PEOPLE are being sought to join Worcestershire County Council’s Schools Appeal Panel.
The organisation makes decisions on pupils who have been refused places at Worcestershire schools or students who have been excluded from them.
The council is keen to ensure the panel is reflective of as many sections of the school community as possible – from governors, parents and ex-teachers to people with an interest in education but no direct experience in a school.
The closing date for applications is February 14.
Panel members are contacted in advance to confirm their availability to serve on a panel.
Admission appeal panels sit for periods ranging from a couple of hours to several days.
Although appeals are heard throughout the year, the peak period is April to September each year.
Appeals relating to permanent exclusion are fewer in number and are arranged as needed. All appeal hearings take place during the working day.
Admission appeal panels are made up of members with or without direct experience of education.
For permanent exclusions, membership is more restricted and comprises a lay member (who has not worked in any school in a paid capacity) who must act as the chairperson and a headteacher and governor, either currently serving or having done so in the last five years.
Panel members need to be able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people and assess information and identify the key points of a case.
They will also need to be comfortable with asking probing questions, as well as ensuring they are impartial and sensitive at all times, whilst respecting the need for appropriate confidentiality.
Full training will be provided. No fee or retainer is paid but travel and subsistence expenses are reimbursed.
Panels are completely independent of the admissions authority and any decisions they make are binding.
The panels are supported and advised by a clerk.
Anyone interested in serving on these panels should either contact the appeals team by calling 01905 843579, emailing [email protected] or by writing to: Legal and Governance, Worcestershire County Council, County Hall, Spetchley Road, Worcester WR5 2NP.
