We need more young people like me on boards

With a degree in one hand and an opportunity in the other, my age represented two things: 

1. A barrier - Due to my “lack of X years of experience” in this field or that field, I questioned whether I would be accepted by the current participants of key discussions and major decisions in education, at a local level.
2. My superpower - Being fresh out of university and educated almost entirely in the 21st century, I had a voice, the student voice. It is easily overlooked and often unrepresented at the table, despite the fundamental purpose of the education system to equip young people for life.

Could I predict and prepare for my first appointment being the chair of the strategic body, in a primary school, of a large and growing academy trust?

Nope.

Do I now wish that I knew more before I dived in at the deep end?

Not particularly because I wouldn’t rewrite my story. Being a governor has enabled me to have the most life-propelling experiences. However, I know that prior insight is extremely helpful; simply ask any listener of The Governors’ Podcast; which I co-host. One of the ways I feedforward is as an education governance podcaster; supporting existing and prospective governors and trustees with their own journeys.

I’m naturally curious, with a willingness to contribute to progressive and impactful change. This remains true today, aged 28. My competency was rooted in my self-belief.

There’s a term we often use on the local governing board I sit on to underpin how we develop our students - to “stretch and challenge”. As a co-opted governor at a selective school in a medium-sized academy trust, the chair of the Teaching and learning committee, the Equality, diversity and inclusion link governor and subject link governor for French and German, I believe it’s important to first implement and practice this concept within myself. Striving to be better. 

Let’s think about NOW

Follow the journey of the child, knowing that Generation Alpha are already here (currently in our primary schools), and the youngest of them are not yet born (2025). By the time they all reach 18+ years of age, it’ll be the year 2043. Where will you be? What will education and governance look like then?

Strategic and succession planning has never been more paramount. It’s time to prepare for the future. Plant seeds and nurture growth. If you can remember 2002, which was 20 years ago, then 20 years from now is not that far away. Millennials and Gen Z have a crucial piece to the jigsaw puzzle that the majority do not… recent and relevant experience of the system! Our lived experience IS our X years of experience.

In the almost 5 years of serving in education governance, I have realised that governance isn’t sexy to most people but that doesn’t mean it cannot be. In order to be attractive, you must first be visible. 

But it is visible… isn’t it?

Only to those who already know about it.

If the need is to attract more diverse participants, then we have to audit the game board, update the rules, and introduce new players. There is an abundance of opportunities for all, when there’s a recognised mutual exchange of value. Being the first one doesn’t mean we have to accept being the only one. I urge you to advocate for more diverse members on your board because representation matters.

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Olivia Hinds is co-host of The Governors' Podcast, a student tutor and web designer/content creator.