Volunteer for independent school panels

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.