Skinners School Appeals
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Skinners School Appeals
Comments reaching me about the Skinner's School Appeals, suggest they are as appallingly run as last year (but in different ways). Possibly the greatest example of maladministration in my extensive experience (makes Maidstone Grammar Appeals look like a picnic). It is likely that the Judd appeals are similar. This is no criticism of these excellent schools.
Just a few:
1) Code of Practice (COP) recommends appeals to be held within 30 school days of closing date - not five and a half months after decisions on 1st March! Consequences of this on parental stress levels and ability to focus on other schools, problems for other schools not knowing intake.
2) COP refers to more than one Panel being used for a school only in exceptional circumstances. Skinners used a number of different panels as a matter of routine.
3) Because or as a result of this, adverts for Panel members did not appear until May/June, so training and appointment of members must have been left very late.
4)COP states Panels must make decisions absolutely independently. Decisions were made each night and sent to parents next day, so many parents received results before other hearings took place.
5) It is reported that new Appeal panels asked how many previous appeals had been successful, so that they knew how many places had been offered previously, and how many were left.
6) With all these Panels acting independently was it coincidence that around 12 appeals were successful making a convenient total of 120 places in all?
Other serious issues are a matter for the ombudsman. Last year's appeals also produced a range of faults.
hope this indicates the level of my concerns
1) Code of Practice (COP) recommends appeals to be held within 30 school days of closing date - not five and a half months after decisions on 1st March! Consequences of this on parental stress levels and ability to focus on other schools, problems for other schools not knowing intake.
2) COP refers to more than one Panel being used for a school only in exceptional circumstances. Skinners used a number of different panels as a matter of routine.
3) Because or as a result of this, adverts for Panel members did not appear until May/June, so training and appointment of members must have been left very late.
4)COP states Panels must make decisions absolutely independently. Decisions were made each night and sent to parents next day, so many parents received results before other hearings took place.
5) It is reported that new Appeal panels asked how many previous appeals had been successful, so that they knew how many places had been offered previously, and how many were left.
6) With all these Panels acting independently was it coincidence that around 12 appeals were successful making a convenient total of 120 places in all?
Other serious issues are a matter for the ombudsman. Last year's appeals also produced a range of faults.
hope this indicates the level of my concerns
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guest1
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Guest
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Guest
not sure what grimmerskidad is getting at here - I am no headmaster but an appeal panel member. I am intrigued as to the detail and feel that panel members, who are volunteers, should be given more credit for coming to the best decision 'on the day' without allegations of foul play. You would be amazed at the tales that some parents come up in an effort to gain places for their children, quite contrary to any Code of Practice or natural justice.
I am clear that the overwhelming majority of Panel members, all volunteers, where they are properly trained and given appropriate legal advice by clerks where necessary, do an excellent job and are to be applauded for this, as any other system is unlikely to consider the special circumstances of families so fairly.
However, I monitor appeals across Kent and Medway, and a small minority of Panels fall way below the norm standard, when the ombudsman stands as a guardian (if frustratingly slow!) over these standards. Of course, the typical Panel member conducting his or her affairs according to the rules would be completely unaware of any of this.
Yes, I did raise the issue of Skinners and responded with some examples of fault when asked, to confirm my concerns were not merely sour grapes. However, ombudsman rules have a level of privilege that allows criticism to be made that should not be made in a public forum.
Panel member, please don't take offence, and keep up the good work, from your views you will never be criticised in this way.
I am aware that you do this public service for no reward and I have no wish to decry it.
However, I monitor appeals across Kent and Medway, and a small minority of Panels fall way below the norm standard, when the ombudsman stands as a guardian (if frustratingly slow!) over these standards. Of course, the typical Panel member conducting his or her affairs according to the rules would be completely unaware of any of this.
Yes, I did raise the issue of Skinners and responded with some examples of fault when asked, to confirm my concerns were not merely sour grapes. However, ombudsman rules have a level of privilege that allows criticism to be made that should not be made in a public forum.
Panel member, please don't take offence, and keep up the good work, from your views you will never be criticised in this way.
I am aware that you do this public service for no reward and I have no wish to decry it.