Prash Mehta, 41, is chair of governors at Selborne Primary School in Perivale, west London — the same school he attended as a child.
A former pupil has shared his inspirational journey of returning to his childhood primary school nearly 25 years later — not as a visitor or parent, but as its chair of governors. Now, he’s encouraging others to follow in his footsteps and help shape the future of local education.
Prash Mehta, 41, is chair of governors at Selborne Primary School in Perivale, west London — the same school he attended as a child. The idea of becoming a school governor hadn’t crossed his mind for years, until one day he came across a story in Around Ealing magazine about a governor recruitment event hosted by Ealing Council.
“I saw the story and thought, ‘That looks interesting’. I hadn’t thought about school for more than two decades,” Prash said. “But I wanted to do something beyond my work life — something that gave back.”
From Pupil to Governor
When he stepped through the gates of Selborne Primary again after all those years, Prash was struck by the sense of familiarity. “It was exactly the same, but bigger — and the chairs were much smaller,” he joked. “Even the smell of varnish was exactly how I remembered it.”
After a tour of the school and a conversation with the headteacher, Prash quickly realised he wanted to become involved. He was soon appointed as a school governor and within seven years was promoted to chair — overseeing the board and helping set the strategic direction for the school.
Outside of his voluntary work, Prash works as a legal director at Amazon. Yet he credits the robust training and guidance offered to governors in the borough for helping him thrive in the role despite not having an education background.
“The training has been incredible,” he said. “I learned how to scrutinise the curriculum, manage school finances, understand safeguarding, and hold the school accountable. You don’t need to come from a specific profession. You just need to turn up, be open-minded, and want to help children thrive.”
Broadening the Boardroom
One of Prash’s main goals as chair is to encourage more young people to become governors — particularly those who grew up in the digital age.
“I was 34 when I became a school governor,” he said. “Now I see younger generations coming in. They’ve grown up with social media and the internet — they bring fresh perspectives that schools need.”
He believes the knowledge younger governors possess about digital life, mental health, and cultural shifts is critical for today’s pupils. “Their views can help schools navigate a rapidly changing world,” he said.
Busting the Myths
Elizabeth Youard, a fellow governor based at Grange Primary School in South Ealing, had long considered taking up the role — but hesitated, believing she didn’t have the right experience.
“I kept dismissing the idea for all the wrong reasons,” she admitted. “I thought, ‘I don’t have children’, or ‘I’ve been out of school too long’. But then a school governor took three minutes to bust all those myths.”
Elizabeth joined her school’s governing board in 2019 and hasn’t looked back. For her, it’s a way to give back to the community, support the education system, and reconnect with a love of learning.
“I really value the role of schools in society. Becoming a governor has only increased my respect for the professionals working in them,” she said. “It’s a very special kind of volunteering, and incredibly rewarding.”
She encourages others not to feel intimidated: “You won’t know everything at first. That’s OK. The training and support are there. Just come with curiosity and a willingness to learn. You might have exactly what a school is looking for.”
Opportunity to Make a Difference
Ealing Council is hosting a school governor recruitment event on Thursday 15 May, from 6pm to 8pm at Perceval House, aimed at inspiring more local people to get involved.
Attendees will learn what the role entails, meet school representatives seeking new governors, and hear first-hand from those already making a difference in the borough’s schools.
Councillor Josh Blacker, cabinet member for a fairer start, said the opportunity to shape local education should not be missed: “Governors play a vital role in ensuring schools are inclusive, ambitious, and responsive to the community’s needs. I’d urge anyone with a passion for education, equality, or just giving back to attend.”
Whether you’re an old pupil like Prash, someone who’s always been curious like Elizabeth, or simply someone looking to make a positive impact, becoming a school governor could be the next step.
To book a place at the recruitment event, visit Eventbrite and search for “Ealing School Governor Recruitment Event”.
