Independent Review Panels (IRP)

An Independent Review Panel is convened when a parent asks for a Governing Board's decision not to reinstate a permanently excluded pupil to be independently reviewed.

Clerks of London arranges and clerks the Panel from start to finish, drawing on our own pool of Panel Members and SEN Experts. The Panel itself is made up of an independent Layperson Chair, a Headteacher, and a Governor, all trained specifically for IRPs within the last two years, and all independent of the school, the pupil, and the original exclusion decision. Where a case involves special educational needs, an independent SEN Expert can also be appointed, in line with statutory requirements.

Our Clerk manages the whole process: liaising with the school, family and Panel, circulating all documentation; attending the Hearing to advise on procedure and take an accurate record; and issuing the Panel's written decision to everyone at the same time.

The Hearing must begin within 15 school days of the parent's application (the Panel can adjourn if needed), with all paperwork sent out at least 5 school days before the Hearing.

Have a question about how an IRP works? See our FAQs.