Volunteer for independent school panels
Volunteer to be part of a panel for school admission appeals or exclusion reviews, get training and play an important role in the community.
Independent panels are made up of three volunteers, supported by a trained and experienced clerk. Hearings are held online or at Islington Town Hall.
What panel members do
Volunteer panel members:
- sit on independent admission appeals panels and exclusion review panel hearings
- make sure parents feel they have had a fair and independent hearing, with every opportunity to put their case forward
- make important decisions that impact children’s education - it is important that panel members take their responsibility to come to a reasoned decision.
How and why hearings take place
School admission appeals
If a parent is refused a place for their child at a school, they can appeal that decision. The law sets out how these appeals are heard and who can hear them.
Independent exclusion reviews
If a governing board of a school upholds the headteacher’s decision to permanently exclude a child from their school - meaning the child cannot return to that school - the parent or guardian can ask for a review of the decision.
Who can apply
Anyone can apply to be a volunteer panel member except:
- Islington councillors
- people who work for Islington Council.
Skills and experience
You should:
- have good interpersonal and communication skills
- be an excellent listener
- work well with others
- be honest and want to do the right thing (integrity)
- believe in fairness for everyone.
Training
All panel members get training before sitting on a panel. You will complete the training at least every two years to keep your skills and knowledge fresh.
How often you can sit on a panel
As a panel member you are part of a large group of volunteers. This means you can sit for appeals only when you are available.
Appeals are held:
- throughout the year
- on weekdays
- during term-time.
The busiest time for panels is between May and July when appeals are heard for children moving into reception or year 7 at a new school. The number of appeals in a week could be just one or there might be enough for two whole days of appeals.
You will get refreshments at hearings and a light lunch if the hearing goes over lunchtime.
How to volunteer
You will be volunteering your free time to a very important unpaid role in the borough that can make a big difference to people's lives. Thank you for considering giving your time to do this.
If you want to talk about the role with someone or just apply, contact SchoolAppeals@islington.gov.uk with 'volunteer panel member' in the subject.