Volunteers are wanted to sit on Dudley Council’s School Admission Appeals Panel.

The panel hears and determines appeals submitted by parents or guardians as a result of being refused a place for their children at their preferred school. Members sitting on it must be independent for the duration of their service.

Hearings are held during the day and usually run all day, with peak periods between April and July. Dates are flexible and panel members can choose when to serve depending on availability.

Compulsory training will be provided for the role, with refresher courses for every two years of service. Although the role is voluntary, panel members are able to claim travel expenses and refreshments will be provided. The council is looking to recruit lay members – people without personal experience in the management or provision of education in any school.

The local authority is also looking for education members to sit on the panels – people acquainted with the education system in the borough and/or a parent who has a child registered at school. Councillor Ruth Buttery, cabinet member for children and young people, said:

"Our school admissions appeal panels have a critical role to play in determining appeals fairly and openly from parents in our borough.

"It’s important that we have as broad a cross-section of our society in the borough sitting on them, so we have a panel with different employment and education backgrounds. We would urge people who are interested to get in touch and find out more."

Anyone interested in the role can get application forms and further information by contacting the council’s democratic services, either by email at democratic.services@dudley.gov.uk, or by calling 01384 815238.