From lockdown to leadership: my journey as a school governor
Becoming a governor or trustee is an exciting opportunity for personal and professional development, as well as giving back to your local community. But it can be daunting, particularly if you’re the youngest person in the room.
Bradley Fage is a governor at Kingswood Primary School in London and started governing at age 24. In this blog, Bradley shares his journey into school governance, explaining how NGA’s Young Governors' Network helped him gain confidence, embrace leadership and bring a valuable fresh perspective to his board.
Like many people, the COVID-19 pandemic gave me a lot of time to reflect. During those long months of lockdown, I found myself searching for something more—something meaningful, something that my day job didn’t quite give me. While I enjoyed my work, I wanted to be part of something that had a direct, positive impact on the community. That’s what led me to school governance.
I didn’t come from an education background, I wasn’t a parent, and I certainly wasn’t a director, just someone with a genuine interest in making a difference. I started doing some research and came across the role of a school governor. The more I read, the more it felt like the kind of challenge I was looking for.
After a series of applications and interviews, I joined my local school’s governing board as a co-opted governor (a governor who is appointed by the board based on their skills and experience).
Not long after joining, I was asked to step into the role of vice chair. It was earlier than I’d expected to take on more responsibility, but I said yes—partly out of curiosity, and partly because I believe that fresh perspectives, especially as a young person, are valuable in governance.
Before long, due to a change in leadership, I found myself becoming chair of governors. It was definitely a case of being thrown in at the deep end, but I was lucky to be surrounded by a supportive board and a brilliant school leadership team. Being chair meant I had to step up quickly, and with that came extra hidden responsibilities: driving meeting agendas, chairing behaviour panels, and helping set the strategic direction for the school. It was intense at times, but it was also incredibly rewarding.
As a younger governor, I often found myself as the youngest person in the room. While my fellow governors were welcoming and supportive, I occasionally felt like I stood out. That’s when I discovered the Young Governors Network, and it was exactly what I needed.
The network connected me with other young people across the country who were also navigating governance roles. It was refreshing, reassuring, and energising to be in spaces where my experiences were shared and understood. We talked openly about the challenges of being taken seriously, impostor syndrome, and the pressure of big responsibilities, all while celebrating the value that younger governors bring to the table.
Being part of the Young Governors' Network helped me grow in confidence and gave me a forum to discuss the tools to become a better leader. It reminded me that diversity in governance—whether that’s age, background, or perspective—is essential for making truly informed decisions that benefit all pupils.
Becoming a governor during the pandemic was never something I planned, but it’s become one of the most meaningful parts of my life. I’ve learned how to lead, how to challenge supportively, and how to keep pupils at the heart of every decision. I’ve seen firsthand how good governance can uplift a school community and how fulfilling it is to play even a small part in that process.
If you’re someone looking for purpose, for impact, or for a way to contribute beyond your day job, consider becoming a governor. And if you’re a young person wondering whether your voice matters in these spaces: it does. I’ve lived it. And the Young Governors Network is there to back you every step of the way.
Join our next Young Governors' Network meeting, where we will discuss how being different can be a powerful force for shaping new mindsets and perspectives. We’ll also explore how governors and trustees can ask the right questions.
