Academies are schools funded by the government with the freedom to govern independently but all are accountable to the Secretary of State for Education. To share resources and best practice, many are part of multi-academy trusts – a network of schools under one legal body. Ark Kings Academy is part of Ark - a leading education charity and one of the country’s top-performing academy operators. Ark is non-denominational and does not make any profit from running its schools.

The Ark Schools Articles of Association, Master Funding Agreement and Decision Making Framework can be found on the . Ark's audited accounts information can be found here. Ark’s relationship with the Secretary of State is set out in the master funding agreement. There are also supplemental funding agreements for each individual school in the network, including Ark Kings.

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, unlike in most non-academy governing bodies, Ark Kings’ governors are able to concentrate on the things that really matter – educational strategy, school outcomes and aspiration.

PDF icon ARK Kings Supplemental Funding Agreement
PDF icon Ark Schools Master Funding Agreement.pdf

 

The Ark Schools Articles of Association, Master Funding Agreement and Decision Making Framework can be found on the Ark Schools website here: www.arkonline.org/uk-schools/admissions-and-policies

 

Our Local Governing Body

Ark Kings Academy’s LGB is made up as follows:

  • Six to ten members appointed by Ark, to include the Chair – usually people with a local connection or interest who are committed to supporting educational opportunity in the area,
  • Ark Kings Academy Executive Principal.

Ark Schools aims 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:

  • 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,
  • There are vacancies for two Parent Governors and a Staff Governor.

The LGB meets four times a year.

If you are interested in becoming a governor please visit www.arkonline.org/uk-schools/become-governor for further details about the role and information on how to apply.

 

Contacting the Governors

The current Clerk to Governors is Fleur Sifford (fleur.sifford@arkonline.org). Governors can be contacted through the clerk.

If you have any governance-related queries, please contact governance.team@arkonline.org

For more information please contact Ark Central:

The Yellow Building
1 Nicholas Road
London W11 4AN
Phone: 020 3116 0800

 

Current Governors

Alastair Willcox | Chair

Alastair is a qualified solicitor and works for the Solicitors Regulation Authority (based in Birmingham) in their in-house Legal Department, specialising in regulatory law. His work is concerned with disciplinary proceedings against solicitors and prosecuting solicitors at the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. Before moving to the SRA he worked as an employment solicitor in private practice representing both businesses and individuals.

Alastair studied French and Spanish at The University of Liverpool and spent the third year of his degree teaching English in a school in Avignon. Whilst working as a Legal Assistant at Birmingham City Council, Alastair became involved with projects run by Education Business Links and BXL in local schools and colleges. He remained committed to the project when he left Birmingham City Council to continue his career and continued to mentor students at "Practice Interview Days" and "Skill Days" at an Academy in Birmingham.

Marion Cole | Staff Governor

Marion Cole is a highly experienced and dedicated educator who currently serves as the Staff Governor for Ark Kings Academy. With over two decades of experience in various primary and secondary settings, Marion has developed a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that come with working in the education sector.

In her current role as KS3 Interventions Lead, Marion leads bespoke interventions in 1-1 and group format, covering a wide range of issues such as conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, self-esteem, anger management, behaviour in the classroom, mediation, friendship issues, social skills, bullying, and respect for all. Her expertise in these areas has helped countless students overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential.

Marion's passion for education extends beyond the classroom. She has headed a Roma Gypsy project for Birmingham City Council and has appeared on a documentary TV programme, where she showcased her expertise in creative reading and writing at an alternative education setting. Her work has helped to promote the empowering benefits of reading for young people in society.

Marion's academic achievements are equally impressive. She holds a Degree in Teaching in the Longlife Sector EAL/English from Worcester University and a Degree in Mentoring from Sheffield University. Her qualifications and experience have made her a valuable asset to the Ark Kings Academy community.

Marion is committed to working closely with staff, families, and the wider community to ensure that every student at Ark Kings Academy reaches their full potential. Her dedication and expertise make her an invaluable member of the team, and she is determined to help Ark Kings Academy and its community reach new heights of success.

Nzingha Goulbourne | Mental Health and Wellbeing Link Governor

Marketing graduate and successful communication assistant intern from the University of Bedfordshire. Currently studying for a Masters in Psychology at Coventry University. Career and Personal Development focussed, and an aspiring Educational Psychologist. Experience working with children as a self-employed behaviour support tutor, working across the Birmingham area with pupils with ASD. With three years' previous experience working in a secondary school in a busy academy in Birmingham as a receptionist and administrative assistant. Nzingha enjoys working with children and young people and has a strong passion for SEND, inclusion, representation and mental health in schools and the community. Enthused to give back to the community and make a positive difference in children's and young people's lives. Nzingha has a specific drive to work in schools and the wider community to improve educational outcomes for all children and young people. 

Jessica Hazlewood | Safeguarding Link Governor

As of January 2023, Jessica will be the Vice Principal at Ninestiles, an Academy in East Birmingham with responsibility for all things pastoral. Jessica has worked at a range of schools in both the Midlands and London having trained as a geography teacher through the Teach First graduate school back in 2012. Jessica studied Geography at King's College London and has a Masters in Cities from the same university.

Arthur Reeves | SEND Link Governor

Arthur is Assistant Vice Principal at the University of Birmingham School, with specific responsibility for securing outcomes for pupils with SEND and those who attract Pupil Premium funding. Prior to this, Arthur was part of the successful Leadership Team at Ark St Alban's. A history teacher by training, Arthur studied History and Politics at the University of York and has a Masters in Education.

Mubarak Tairu | Ark Nominated Governor

Mubarak is a recent graduate from the University of Manchester, where he studied Economics and Philosophy. He works for KPMG in their Deal Advisory business stream, specialising in advising corporations on integrating and separating business assets. He’s also working towards his ACCA qualifications, to become a chartered accountant. As an Ark School Alumni, Mubarak is passionate about paying things forward and ensuring young voices and opinions are heard at the board level, by bringing in fresh perspectives from his lived experiences, but creating the space for the lived experiences of others as well.

Kiran Vithal | Vice-Chair and Finance Link Governor

Kiran works for the Department for Education. Prior to this role Kiran worked for Ark schools, one the UK’s leading multi-academy trusts for nine years. He is a former Vice-Principal, working as part of the leadership team at Ark St Alban’s in securing outstanding outcomes. As a Future Leaders participant, he has also supported other schools nationally in improving outcomes and ensuring curriculum structures align cohesively for achievement. Kiran studied Computer Science & Software Engineering at the University of Birmingham and has a Masters in Educational Leadership.

 

Caz Brasenell | Executive Principal

 

All appointments are made by the Director of Governance for Ark and the term of a governor is three years, except for the Principal, who remains a governor for the duration of their time in post.

 

To view the Governors Attendance Record please follow the link here:  AKA LGB Attendance 2022-23.pdf

To view the Governors' Declarations of Interest:  V3 Declarations of Interest Ark Kings 2022 - 2023.pdf

 

If you wish to access a hard copy of any policy please contact the school's office on 01214594451 or email: info@arkkingsacademy.org.