Independent review panel hearings: procedures

Last reviewed on 3 September 2021
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 2422

Parents have the right to request a review of your governing board's decision not to reinstate a pupil after exclusion. This review is done by an independent review panel (IRP), convened by the LA or academy trust. Get an overview of how the hearing will run and what the outcomes might be.

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Contents

  1. LAs and trusts are responsible for convening the panel 
  2. Membership of the panel 
  3. Who can attend the hearing
  4. Documents you'll receive 
  5. Possible outcomes
  6. Finding out the decision 

The information here can be found in sections 8 and 9 of the DfE's statutory guidance on exclusions. One Education also helped us write this article.

LAs and trusts are responsible for convening the panel 

The local authority (LA) for maintained schools and the academy trust for academies is responsible for arranging an independent review panel (IRP) meeting.

It should be held on a date and time and at a location that is convenient for all parties.

Membership of the panel 

A lay member to chair the panel. This person should never have worked in a school in a paid capacity  Current or former school governors (including members of PRU management committees and directors of academy trusts, but not including academy local governors) who have served at least 12 consecutive months out of the past 5 years, provided they haven’t been teachers or headteachers during that period Headteachers or people

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