Independent Appeals Panels decide parents' appeals on admissions and exclusions. Each panel includes someone with experience of education and a lay member, someone without personal experience of providing education. The Panel is administered by Kirklees Council but is independent.

Kirklees Council wants to recruit lay members form all sections of the community. Experience as a school governor or volunteer is welcome but not necessary.

You will need good listening and decision making skill. Full training is provided and an allowance paid.

For more information, view the advert for lay members school appeals

Please apply in writing, explaining your interest in this area and the contribution you can make, by 30 April 2009, to:

John Chapman
Kirklees Legal Services
PO Box 1274
Huddersfield
HD1 2WZ

For an informal discussion please telephone John Chapman on: 01484 416267.

A School Appeals Panel is a decision-making body made up of volunteers independent of the Local Education Authority.

Parents whose chid is refused admission at their preferred school, because the school is over-subscribed, have the right to make an appeal to the Independent Appeals Panel. The Panel’s decision is binding on the parent, the school and the education authority.

Each panel consists of three people. At least one of them must have experience of education locally, such as a retired teacher or a parent of a child of school-age, and at least one must be a “lay” member, someone who has not taught in or managed a school. This can include people with experience as a governor or volunteer in a school.

The Panel hears evidence from the Authority and the school as to why admitting any more children would cause problems for the school to function effectively, and from the parents as to their reasons for wanting their child to attend the particular school.

Panel members need to be able to:

• Ask relevant questions in a sensitive way;
• Be good listeners
• Sift through evidence and come to a reasoned decision

Prospective panel members will receive training and a modest attendance allowance. The bulk of appeals take place between March and July each year after school places are allocated, but there are occasional appeals throughout the rest of the year regarding children wanting to transfer schools. There is no minimum time commitment for panel members.

The Independent Appeal Panel also hears appeals from parents against their child being permanently excluded from a school. In Kirklees there are only a few of these each year, and they are heard by experienced panel members.