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
If you have any governance-related queries please contact the Governance Team at governance.team@arkonline.org
Our Governors
Shachi Amdekar
Shachi Amdekar is a development economist and Chartered Manager by background. She is a Civil Servant currently working on foreign policy issues at the UK Cabinet Office. Prior to this, she worked in trade and foreign policy roles both in London and overseas, focusing on economic security, multilateral and trade negotiations and trade strategy. Before joining the Civil Service, she worked in private equity and education consulting, and completed her MPhil and PhD at Queens’ College, Cambridge.
Aboubacar Nabe
Abou is a finance professional, currently working as a primary school business manager. He's also worked for a MAT.
He has previously been a parent governor for his children's primary school.
Abou would like to utilise his vast experience in corporate and schools' management to help Globe Academy achieve its full potential and retain its excellent reputation for academic success.
Serkan Poyraz
Serkan serves in a public service capacity in London, with a particular focus on community engagement, safety, problem solving and partnership working. Prior to this, Serkan spent nearly a decade working within schools, playing a vital role in engagement, Behaviour, safeguarding and student & staff safety as a trusted external partner. Having been a former student at Ark Globe Academy, formerly known as Geoffrey Chaucer provide Serkan with a unique perspective and a strong commitment to the schools culture and its role in the community. Serkan is motivated to assist the school and maintain its values, ensuring that each student has the chance to excel and prosper.
Joshua Sharman
Josh is a Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing at London South Bank University. He has a passion for education and strongly believes that education has the power to deliver positive change within society and the local community. He has worked within Southwark, starting his career as a registered nurse at Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, for over 8 years. He cares strongly about young people, ensuring that everyone has access to a good education and that all students are given the opportunity to flourish within their education.
