VOLUNTEERS are needed to serve on a Sandwell Council panel dealing with school admissions appeals.

The council is looking for lay members who have no experience in the management or provision of education and experienced non-lay members, such as retired teachers, to serve on the Sandwell Statutory Independent Appeals Panel.

The role of a panel member is a voluntary one and no experience is necessary, However people who come forward will be required to undertake the necessary training before they are eligible to serve on the Panel.

The role will involve hearing appeals from parents whose children have not been offfered a place at a school they want.

Councillor Simon Hackett, cabinet member for Children's Services said: "It's unfortunate that we can't accommodate all parents with their first choice in schools. These panels are very important in the process of making sure the correct decision is made on where a child should be educated."

"I would like people to volunteer to help out on the panel so we get representatives from all areas of Sandwell."

Travel expenses will be available for travelling to and from meetings of the panel and refreshments and meals will be provided each time a panel sits.

Training sessions will be held in April and places on the course will be limited. Anyone interested in becoming a panel member should contact the council by Friday March 20 by emailing andrea_cowley@sandwell.gov.uk or calling 0121 569 3171.