Join Midlothian's Education Appeals Panel

Good listener? Clear Think? Fair Minded? When Midlothian families appeal school place decisions, they need people like you to ensure every child gets a fair hearing. Volunteer with the Midlothian Education Appeals Panel.

Are you a good listener, clear thinker and fair-minded? 

Then you already have what it takes to become an Education Appeals Panel member.  

Why the Education Appeals Panel matters: 

Where a child goes to school can shape the friends they make, the support they receive, and their path in life.  

So when a family believes their child hasn’t been offered their preferred school place, they have the right to appeal through an independent panel. That’s where you come in. 

By volunteering you can help to ensure that local children get a fair hearing about their education. 

What you will do: 

As an Education Appeals Panel member, you’ll listen to families about why they believe their child should be offered a different school place, hear the school’s position, and make an impartial decision based on the evidence. 

You need impartiality, empathy and sound judgement for this role. If this sounds like you, then you have the qualities we are looking for. We’ll provide a full training package on everything else.  

What we provide: 

  • Full training in April-May 2026 (online, plus reading materials) 

  • Mock hearings which will allow panel members to observe and understand the hearing process before participating in an arranged hearing. 

  • Support from experienced clerks at every hearing 

  • Full reimbursement of Disclosure Check 

Time commitment: 

Appeals are approximately an hour and while most hearings will be heard from the 25th May to the 26th June 2026 there may occasionally be a requirement to attend additional hearings throughout the year. We would require you to commit to a full day, which would include approximately 4-7 panel hearings.  

Who can apply: 

You must be: 

  • A parent of a child of school age, OR 

  • Someone with experience in education, OR 

  • Someone with knowledge about educational condition in Midlothian 

Plus: 

  • Excellent written and spoken English 

  • NOT an employee of Midlothian Council 

  • Available for the May-June 2026 period with the possibility of occasional days throughout the rest of the year. 

  • Able to pass a Disclosure Check (cost reimbursed) 

How to apply: 

Think this role could be for you? Register your interest by 5 January 2026 with a short note explaining why.  

Got any questions? Email our Education Appeals team and we can arrange an informal chat – we’re happy to help. 

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