Call for volunteers to sit on school admissions panel

© Copyright John Firth and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Gloucestershire County Council is recruiting volunteers to help provide fair and independent hearings for parents wishing to appeal school admissions decisions.

People with excellent listening skills and the ability to make balanced decisions are being sought to sit on the independent admission appeals panel.

The volunteers’ role is to help make sure parents are given the opportunity to put forward their case and have their views taken seriously.

Volunteers can commit to as many or few hours as they wish. Hearings can potentially take place over a full day and are held at Shire Hall in Gloucester.

Skills and experience needed include:

• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Good literacy and listening skills
• Ability to remain firm and calm
• Integrity
• Fairness
• Ability to work with other panel members

Anyone can be a panel member unless they are a Gloucestershire County Councillor or council employee. Positions are unpaid, however expenses, such as travel, will be reimbursed.

Cllr Lynden Stowe, cabinet member for economy, skills and growth, said: “Our independent ​volunteer panel members play a very important role in the appeal process, ensuring parents know they can appeal school admissions decisions in a fair and honest way.

I’d like to encourage anyone with an interest in education and a few hours to spare to step forward and help us in this important role.”

More information is available on the county council’s website https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/education-and-learning/school-admissions/apply-to-become-a-volunteer-school-appeals-panel-member/