School governors play an active role in school life and in helping pupils to fulfil their potential. Interested in getting involved? Ealing Council is hosting an event for anyone who thinks they might be interested in finding out more.
It will be held at Ealing Town Hall between 6.30-8pm (registration from 6pm) on Wednesday, 14 March. Current governors, council officers and representatives from schools looking to recruit new governors will be there. They will tell you about the training available, answer any questions you may have about being a governor and, if you are interested in becoming one, help to match you up with a local school. Governors do not need to have connections to a school; but if they have a child at a school they can look at becoming a parent governor there.
Tan Afzal is a governor at Dormers Wells High School. She said: “It’s interesting because you know people are always looking at ways to shape the future – whether it’s about the environment, about kids in general, or whatever it may be; and I really feel like I make a difference to the pupils.
“You learn so many skills because, for a start, you learn to understand the processes that the school has. You learn to understand what’s important to the staff, to the teachers and to the parents, as well as the kids. You also make some really interesting relationships with the other governors.”
Watch the video above to hear Tan’s story about how, and why, she became a governor.
To become a governor, you just need to make a commitment of your time, have a passion for improving the chances of young people and possess a willingness to learn. Full training is provided if you sign up; and, on average, the total time commitment is around six to 10 days per year. If you work, your employer should give you reasonable time off to carry out your duties as a school governor.
There is more information about becoming a governor on the Governors for Schools website. For more information about the event or becoming a governor in Ealing, email governors@ealing.gov.uk
