So does every appeal get heard by a panel or...

[mrsnw]

Do they select the cases that might possibly win? Just interested how the panel manage to hear everyone's case.

The <a class="break-all" href="http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130401151715/www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/DFE-00014-2012.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Schools Appeals Code 2012 sets out the format for appeals. It is very strict.

"2.12 Appeal panels must allow appellants the opportunity to appear in person and make oral representations. Appellants may be represented, or accompanied by a friend. Where an appellant fails, or is unable, to attend and it is impractical to offer an alternative date the appeal may go ahead and be decided on the written information submitted. Appeal panels must comply with their duties under the Equality Act 2010 when considering an appellant?s attendance and representation at the appeal."

In other words, if a parent chooses to, they can just look at the written evidence and appeal statement by the parent. However, if a parent wants to appear in person, they must let them.

The simple answer is yes - every appeal is decided by a panel. Whether or not there is a hearing is up to the parent. But the panel cannot cherry pick nor can anyone else. If a parent appeals it must be dealt with properly.

There won't be a single appeal panel for your LA, however. They will have a pool of appeal panel members and will choose a different panel for each school. Individuals may be involved in appeals for more than one school but no-one will have to attend every appeal in the LA.

Its as PRH says.
In my local authority there is a pool of about 30 panel members, who are classed as either lay members or as education members of the panel. Something like 10 of them have also received training so that they can chair the panel. What should happen if at all possible is that the same panel will sit if after the "block" appeals a late appeal comes in for the same school. The LA then tries to make sure that those panel members do not sit on a panel for the same school for at least the next 12 months, but that is not always possible.

Yes, we hear every appeal.

Busy time of year then!