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
- One Local Authority representative
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 Katie Bird (katie.bird@arkonline.org). Please contact them if you have any governance-related queries, or would like to contact one of the governors.
Our Governors
Katie Oliver
Katie Oliver was formerly Ark’s Director of Operations and now heads up Ark Start, a pilot programme to broaden and extend work in early years education.
Marsha Flanders
Marsha is a parent of three children who have gone through the school. In July 2021 she achieved a Level 2 award in Support Work in Schools. In her early 20s she worked at Brocklebank nursery and as a classroom assistant in Heathbrook School. She also has extensive experience in a customer service role. Marsha volunteers her time as a governor and also supports Ark John Archer Academy with school trips and weekly swimming trips.
Suzie McCluney
Suzie is a lawyer in the healthcare sector advising on claims, ethical issues, policy and regulatory matters. She has an MA in Medical Law and Ethics and is an accredited CEDR Mediator. Suzie was involved in her children's PTA for a number of years and worked as a teaching assistance with SEN children (on sabbatical) gaining experience of school from the staff room. Her ethos is that it is important to support the development of strong and successful schools within the community to build on the education of local children in as many ways as possible. Suzie's broad range of skills within the professional environment allow her to make a positive contribution to the Governing Body of the school. Her drive is to ensure the children have equal opportunities to understand their own individual strengths and skills in a safe and nurturing environment.
Nida Mohiyuddin
Nida, a proud mother of 5, an accomplished educator, and the co-founder of Nu(pw)R, an organisation dedicated to empowering women in the workplace and supporting their well-being, aspires to serve as a parent governor. Being part of the AJA Parent Power Group has ignited Nida's passion for making a positive impact. With a combination of experience and unwavering dedication, she seeks to advocate for fellow parents and their children, while fostering a strong educational community. Nida aims to harness the transformative power of education, empowering women and families alike, and ensuring that every child thrives and every voice is heard.
Foluke Moses
Foluke works in the retail sector. She has a degree in Communication Arts and has worked with a variety of retailers. She has been involved in adult education and training for a number of years within the workplace.
She has previous experience as a parent governor in a primary school and has worked with young children in various roles, including Sunday school teacher and homework coordinator.
She is a local community champion and is passionate about child education and development.
She is married with children.
Paul Robinson
Paul Robinson is an experienced and successful school leader who has worked in a range of schools types and settings for over 25 years. Paul has been a Headteacher in a local authority school, supported local government and schools in India, an Executive Headteacher in a large MAT and currently an Executive Leader in a smaller MAT in London and Ofsted Inspector. A Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching, he has an Education Masters focused on 'Developing Emotional Intelligence in Schools' and an Education Leadership and Management Masters exploring the role of Executive Headteachers. He is particularly interested in the impact system leadership can have on securing sustained school improvement, in a time of limited resources.
Richard Welsh
Richard is currently the EYFS lead at Ark John Archer after having worked in Ark schools for almost 10 years. He has enjoyed working in Reception and Key Stage 1 throughout his career and enjoys seeing the children develop in confidence, develop a love for learning and enjoying making new friends. Richard looks forward to a challenge of being a staff governor and supporting the school as best he can do to ensure the very best for the children that he works with and the wider community which he feels is so important.
Glenn Prior
DSL
Early Reading and Phonics Lead
Personal Development Lead