Understanding independent review panels

Ensure competent and effective involvement in Independent Review Panels (IRP). This course will equip you with the essential skills, knowledge and understanding to fulfil your role ensure legal requirements are met.

Training & development

12/11/2025

Session 1: 12 Nov 2025 9.30am-12.00pm | Session 2: 13 Nov 2025 9.30am-12.00pm

Zoom

At a glance

The law requires independent review panel (IRP) members, chairs, and clerks to complete suitable training to ensure they can review school exclusion decisions effectively. Designed for IRP members and chairs, IRP clerks and those in academy trusts and local authorities responsible for arranging IRPs this training provides essential understanding of the relevant law, procedure and practice of IRPs ensuring that you are able to confidently and effectively fulfil your role and meet all legal requirements. For headteachers, governors and SEN experts attending IRPs the course provides the opportunity to develop a clear understanding of what to expect and how to make an effective contribution on the day.

This course will cover:

The current context for IRPs
Understanding the legal framework for IRPs
Ensuring procedural fairness: DfE statutory guidance requirements, natural justice and human rights law
Compliance with equality law and SEN considerations
The relevance of the Human Rights Act
Using relevant case law
The headteacher’s decision to exclude: meeting legal and procedural requirements
The governing board review stage: fulfilling the duty correctly
Roles, responsibilities and duties of IRP members, chair and clerks
Arranging and supporting compliant IRPs
Running an effective IRP meeting
Presenting the case: expectations of headteachers, governors and SEN experts
Managing difficult situations
Ensuring sound decision-making
Recording of proceedings and communication of decision

Duration 5 hours (Two sessions of 2.5 hours each)

Session 1 covers:

The context for IRPs
How schools should approach permanent exclusions
How the governing board should approach permanent exclusion reviews

Session 2 covers:

How IRPs should be conducted
Post IRP decision steps
How to approach the governing board’s reconsideration

Who is this suitable for?

IRP members
IRP clerks
IRP chairs
Headteachers governors or others appearing at IRPs
SEN experts involved with IRPs
Those responsible for arranging IRPs in academy trusts and local authorities and governance support services
Individuals looking to enhance their understanding of school exclusions and reduce the risk of successful governance review and IRP appeals

*This course can also be commissioned for delivery for an individual trust, diocese or other organisation seeking bespoke training and can be delivered remotely or face to face.

What are the benefits?

Fulfils the DfE’s requirement for IRP members, chairs and clerks to have completed appropriate training.
A certificate of attendance will be provided to attendees
Develops essential skills and knowledge needed to effectively fulfil IRP roles
An expert led interactive environment for discussion, application, and consolidation of learning
Sharp insights from an experienced IRP practitioner

How will you learn?

This course will be delivered online via Zoom

Facilitated by a quality-assured NGA consultant with extensive IRP experience
Engaging and interactive format with participant activities, facilitator-led discussions, and case study application
Comprehensive session materials including case study, scenarios and key IRP document templates to reinforce learning, test understanding and promote good practice

Non-member price

George Craig

Meet the trainer

George Craig is an NGA consultant with extensive experience in IRPs. He has served as an IRP panel member and chair on many occasions and, as headteacher and governor, has presented cases to IRPs. He also has considerable experience as chair of governing board exclusion panels. In his consultant role George also conducts external reviews of governance and delivers training for academy trusts and schools. He has many years of experience as an education consultant, supporting school improvement, advice and guidance. He holds the National Professional Qualification in Executive Leadership (NPQEL). George has governed primary and secondary schools and university technical colleges in both maintained and academy sectors. He has chaired Interim Executive Boards and has expertise in special school experience. He was also a designated National Leader of Governance.