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.
Touria Ennassiri
Touria finished her academy learning in Morocco, once here in the UK she got a Level 3 in Community Interpreting, GCSE English and passed her Level 4 Certificate in Higher Education Business Skills in the Workplace with a merit. Touria is a member in the PTA at Ark Tindal Primary Academy and is delighted whenever she is part of any activity at school where her two daughters are studying.
Muna Hurie
Muna is an experienced Foster Carer with years of expertise in nurturing children. Muna has a strong commitment to education and has been actively involved in various community programmes and initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of education. Muna has a deep personal connection and understanding of the academy and is motivated to serve as a governor to contribute to the continued success and development of the school, ensuring that all students receive the best possible education and support.
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.