Independent Review Panel (IRP) Training

Independent Review Panel (IRP) Training
Run fair, defensible reviews with confidence

Essential IRP training with legal and leadership experts. Practical steps to run fair, defensible panels that protect pupils and your trust.

Members of Independent Review Panels (IRPs) undertake an essential statutory function at the most critical time in the relationship between families and schools. Decisions must be fair, consistent and defensible, not only for the pupil’s sake but for the reputation and legal risk of your school, college or Trust. The required constitution of a panel means that members often have no or little experience of the education sector which can result in a lack of confidence to Chair or be a member of a panel.

This workshop gives panel members the practical know‑how and legal context to conduct IRPs confidently within the statutory framework, avoiding common pitfalls that lead to challenge.

You’ll learn from a blended expert faculty: our senior associate Harriet Wheeldon (governance and regulation for charities and Academy Trusts; an experienced trainer of boards and senior leaders) and Nick Alstrom (solicitor advising schools on complex matters including SEND tribunals and parental complaints, with experience representing both schools and parents), alongside Sarah Young (Director, Young+, former National Leader of Education), who brings 25+ years of leadership in schools and Trusts.

Our education team’s day‑to‑day work spans exclusions, parental complaints, SEND matters and even IRP clerking services, grounding this workshop-style session in the realities panels face.

(This training supports the biennial statutory training requirement for IRP members).

What you’ll gain

By the end, you will be able to:

• Run a procedurally robust panel from referral to decision, following a clear step‑by‑step roadmap.

• Apply the legal framework confidently: roles, duties, and the tests a panel must consider—plus what good record‑keeping and reasoning look like.
• Spot and avoid challenge points (bias, conflicts, process slips, SEND/disability considerations) that commonly drive complaints or escalation.
• Handle sensitive hearings well: questioning that’s fair to pupils and parents, managing strong emotions, and creating an environment that builds trust.
• Write clear, defensible outcome letters that explain findings and rationale and reduce the risk of further challenge.
• Take away practical frameworks you can use the very next day: decision‑making checklists, lines of inquiry, and example structures for panel minutes/letters.

Who is this event for?

Ideal for:

• Independent Review Panel members and chairs
• Governors/trustees and board members in MATs
• Clerks/Governance professionals supporting exclusions/IRP processes
• Headteachers, Principals, Deputy Heads, DSLs and Inclusion/SEND leaders
• HR/Legal/Compliance leads in education settings

If you’re newly appointed to an IRP, need a refresher, or want assurance that your approach stands up to scrutiny, this workshop is for you.

Our speakers

Harriet specialises in governance and regulation for charitable organisations and Academy Trusts. She regularly trains Senior Leaders and Governing Boards on exclusion procedures and has clerked independent review panels.

Nick advises schools on complex legal matters including exclusions, SEND tribunals, and parental complaints. He has represented both schools and parents in tribunal claims and is a Trustee of Harbour Learning Trust, offering valuable governance insight.

With over 25 years of leadership experience in schools and Trusts, Sarah brings deep expertise in strategic development, leadership coaching, and sustainable school improvement. She was a National Leader of Education and founder of Young+, a consultancy focused on adding value through personable and impactful support.