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 Cathi Hughes (Catherine.Hughes@arkonline.org). Please contact them if you have any governance-related queries, or would like to contact one of the governors.
Our Governors
Daniel Pearce
Daniel has 20 years’ experience as a senior member of UK Law Enforcement, leading teams nationally and internationally. His last role was directing a major national digital transformation programme. He now is the business lead for Europe in an AI company. Daniel studied Zoology and postgraduate studies including an MBA. He lives locally with 3 children, who have all attended Ark Byron. He is passionate about Ark Byron and delighted to be the Chair of Governors.
Tom Dupernex
Tom works for the fintech company iCapital in central London. Previously, Tom worked for a Swiss bank and he is a solicitor (non-practising). He studied geography at Trinity College, Cambridge and currently sits as Chair of the Investment Committee at the Royal Geographical Society and as a Trustee of his former school's Development Trust. Tom is an Acton resident and his three children are being educated at Ark Academies.
Courtney Gainer
Courtney Gainer is passionate about education, having served as both a management consultant to and an executive within schools and universities. Courtney is currently the Head of Student Success at Purposeful Ventures, which is focused on building organisations that help young people reach their true potential. Courtney was seconded to Ark Schools a decade ago and is delighted to now be a Governor at Ark Byron.
Onome Okwuosa
Onome studied English and Media Arts at St Mary's University and went on to lend her creativity to businesses, brands and Local Authorities. As a writer and media artist, she's applied the skills acquired whilst studying for her MA in Creative Writing to her multi-brand campaign pieces; appreciated by the likes of GAP, Marks & Spencer, Sharpie, Chicago Town Pizza, L'Atelier Robuchon Mayfair and Hellman's to name but a few. Both of her children are Ark pupils and her focus is on enrichment and the pursuit of excellence.
Phoebe Parthews
Phoebe is a passionate educator. She has worked in London schools for over 10 years. Phoebe now trains new teachers at Ark Teacher Training. Before this, she worked at King Solomon Academy, an Ark all through school in Paddington, as Assistant Principal with responsibility for teaching and learning. Her interests include responsive teaching, teacher development and developing evidence informed practice in school. She has a two-year old daughter.
Adlyn Walton
Adlyn Walton has been a Teaching Assistant at Ark Byron for almost 2 years. Before her work in education, Adlyn gained a degree in Musical Theatre and has trained at many drama schools across the UK. Since graduating, she has founded her own inclusive performing arts academy to make theatre more accessible for children and young people, especially those of ethnic minority groups. Adlyn is extremely passionate about the arts and has directed and choreographed almost 10 performances for Ark Byron alone, including ‘Bugsy Malone’, ‘Annie’, ‘Oliver’ and ‘School of Rock’ which was performed at The Barbican last year!
Jemma Withers
Jemma’s professional expertise is in business strategy, largely in technology companies, with particular experience leading large teams through periods of change. She studied English Literature as an undergraduate, has a Masters in Chinese Studies, and has an MBA. She lives in Acton with her wife Sarah and their children and has established a charity working with Afghan refugees, focussing on education and employment opportunities.
Rebecca Ross-Wood
Rebecca has been a part of the Ark network since 2012 and a Principal since 2018. Since joining Ark Byron, she has introduced initiatives including five new pupil-led committees; half-termly outdoor learning experiences for every child and weekly coaching for all teaching members of staff. Rebecca is passionate about enhancing Byron’s whole school community by creating more opportunities for staff, pupils and parents to work collaboratively.
Rebecca completed her PGCE at the Institute of Education and has also received the National Professional Qualification for Headship. She is passionate about providing children with the chance to learn the skills and knowledge required to achieve excellence both academically and beyond the curriculum. Before teaching, Rebecca graduated from the University of Durham with a degree in Natural Sciences.
Outside of her work, Rebecca enjoys spending time in the great outdoors with her family.