Review process

Summary: This page explains what the independent review panel (IRP) looks at and the decisions it can make.

What the panel does

The independent review panel (IRP) checks whether the governing board made the right decision.

It looks at all the evidence from you and the school.

The panel decides if it is more likely than not that each incident happened.

It also considers:

• your child’s needs
• what was happening at the time
• the impact on other pupils and staff

What the panel cannot do

The panel cannot reinstate your child.

It cannot make the school take your child back.

What the panel can decide

The panel can:

• uphold the permanent exclusion
• recommend the governing board reconsider the decision
• quash (cancel) the decision and direct the governing board to reconsider if your child should return to the school

The governing board does not have to reinstate your child.

When the panel can quash a decision

The panel can only quash a decision if it finds a serious problem with how the school made it. This might be unfairness, errors in the process, or a decision that was unreasonable.

What the panel looks at

The panel reviews:

• your evidence
• the school's evidence
• whether it is more likely than not that each incident happened
• your child’s needs and the interests of other pupils and staff

Your child’s school record

The permanent exclusion and panel decision stays on your child’s school record whatever the panel decides.