Guidance for prospective members

Guidance for prospective members

Education Appeals Panels have been set up to hear and determine appeals for the admission to schools within the London Borough of Newham.

They are independent tribunals which must be independent of Local Education Authorities and of Governing Bodies.  Panels rely on a voluntary membership and their decisions are final and legally binding on all parties to appeals.

The Newham Independent Education Appeals Panel is an independent body established to consider appeals by parents against:

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  The decision not to admit a child to a particular school; or
  
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  The decision not to reinstate a child who has been permanently excluded from a school.
  

We are currently seeking applications from people who are interested in becoming Panel Members on Admission School Appeals.

Who Can Become a Panel Member?

Every few years, the Council advertises for new members to serve on Panels and all new members receive appropriate training before hearing appeals.  Members of the Panel come from a range of backgrounds and no special qualifications are required. Applications are invited from anybody who considers that they are eligible and are interested in the provision of Education.

Admissions Appeals Panels consist of 3 members and are appointed from the following categories:-

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  People who have experience of education; who are familiar with educational conditions in the Local Education Authority's area; or who are parents of registered pupils at a school.  At least one Panel Member must fall within this category.
  
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  People who are eligible to be lay members.  Each Panel must have at least one Lay Member, that is, generally speaking, a person who has not been professionally involved in running of a school or teaching in one.  This does not stop someone who is (or has been) a school governor, or otherwise involved in a voluntary capacity (e.g. on the PTA) from being a Lay Member. 
  

Can I Become a Panel Member?

Because it is important that the Education Appeals Panel is independent and unbiased some people are not eligible to become members of the Panel, for example employees of the Local Education Authority (London Borough of Newham).  If you are unsure as to whether you are eligible, please contact Kashaf Dar on 020 3373 1538, for advice.

From time to time, there may be instances when you cannot sit on a particular Appeals Panel. This is because a Panel Member should not have an interest in the outcome of the appeal.  For example, if you are a Governor at the School in question, or if your child attends the particular school you should not hear appeals for that school, or if you know the appellant or their family.  This is to ensure that the Panel can act and can been seen to act, fairly and impartially at all times.

As long as you make the Clerk to the Education Appeals Panel aware of any connection that you may have with a school within the Borough you will not be asked to sit on a Panel hearing appeals for that school.

Panel members will hear a good deal of confidential information about pupils and parents.  Therefore discretion and integrity are important qualities. Prospective Panel Members must therefore undertake a DBS check to ensure their suitability to sit on the panel. They must be able to approach each appeal with independence and impartiality, they must also be good listeners - and be seen to be listening by asking questions and interested in hearing both sides of the argument.  They should be able to separate relevant and irrelevant facts, and, under the Chair's guidance, come to a reasoned decision.

How Much of My Time Would I Have to Give?

The panel sits all year round with Appeals being held as and when required. Appeals generally take place during working hours and are usually held at Newham Dockside or at Newham Town Ham, in East Ham. Occasionally hearings take place at the school.

The Panel is made up of three members drawn from a pool. 

At present we hear about 1000 admission appeals a year, with majority of admission appeals being heard between May and July. Usually a full day is set aside to hear a number of appeals and each Appeal generally takes around 20 minutes.  Occasionally, appeals may be heard over a number of days, for example where there are a lot of appeals for a very popular school; however the Clerk to the Education Appeals Panel will always contact you in advance to check whether you are available.   

Is Training Provided?

Yes full training is arranged and all panel members must undertake training before sitting on a panel. Training has been arranged for 4^th December. You must therefore be available to attend this full day session.

Will I Be Paid?

The position of Panel Member is not a paid post, however all panel members receive a fee of £35 a day to cover travel expenses and subsistence. This is paid monthly through the Council’s payroll. Light refreshments are provided.

How Do I Apply?

If you are still interested in joining our pool of Panel Members, please complete and return the attached application form in full and return it to the address below:

Kashaf Dar

Complaints and Member Enquiries

4^th Floor West

Newham Dockside

1000 Dockside Road

London

E16 2QU
Tel: [phone]

[e-mail]