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 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
David Gould OBE
Before retiring, David Gould was Executive Principal of Ark Boulton Academy, which opened in September 2015, and former Principal at Ark St Alban’s Academy, which opened in September 2009. He was also Regional Director of Secondary Education for Ark in Birmingham. As Principal at Ark St Alban's, David improved student outcomes over 16 years with significant improvements in GCSE results. His tireless and focused work resulted in the school being named as one of the country’s best schools on the value-added measure, with pupils making outstanding progress during their time at the Academy. He also helped the Academy to build a strong community presence - forging strong links with Birmingham Central Mosque and with other local religious groups. Prior to joining Ark, David was the Head Teacher of St Alban’s CE Specialist Engineering College. David was awarded a OBE for services to education in 2017.
Ghufran Ahmed
Ghufran has worked in education for over 20 years and is currently Assistant Headteacher at a local secondary school (Saltley Academy). He has previously worked as a Governor for almost seven years at a neighbouring primary school, having held roles such as SEN Link Governor, Chair of the Finance Committee and Vice Chair of Governors. As a resident within the local area (and a parent of children at Ark Victoria Academy) Ghufran understands the determination of every parent to see their child fulfil and exceed their potential. He hopes to play an important role in further strengthening the link between the school and its local community.
In his spare time Ghufran enjoys playing football, cricket and boxing (although he says age is slowing him down!).
Mubarek Daha
Mubarek is an undergraduate computer science student and intern at Aston University, assisting with various projects such as auditing the organization's sustainability policies and supporting efforts to become a more disability-conscious and inclusive employer.
Mubarek is also an Alum of St. Albans Academy where he was a recipient of the Marshall Wace Scholarship towards his university costs. The academy's motto of "giving back to the community" resonated with him and contributed to his decision on becoming an ARK Nominated Governor.
Thomas Green
Thomas is originally from south Wales where he also completed his degree in Human Geography studying at Cardiff University. Following the completion of his degree he trained to become a teacher before moving to London and teaching at an Ofsted 'Outstanding' academy. Following his relocation to Birmingham he took up the post of classroom teacher at nearby Ark Tindal Primary Academy. Thomas has since changed careers and is now a train driver for an international freight operating company. He remains passionate about education and continues to volunteer at local primary schools during his free time.
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.
Adeba Khan
Adeba has worked as an RE Teacher for many years in Birmingham, particularly where there has been social deprivation. She is results-focused with extensive experience leading and motivating staff and students in different settings. She is expertly skilled in assessment and progress and utilises exceptional rapport building skills to develop strong relationships with students and staff.
Aisha Khan
Aisha Khan is a mother of three children that attend Ark Victoria Academy. Prior to becoming a mum, she worked as a teacher in London and Birmingham. She trained as a Citizenship teacher in London and worked full time as a Humanities teacher for six years. Subsequently, she worked as a Supply Teacher in London and Birmingham.
Since becoming a mother, she has forged a number of links with local community groups and is keen for the Academy to work with local organisations for the betterment of the attendees of the Academy and for wider society too.
Steve O'Donnell
Steve is a Senior Relationship Manager at Allied Irish Bank and is involved in several Birmingham and West Midlands professional business groups. He brings many years experience in business and finance to his role as Finance link governor.
Samina Rashid
Samina is the Faculty Director of Science at Ark Victoria Academy and represents the staff body. She grew up in the local community and is an alumni of our primary school. She feels passionately about serving her local community that helped her become who she is today. Samina has been teaching for over 18 years in local and international schools teaching up to A Level chemistry. She wants to see our students become happy, successful pillars of the community.
