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 Clerk to the Governors is Sakina Marzban (sakina.marzban@arkonline.org). Please contact them if you have any governance-related queries, or would like to contact one of the governors.
Our Governors
Christopher Jones
Christopher is currently Deputy Head of a secondary school in North London. Previously he was part of the Senior Leadership Team of a large 11-18 academy in Kent. Christopher has worked on a number of teacher training programme including the Troops to Teachers initiative. As a governor, Christopher is keen to understand education through another lens and share his experience of strategic development and academic management. Having grown up in Wales and Norway Christopher is passionate about how education can prepare students for their role as global citizens. Outside of education, Christopher is a successfully, largely self taught artist who has held a number of exhibitions in London.
Judith Abuwa
I am a dedicated mum of four and I work as a teaching assistant in a primary school. I have 10 years experience as a Parent Governor and would like to support Ark John Keats Academy by serving as a bridge between the parent community and the school. My motivation to become a governor stems from my desire to make a positive impact on the education and well-being of all children within the school community.
Maria Ancupova
Maria has earned both a Master’s in International Political Economy and BSc in Management Sciences from the London School of Economics. Upon graduating in 2011 she joined AKO Capital as an investment analyst, becoming a partner in 2016. She strongly believes that every child should have access to great education, regardless of their background, and thoroughly enjoyed working with children through a number of volunteer projects in London and Riga. She supports ARK’s mission to transform children’s lives through education, and is very keen to contribute to the academy through her professional and personal experiences.
Fatos Kocakaya-Rane
Fatos comes from a Turkish background where she is fully equipped with both language and cultural diversity. She has a degree in BA Economics in which she started her financial career and where she has grown in gaining experience and knowledge. Feeling very proud to be part of the AJK as a parent, now would be a great opportunity to join the team as a Governor to bring in new ideas and to support the LGB to build a bridge with parents, especially with those who struggle to communicate due to the language barrier.
Ged Norton
Ged is a head of year and a PRE teacher at AJK secondary. He studied theology and religious studies at university, and loves teaching about religions, philosophy, and ethics to all year groups. His aim is to ensure that students understand, respect, and celebrate the diversity of backgrounds and cultures that exist in their community, and leave school as young adults ready to take on responsibility and excel in their chosen field.
Jessica McGroary
Jessica is a Middle Leader with both pastoral and curriculum experience. She is currently a Phase Leader in LKS2 and Science Lead. She has worked in both KS1 and KS2 in several schools in and around London. With a passion for teaching maths, she qualified as a Maths Specialist Teacher from the University of Hertfordshire and has used her passion to deliver interesting maths lessons that will hopefully inspire the next generation to explore, enjoy and thrive within STEM careers. Her aim is to ensure that all children receive a high quality education.
Sabita Sen
Sabita is an Assistant Headteacher and is in her eighth year of teaching in London schools, having previously worked as teaching assistant, SENDCo and prior to that working in higher education. Sabita is an all-through science teacher (KS1-KS5) who also has a passion for inclusion of children with special educational needs. Sabita wants to serve her community through volunteering as a governor in a local school and feels her experience puts her in a great position to be able to do so.
Sharon Sraha
Sharon has a Business and HR management degree and works as a Resource Support for Scottish Power Renewables. Sharon is excited to serve as a school governor and be a member of a team whose primary goal is to provide the best results for children. She welcomes the opportunity to interact with a diverse group of professionals who are committed to supporting children at a crucial stage in their lives.
