The Pathway to Governance programme

We developed Pathway to Governance because less than 1% of all school governors are aged 30 or under. In a sector with over 20,000 vacancies, this is certainly a missed opportunity. We want to encourage young people to lend their experience and insights to schools. By including more young people on their governing boards, schools increase diversity of perspective.

Since launching in Spring 2023, the programme has proven to be a great success. This page explores the progress of current cohorts undertaking the programme, and thanks the funders who have made this work possible. If you’re interested in funding the programme, please visit our sponsorship and bursaries page.

Sutton Trust alumni - cohort 1

The A&O Shearman Foundation provided a grant to support Sutton Trust programme alumni onto the programme. With this funding, we have worked with participants across England to support them into school governor roles.

More than 70% of this cohort are aged 25 or younger, with 50% from a global majority background.

“Thank you for offering such an insightful and immersive experience in the mock board meeting, I am incredibly enthusiastic and getting into governance and the mock board only helped to reaffirm my enthusiasm.”

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Sutton Trust alumni - cohort 2

As the programme was so popular with Sutton Trust alumni, we are running a second cohort simultaneously. A kind donation from the Schroders Charitable Trust made this work possible.

More than 80% of this cohort were aged 25 or younger, with 54% from a global majority background.

“I’m feeling quite positive about the impact I can make and more confident in myself. I’m excited to secure a governor role and contribute to the success of any school.”

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Camden Learning

Governors for Schools partnered with Camden Learning to increase the proportion of young people involved in governance. Although the local authority already attracts more diverse volunteers than the national average, it seeks to reflect the full diversity of the borough through funding this cohort. Governors for Schools aims to work directly with young people in Camden to support them into school governor roles.

More than 75% of this cohort are from a global majority background, with 60% of the cohort aged 26 or younger. We are currently matching graduates with schools and 13 young governors have been appointed into Camden schools to date.

“Overall, I feel very motivated and capable. The e-Learning developed my knowledge and the mock meeting allowed to apply it and gain insightful tips. I also have a deeper understanding of the issues and challenges facing schools.”

Pathway to Governance in Bedfordshire

Thanks to kind support from the Wixamtree Trust, Governors for Schools will deliver Pathway to Governance for 15-20 young people across the Bedfordshire region.

We are delighted with the opportunity to inspire more young people into the role in the region, and look forward to delivering the programme through the Autumn Term.

Contact [email protected] if you would like to learn more about this cohort.

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Kings College London - second cohort

Governors for Schools will run a second cohort of Pathway to Governance aimed at current Kings College London students and early careers staff.

This is the second cohort delivered in partnership with KCL, following on from a successful pilot in 2023-24. We’ll deliver the programme through the Autumn and early Spring term of 2024-25.

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A second cohort of Amazon employees

Governors for Schools ran the initial pilot for Pathway to Governance with Amazon in Spring/Summer 2023. The collaboration was so successful that it led to a rolling out of the programme in full.

This includes a second cohort of Amazonians, who will take on school governance roles in the Autumn Term.

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Our funders

Thank you again to all who have funded the programme to date (listed below). We’re always looking for more funding opportunities to deliver this programme widely. Please do visit our sponsorship and bursaries page to find out how to get involved.

  • The A&O Shearman Foundation
  • Schroders Charitable Trust
  • The Wixamtree Trust
  • Camden Learning
  • Kings College London
  • Amazon
  • William Leech Charity
  • 29 May 1961 Charitable Trust

Read our brochure

Find out more about our Pathway to Governance programme, and how you can support our mission to get more young people into school governance.