To worry that I will be judged for how young I am?

[Fireworksinthenightskytoday]

I’m likely going to be becoming a governor at a primary school however I’m only 19 and to be honest I’m a little worried I’ll be judged by the other governors because of my age. Aibu to be worried about this?

Also on a side note. Are there any experienced governors on here who are willing to give me some advice please and let me ask a few questions about being a governor as well potentially? Feel free to either reply to this thread with advice or message me, I don’t mind which.

My main question though is AIBU to be worried about being judged by the other governors because of my age? I’ve been a student governor while in college but this is obviously different to that. Thank you in advance and sorry

If anyone tries to judge you, tell them that you are probably more in touch with the kids that any of them.

Honestly, though, you will probably be welcomed with open arms.

Okay thank you, hopefully I’m welcomed okay and not judged.

One thing to be aware of is not to let them assume you have more time because you’re younger. I was a young governor (24) and ended up getting piled with work because I didn’t have kids/wasn’t elderly and was willing to drive to the later meetings. It took the piss and led to me promptly leaving.

It’s a voluntary role with a fair amount of work and pressure that, in my experience, is very hard to get people to commit to. I would imagine if you are competent and commit to doing the job well, you will be welcomed.

If I were a governor I’d be pretty impressed that you thought to do it.

Maaaany years ago when my children were young I did the parent governor thing. It’s not like all the other governors have a governor qualification. You’d be there to add your views, if you don’t enjoy it you can always leave.
Have your say though otherwise what’s the point?

Okay thank you, I’ll be aware of that, I didn’t think of that to be honest

Okay thank you, I am definitely willing to commit to doing it

I am still in college at 19 but stepped down as a student governor for this as I thought it may be too much to be both a student governor for my college and a primary school governor?

Thank you

Experienced chair of governors here and I would welcome you with open arms! More than happy for you to drop me a message with any questions you might have.

I don't think you'll be judged (or not for too long if you are). It's very hard to get governors and harder still to get decent ones so most people will just be glad you're there.

I had a meeting recently with a new governor who has been paired with my subject. Judging by the list of accomplishments after his name, I expected an elderly professor. I was pretty surprised when he turned up and was much younger than me, but it didn't last long and actually I found him incredibly helpful with a lot of useful contacts.

Be interested and aim to find out what the school's man areas for development are and how you ca best help and always seem to be in their corner (rather than fostering an us and them vibe with the staff) and they'll love you.

Thank you. I have sent you a message, I hope that’s ok

Hi OP. I have previously been a school governor, in my mid thirties, and with significant relevant work experience. I did find that a bulk of the other governors were teachers at other schools and had quite a narrow view of what a governor should be. This was a church school so there was also a strong church clique that I was outside of. This did make governing hard, and was contributory to my stepping down.

As for whether someone your age can be an effective governor, I would caveat that most governors have a body of life experience to draw on which might make it more challenging for you, but at the same time, a lot of it is knowing the education policy landscape inside out, and anyone can learn that, if they put sufficient effort into it.

it’s important to remember that your role is strategic and not operational - you should not have anything to do with the day to day running of the school, but should be helping to shape the school policies and strategies.

It can be incredibly rewarding but can also be very challenging depending on what you are dealing with.

I started being a trustee of various charities in my twenties,. I always felt welcomed. I hope you have a similarly positive experience

Hopefully I have a similar experience

Not a school governor, but if I were I would love a 19 year old colleague. To me, you would bring essential lived experience of recent childhood and education. Things have changed so much since us middle aged ones were young, and there's so much we no longer understand