Parents and carers have the legal right to appeal against our decision to refuse their child a place at their preferred school. These appeals are heard by an independent panel of 3 individuals.
All community schools within Cardiff are served by the Independent School Appeals Panel.
We are currently recruiting new members to join the panel.
What do appeal panels do?
Education admission appeals panels hear evidence and make decisions about appeals from parents or guardians who wish to challenge a decision not to admit a child to their preferred school. The panel will consider:
- the relevant school admissions policies and if they have been lawfully applied, and
- the parents' case as to why their child needs to attend a preferred school.
Exclusion independent review panels consider appeals by parents or carers, whose children have been permanently excluded from a school. The panel will:
- consider the decision of a governing body to uphold a permanent exclusion, and
- decide whether to agree their decision or not.
Panel members
The panels are made up of education experts and non-experts. There are 3 panel members needed for each appeal hearing.
For education admission appeals, the panel is made up of:
- 1 education member, and
- 2 non-experts.
For permanent exclusion appeals the panel are made up of:
- 1 education practitioner, and
- 1 school governor and
- 1 non-expert.
Each panel will have a legal clerk to advise on all legal matters and there will be a note taker to record proceedings.
The role and the skills you will need
As a panel member, you will:
- Read paperwork and written representation submitted for each appeal.
- Understand policies and relevant legislation (training provided).
- Have good communication and listening skills.
- Work with integrity and fairness.
- Be able to exercise sound judgment and make a well-reasoned decision.
- Have awareness of equality issues.
- Be reliable on days of an appeal hearing.
- Need the ability to work with other appeal panel members.
You will get full training.
Panel members provide an important voluntary service. They can claim expenses, such as travel, when attending appeals and training.
Face-to-face appeals usually take place in the centre of Cardiff. Refreshments will be available. Some appeals are heard remotely.
Appeals are heard throughout the year. Most appeals are heard between April and July. They take place during the day, usually between 10am to 4pm.
If you would like to be find out more about becoming a panel member, please email us. We will send you an application form.
Email: [email protected]
