A former pupil who returned to his primary school and became a governor after nearly 25 years has shared why he wanted to give something back.

Prash Mehta is the chair of governors at Selborne Primary School in Perivale. He became inspired to apply after reading a governor recruitment story in Around Ealing magazine.

On Thursday 15 May, Ealing Council will be hosting a school governor recruitment event in Perceval House from 6pm to 8pm – could you become a governor like Prash?

“It was exactly the same, but bigger and the chairs were much smaller. The smell of varnish was exactly as I remember,” joked Prash, 41.

Could you be governor?

When he’s not being a school governor, Prash works as a legal director for Amazon.

“I saw the story about the recruitment event and thought ‘that looks interesting’. I hadn’t thought about school for more than 20 years. But I wanted to do something outside my work life,” he said.

Prash added that he really enjoyed school and studying within the borough. He said it was ‘by chance’ his old primary school was represented at the event.

What followed was a meeting with the headteacher and a tour of the school. And the rest is history. Within 7 years Prash was promoted to chair of the school governors, but it was the training and support that made his journey so achievable.

He said the training has been ‘incredible’ and he quickly learned about the school curriculum, how to set the school strategy and how to hold the school accountable on its finances, budget and safeguarding.

Prash said: “You don’t need to come from a particular background or have a connection to education. You need an open mind and a willingness to learn. You need to be able to turn up and drive the strategy forward.

“Your input will mean children are kept safe, learning to the best of their ability and exploring the full breadth of what the education system has to offer in the borough.”

One thing he is particularly passionate about is attracting younger school governors on to governing boards.

He said: “There are nuances to growing up in a digital age and that knowledge can help schools navigate this changing dynamic.

“I was 34 when I became a school governor. I’m now seeing younger generations come around the table. They grew up in the social media generation with access to the internet. They might think differently to how I think, for example.”

‘An opportunity to be curious’ Elizabeth Youard is a school governor at Grange Primary School in South Ealing and joined its board of governors in 2019.

She said: “I had it in the back of my mind for years. I kept dismissing it for all the wrong reasons. I thought I couldn’t do it because I don’t have children, or I’ve been out of education too long.”

She added: “It took a school governor 3 minutes to dispel those myths.”

Elizabeth said it was her passion for learning that drew her back to school. She explained: “I really value the role of schools in communities and my respect for what’s carried out at schools has only increased since becoming a governor.”

She said there is lots of support to help governors find their feet.: “When you become a school governor you can’t be expected to know everything all at once. It takes time for you to get to know the school and see what you can contribute,” she added.

“Go along with an open mind. Ask as many questions as you can. Find out what you have to offer, it might be exactly what they’re looking for. It’s an opportunity to be curious and to hear what’s on offer.

“It’s a form of volunteering, but it’s a very special form, where you’re giving something back to the next generation and supporting the community and dedicated professionals who do such a great job in Ealing schools,” she said.

Find out more

Councillor Josh Blacker, the council’s cabinet member for a fairer start, said: “I would encourage anyone with an interest in becoming a school governor to attend our upcoming event.

“There are fantastic opportunities within the borough to bolster our excellent places of learning and make the borough an exciting and inclusive place to learn.”

Visitors to Thursday’s event can expect to:

• hear about the role of school governors
• ask questions about the role
• understand what is involved
• find out about support and training
• meet school governing boards looking for governors

To book your place at the upcoming recruitment event visit the Eventbrite.

For more information email governors@Ealing.gov.uk.