can provide dates of availability and indicate how often you are able to sit on a panel.
The appeal panels are arranged so that they are heard for half a day or a full day depending on the amount of appeals received.
On occasions, we may need some panel members to attend appeal hearings for multiple consecutive days.
What can we offer you?
This is a fantastic opportunity to play an active role in an essential decision-making process for our Education System. Sitting as a panel member is a great way to develop your interpersonal skills, decision making and leadership skills.
Full training is provided, given by the Westmorland and Furness Council Legal services team, and is updated/refreshed every 2 years.
Expenses/Allowence
This is a volunteer role, and all travel and parking expenses will be paid.
Please note: Westmorland and Furness Council Members and employees are unable to sit on these panels.
For more information or to express your interest in becoming a volunteer panel member, please send your cover letter and CV to the School Appeals Team at: recruitment@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk