Education Admission Appeal Panel Clerk in Luton

Luton Borough Council is seeking a highly organised, impartial and confident Education Admission Appeal Panel Clerk to support independent school admission appeal hearings and ensure they are conducted fairly, lawfully and in the best interests of children, parents and schools. This is a vital role supporting the democratic and legal process of school admissions, requiring excellent communication skills, strong legislative knowledge and the ability to work calmly and professionally in a formal hearing environment.

You will be responsible for clerking independent school admission appeal panels in accordance with legislation, the Department for Education (DfE) Code for School Admission Appeals, and any local guidance. The current workload averages 60 full-day appeal panels per year, each involving 8–10 individual hearings. Each full day of appeals also requires an additional day for preparation, documentation and correspondence with parents and relevant parties. Panels are held at various venues across Luton, depending on availability and the size of the hearing.

• Clerk independent school admission appeal hearings, ensuring compliance with legislation and statutory guidance.
• Prepare agendas, documentation and correspondence, including notifying parents of appeal arrangements.
• Accurately record proceedings and decisions, ensuring confidentiality and data protection at all times.
• Support panel members, parents and admission authority representatives by providing clear, impartial procedural advice.
• Ensure each appeal is considered equally, fairly and consistently.

• A thorough knowledge and understanding of the DfE Code for School Admissions and School Admission Appeals and the legal framework governing school admissions.
• Experience of working in a committee or clerking role, and/or previous experience clerking school admission appeals.
• Knowledge of education conditions in Bedfordshire and relevant legislation governing admissions and appeals.
• An understanding of equalities legislation, data protection requirements and public sector governance.

• Establish credibility and professional rapport with parents, panel members and admission authority representatives.
• Communicate clearly, concisely and accurately, adapting your style to suit sensitive or challenging situations.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and active listening skills.
• Remain firm, calm and courteous under pressure.
• Maintain an impartial, assertive and diplomatic approach to ensure facts are properly established.
• Show sensitivity and appreciation of individuals’ differing circumstances and backgrounds.
• Converse confidently with members of the public and provide accurate advice in fluent spoken English.
• Use IT systems confidently, including database packages.

• Commitment to client care, fairness and transparency.
• Willingness to keep knowledge up to date through training, briefing papers and review events.
• Ability to work agilely and flexibly to meet service needs.
• Willingness to travel to venues across Luton to attend appeal panels.

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference to families and schools by ensuring appeal processes are fair, lawful and well-managed. You’ll be part of a professional, values-driven local authority committed to equality, integrity and public service.

Because of the nature of this job, it will be necessary for the appropriate level of criminal record disclosure to be undertaken. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare all unspent cautions and convictions; and also any adult cautions (simple or conditional), and spent convictions that are not protected as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020). A person’s criminal record will not in itself prevent a person from being appointed to this post. Applicants will not be refused posts because of offences which are not relevant to, and do not place them at or make them a risk in, the role for which they are applying. However in the event of the employment being taken up, any failure to disclose such offence, as detailed above, will result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the Authority.

• From 25 to 32 days’ annual leave: linked to length of service and grade.
• Buying annual leave scheme: buy up to 20 days additional annual leave.
• Career Pathways: step up in your career or move into a specialist area.
• Pension scheme: with generous employer contributions of up to 20.2 per cent (at July 2023) and 3x salary death in service grant.
• Generous relocation package: up to £8,000 (subject to eligibility).
• Employee Assistance Programme: a free, 24/7 confidential counselling and wellbeing support service available to all employees, their partner or spouse and dependent children over 16 still living at home.
• Work/life balance: flexible working options including working from home where possible. We welcome requests for flexible working arrangements including part-time hours and alternative working patterns.
• Training and support: unlimited access to development courses, mentoring and support and clear career pathways.
• Staff offers: includes discounts on your MOT, gym and fitness, restaurants and salons.
• Arriva Travel Club: great value savings on local bus travel.

We understand that job applications take time and effort, but a high-quality application shows that you are professional with a good attention to detail. The recruiting manager may receive a number of applications for each job advertised so you want yours to stand out!