Annex C
TRAINING
RECOMMENDATION 1:
THERE IS
NEED FOR
A SPECIFIC
REQUIREMENT IN
THE SECRETARY
OF STATE'S
RESPECTIVE GUIDANCE
TO ADMISSION
AND EXCLUSION
APPEAL PANELS
TO THE
EFFECT THAT
IT IS
MANDATORY FOR
ALL PANEL
MEMBERS TO
RECEIVE FULL
INDUCTION TRAINING
BEFORE BEING
ALLOWED TO
HEAR APPEALS
We believe that making training mandatory may
increase burdens and may result in less willingness for volunteers
to work in this capacity. However, it is our intention to recommend
that LEAs should provide induction training to new exclusion appeal
panel members in our proposed guidance.
As for admission appeals, the School Admission
Appeals Code recommends admission authorities to ensure that all
panel members receive appropriate training before hearing appeals.
We understand that in almost all cases members have been on induction
training before sitting on a panel. We will of course continue
to promote the need for new members to receive induction training
as soon as practicable.
RECOMMENDATION 2:
THERE IS
A NEED
TO REMEDY
THE LACK
OF TRAINING
IN CHAIRING
SKILLS FOR
THE CHAIRS
OF ADMISSION
AND EXCLUSION
APPEAL PANELS,
HAVING REGARD
IN PARTICULAR
TO THE
JSB'S FRAMEWORK
OF COMPETENCE
FOR TRIBUNAL
CHAIRS AND
MEMBERS
We accept that there is a need to address the
lack of suitable training in chairing skills for chairs of admission
and exclusion appeal panels. For admission appeal panels, a new
training package has recently been developed by the Information
for School and College Governors which includes specific components
on chairing skills. The package will be available before the end
of the year. As for exclusion appeals, we intend to address this
through the on-line tutor-led training material which is being
commissioned.
RECOMMENDATION 3:
THE TRAINING
FUNCTION FOR
ADMISSION AND
EXCLUSION PANELS
SHOULD BE
ORGANISED REGIONALLY,
AND PROPER
SYSTEMS PUT
IN PLACE
WITHIN LEAS
AND ADMISSION
AUTHORITIES FOR
ESTIMATING AND
EARMARKING RESOURCES
FOR FUTURE
TRAINING NEEDS
We are concerned that this would slow down the
system and render some volunteers unable to fulfil their duties
as appeal panel members. This recommendation may also extend the
time it takes appeal panels to organise and deliver training compared
to local training events.
For both admission and exclusion appeal panels
we believe that the way training is organised should be for local
decision according to local circumstances and resources. That
said, we are aware that some LEAs already work closely together
and co-operate on a regional basis to provide training.
16 October 2003
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