PAPER B

Purpose : For Decision

Committee :    REGULATORY APPEALS COMMITTEE

Date :              25 APRIL 2002

Title :              APPOINTMENT TO INDEPENDENT EDUCATION APPEAL PANELS

REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR, CORPORATE AND ENVIRONMENT SERVICES

SUMMARY

In accordance with the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 and School Admissions Code of Practice to establish a group of members from which independent Appeals Panels can be comprised and to confirm that these members may also be eligible to be appointed by the Diocesan Education Authorities to sit on Appeals Panels in respect of aided school appeals.

BACKGROUND

Independent Appeal Panels hear appeals brought by parents in respect of the following:

           (a)       the decision of the Strategic Director, Education and Community Development to refuse admission of a child to an individual school;

           (b)       a permanent exclusion of a child from a school.

In accordance with the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 and School Admissions Code of Practice independent appeal panels must constitute of three or five members appointed by the Local Education Authority (LEA) and comprise of at least one from each of the following categories: people without personal experience in the management of any school or the provision of education in any school (disregarding experience as a school governor or in another voluntary capacity) and from those who have experience in education; are familiar with educational conditions in the LEA’s area; or who are parents of registered pupils at a school.

At the beginning of the year, all head teachers and Parish and Town Councils on the Island were canvassed for suitable persons to sit on the Appeals Panels. Interviews with all interested applicants were conducted by the Chairman of the Education, Community Development and Life Long Learning Select Committee, the Spokesperson and the Opposition’s Spokesperson for Education and Life Long Learning during February 2002.

A training session for all existing and prospective panel members took place on 5 March 2002 in order to ensure that all those involved are fully aware of the procedures and legislation involved.

Members are requested that the following persons be appointed to the pool of Panel members from which the Diocesan Education Authorities may also choose as appropriate to sit on Appeals relating to Aided Schools.

Lay Members

Mr R C Day, Mr J R Luscombe, Mr N C Charles, Mrs R Trodd

Members with Experience in Education

Mrs R J Bell, Mrs L Cave, Mrs D Dutton, Mrs L Hammond, Mrs L E Jennings, Mrs J E Legg

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Panel members travelling and subsistence allowances.

OPTIONS

2.        To appoint the number of persons, listed above, as Lay Members and those with Experience in Education to the group of members from which independent Appeals Panels may be drawn;

3.        To confirm that the members appointed in 1. above as representatives from whom the Diocesan Education Authorities may choose to appoint to the Appeals Panels in respect of aided school appeals;

RECOMMENDATIONS

THAT Options 1 and 2 be approved

BACKGROUND PAPERS

School Standards and Framework Act 1988 and School Admissions Code of Practice

Contact Point : Mrs B Herbert, ☎ 3282

                                                                                 M J A FISHER

                                               Strategic Director, Corporate and Environment Services