How Ark's governance works
Every school in the Ark network is the legal responsibility of the Ark Schools Board. This board focuses on statutory duties and delegates most day-to-day responsibilities to each school’s individual Local Governing Body (LGB).
This means that our Academy's governors are able to concentrate on the things that really matter – educational strategy, school outcomes and aspiration.
The Ark Schools Decision Making Framework outlines where responsibility and accountability sits for the key functional areas within Ark Schools between the ‘tiers’ of governance.
Our Local Governing Body
Our Local Governing Body (LGB) is made up of 6-10 members – usually people with a local connection or interest who are committed to supporting educational opportunity in the area. The board generally includes:
- Academy Principal
- Up to two Parent Governors
- One Teaching Staff Governor
- One Non-teaching Staff Governor
We aim to create a balanced group that will have the right skills, connections and dynamic for the LGB to work well and support the school in achieving exceptional performance. Attributes we look for include:
- Good insight into the specific challenges at the school and the general challenges of operating top-quality schools
- Excellent community links
- Specific skills as needed by/relevant to the school
- A link to the senior executive team of Ark Schools
All appointments are made by the Director of Governance for Ark Schools. The term of a governor is three years, except for the Principal, who remains a governor for the duration of his or her time in post. Governors may be reappointed for further terms.
The LGB meets four times a year.
Becoming a governor
If you have an interest and commitment to improving education, and would like to make a difference within your community, please register your interest in becoming a governor by completing our online Governor Application Form. If you have any questions about a governor’s role or responsibilities please contact us at governance.team@arkonline.org
A full programme of induction, training and support is provided. You can see more information, including role specifications here.
Contacting the governors
The current Clerk to Governors is Fleur Sifford (fleur.sifford@arkonline.org). Please contact them if you have any governance-related queries, or would like to contact one of the governors.
Our Governors
Catherine Howard
Catherine has worked extensively with vulnerable children including those with SEND and EAL. She has managed and led on inclusion and safeguarding in numerous educational settings. Catherine currently volunteers at Samaritans and is undertaking a PhD in education.
Pedram Bani Asadi
Pedram Bani Asadi is an award winning leader and law masters graduate with years of experience in positions of teamwork, leadership and management.
Presently, he sits on the Student Advisory Group of the UK Council for International Student Affairs and works as the Co-president of the University of Law Students’ Union. Handling all matters related to the student experience, ensuring that issues are addressed, students are heard and understood and that there is strong, bold and daring student representation that holds the University into account. Pedram wanted to bring that experience and energy into a different role that would allow him to give back to the community and create a better future for the younger generation.
Sameeha Hussain
Sameeha was a lecturer in Economics and Business within the FE facility before taking time out to raise 3 children. Two of which are currently at Ark Tindal Primary. With her previous experience in the education system she wants to support the governing body in ensuring every child has the warm and happy environment they need to thrive at school. She has been part of the Ark and Balsall Heath community for over 10 years supporting parents whose first language is not English. With this experience and skills set she wants to grow our sense of community, strengthening children’s creativity and forming strong school-parent partnerships. Like many parents she has an interest in the schools development and getting involved in school events. The role of a parent governor sounds rewarding and valuable in terms of learning about how the school works and being able to assist in its progression.
Rebecca Khan
Rebecca has been a teacher at Ark Tindal Primary Academy for 7 years. She is the English Lead and is passionate about supporting children in their literacy journey. Rebecca is keen to take part in governance and see school from a different perspective and help to make decisions.
Anita Moore
I qualified as a teacher in 1988 and came to work at St. Paul’s Community Development Trust in Balsall Heath, I was initially employed to develop educational activities on our lovely city farm for all the schools in the local community. I soon got involved with all the amazing community events and holiday playschemes for the local children and families. I have had experience of deputising for the children’s centre manager which has enabled me to learn all about supporting families with children under 5, I have managed the volunteer scheme, helping many adults into work as a result and thoroughly enjoyed raising money to ensure children’s play remains in the heart of what we do in Balsall Heath.
I am now a senior manager for the out of school services and for the well-being services for adults in the community, as well as being the lead for safeguarding across the Trust and delivering training creating new DSLs and making sure all the teams are fully aware of current changes in child protection. I am passionate about children having fun, learning to the best of their abilities, having choices in life and growing up to have great self-esteem, to recognise their individual talents and to have equal opportunities; they can achieve all this when they feel safe and are supported by us all.
Kallam Nandra
Kallam is a recent graduate, keen to support future generations through their educational journey. Previously, Kallam has undertaken the roles of a Progression Mentor, voluntary Schools Programme Creator with the United Nations and Treasurer of a university society, which has expanded her knowledge on important topics from safeguarding, wellbeing, effective budgeting and how to create and implement resources adopting effective learning methods for the learning environment. Kallam strives to perform this governor role to the highest professional standard and collaborate with responsible adults to assist younger generations to thrive and have the belief and means to achieve their full potential.