Rethink on school appeals system

Ministers believe the current school appeals system is unfair

The school appeals system in Scotland is to be subject to a consultation exercise, ministers have confirmed.

The current process allows challenges to a council's decision to refuse a child's school placing request.

However, the move has been criticised by the Scottish Parent Teacher Council which said an appeals system creates false expectations for families.

But the executive said it was backing the consultation because many parents felt the appeal committees were unfair.

In 2004-05 there were some 696 appeals made to local education appeals committees - but just 85 of these were successful.

'Painless and productive'

Deputy Education Minister Robert Brown said: "Our research shows that too many people believe there is a serious imbalance of power between the council and parents.

"That's why we have launched this consultation to make the system as painless and productive as possible for parents."

The planned improvements include:

• giving better information and advice to those making appeals

• guidance for councils on how to conduct hearings

• encouraging councils to make sure the panels are not chaired by councillors

• and that councillors do not make up the majority of panel members

Mr Brown added: "It's crucial that appeals tribunals are not only independent but seen to be independent.

"We also need to ensure that appealing against a council's decision is not an intimidating experience for people."

The Scottish Parent Teacher Council said there was no point in amending the process as there was little chance of parents winning.

Eleanor Coner the council's spokeswoman, said school walls could not be expanded to meet demand and an appeals system "creates false expectations".

The Headteachers' Association of Scotland said the proposals seemed designed to make appealing a "cuddlier operation" and it believed the changes were biased in favour of parents.

The consultation will run until 16 February next year.