Independent Review Panel applications (exclusions)

The process

In the case of permanent exclusions, the local authority or (in the case of an academy) the academy trust must, at their own expense, arrange for an independent review panel (IRP) hearing to review the decision of a governing board not to reinstate a permanently excluded pupil. Parents must apply within the legal time frame:

• within 15 school days of notice being given to the parents by the governing board of its decision not to reinstate a permanently excluded pupil
• where an application has not been made within this time frame, within 15 school days of the final determination of a claim of discrimination under the Equality Act 2010 in relation to the exclusion

Hackney schools should include this IRP application form with their permanent exclusion outcome letters.

We ask parents to send the completed application form BOTH to governorservices@hackney.gov.uk and via post. Please do not send the application via post only as Covid-19 regulations may lead to delays in it being processed. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, or you can contact the Hackney Exclusions team.

You can read more about the process and legal duties of the local authority in the DfE Exclusion from maintained schools, academies and pupil referral units in the England statutory guidance.