Voluntary Panel Members - School Appeals Service

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Job description

Volunteers Needed for the Richmond and Wandsworth Independent School Appeals Panels

Get Involved, Make a Difference!

Are you 18 or over and looking for a meaningful way to engage with your community?

The Richmond and Wandsworth Independent School Appeals Services are seeking volunteers to join our School Admissions Appeals Panels.

What is a School Admissions Appeal?
When a child is denied a place at a primary or secondary school, parents and carers have the right to appeal the decision.Our panels hear these appeals, ensuring that each individual case is treated fairly and in accordance with the rules, and that families and schools are given the opportunity to be heard. Appeals predominantly take place virtually and are held during term time with a peak during the summer.As a volunteer panel member, you'll play a critical role in ensuring fairness and transparency in the admissions process and fair provision of education.

Appeal hearings take place usually virtually via Microsoft Teams, except in the event a parent / carer requests to have their appeal conducted in person.You will need to have access to your own adequate information technology to participate in Appeals Hearings and have suitable home or office conditions to attend confidential hearings via Microsoft Teams.

Whether the appeals take place virtually or in person, the Appeals Services provide a £40 per day expenses payment to all Panel Members.As a Panel Memberyou will need to respect the confidentiality of proceedings, act impartially, and carefully read the papers issued to you in advance of the hearing. At the hearingyou will need to listen to the arguments made by each side and ask relevant questions.You will need to come to a reasoned decision based on the law, ensuring schools abide by admissions law and that decisions are made fairly, without discrimination.

Commitment of working hours:This is a flexible volunteering opportunity.You will be expected to attend an annual training day and will be appointed to panels based on your availability.

How long roughly is each panel: Our hearings usually take place in the day during term time. Each individual hearing typically takes up to one hour.The hearings for each school usually take place over one or two days, again, depending on how many appeals are being heard.

Your Role as a Panel Member
As a volunteer panel member, you'll play a critical role in ensuring fairness and transparency in the admissions process and fair provision of education.

Councillor Stock, Cabinet Member for Children in Wandsworth, shares: "Please consider volunteering for this valued role supporting admissions appeals to our schools in Wandsworth.Schools are at the heart of our local communities and we are keen to encourage volunteers with a wide range of experiences to join the team."

Councillor Frost, Chair of Education and Children's Services Committee in Richmond, shares:

"This is such an important role and we hope that you will consider volunteering to join the Appeals team and help families feel they have been listened to and given a fair opportunity to put the case for their children."

How to Apply
To be considered for the 2025 panels, please contact us by 31 January 2025.

The first round of recruitment will close on the 29 December 2024.

If you apply after the 31 January, you will be considered for the Summer 2026 panels.

The Richmond and Wandsworth Independent School Appeals Services provide £40 per day expenses to Panel Members.

For more information or to express your interest, please contact us at:
Marianna Ritchie, Democratic Services Manager:
Rachel Williamson, Democratic Services Manager:

Please note, Richmond and Wandsworth Council Officers and Councillors are exempt from applying.

Don't miss this chance to make a real difference in your community and support Richmond's and Wandsworth's schools and families!

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