Panels and Hearings
As a governor or trustee, you may be asked to sit on a hearing panel to consider a specific issue. Panels are an important part of governance and ensure that the correct policies and procedures have been followed when the school has dealt with a particular matter.
The Governance Team will let you know when a panel is needed and will ask for volunteers. A panel typically requires three governors and/or trustees depending on the nature of the issue.
Getting the most out of meetings
When Panels are Needed
You may be asked to sit on a panel for:
- Complaints from parents
- Permanent exclusions of pupils
- Staffing matters such as grievance, disciplinary or recruitment processes
Who Can Sit on a Panel
You do not need specific qualifications or experience to sit on a panel, and training is available to support you. However, you will not be able to participate if:
- You are a staff governor and the matter involves a colleague
- You know the person involved personally or professionally
- You have been involved in an earlier stage of the process
What to Expect
A panel is a formal meeting. Panel members hear evidence from both the school and the individual making the complaint, or who is the subject of the exclusion or HR process. The panel then considers whether the correct policies and procedures were followed.
Panels are supported by the Clerk, who will advise on process and procedure throughout.
Training is available for all panel types and governors are encouraged to complete it before sitting on a panel for the first time.
