Students enjoying the sun at Ark Putney Academy in south west London
Establishing strong, diverse governance teams
Local governance plays an important role in ensuring that every pupil at our schools has the opportunity to succeed. By volunteering their time, skills and experience, our Governors and SPRB Representatives provide constructive challenge and support to school leaders and help strengthen links between our schools and the communities they serve.
At Ark, we aim to build a diverse and inclusive governance teams that reflect a range of perspectives, experiences, skills and connections.
Our schools have one of two local governance arrangements: a Local Governing Body (LGB) or, in the Pontefract region, a School Performance Review Board (SPRB). While their structures and responsibilities differ, both provide important local insight, challenge and support.
Our governor recruitment process follows the principles set out in Ark’s diversity and inclusion statement . Our Local Governing Bodies (LGBs) should be diverse and representative of the community that the school serves. Together, the governors should possess a range of experience, skills and connections that will support the school to achieve its priorities.
For those considering becoming a school governor, get involved fully. Embed yourself within the school, engage with the community, and be prepared to contribute your time and effort. It’s not just about attending meetings; it’s about actively participating, understanding the needs of students and staff, and being a part of important decisions that shape the school’s future.
Interested in joining local governance at Ark?
Our local governance arrangements
The Ark Schools Board is the legal governing body for all Ark schools. Local governance supports the Board by providing valuable local insight, challenge and support.
Most Ark schools have a Local Governing Body (LGB). Schools in the Pontefract region have a School Performance Review Board (SPRB).
LGBs and SPRBs have different structures and responsibilities, reflecting their respective governance arrangements. You can find more information about the governance arrangements for a particular school on the Governance page of the school’s website.
Local Governing Body roles
Depending on the school and vacancies available, LGB opportunities may include:
- Ark-appointed Governor – a member of the community or other individual who brings relevant skills and experience and is committed to supporting the school’s success
- Parent Governor – a parent, guardian or carer of a child at the school (advertised to the parent body when a position becomes vacant)
- Staff Governor – a serving member of the school staff team (advertised to the staff body when a position becomes vacant)
- Ark Link Governor – a person working within the wider Ark network
School Performance Review Board roles
In the Pontefract region, opportunities include:
- Community Representative – someone who brings relevant skills, experience, local knowledge and connections to the SPRB.
- Parent Representative – a parent, carer or guardian who brings a parental perspective to the SPRB.
- Staff Representative – a member of staff who brings first-hand experience and a staff perspective to the SPRB.
My time on the SPRB gave me a far greater appreciation of the dedication, resilience and professionalism of school staff. Through visits, discussions with leaders and my SEND and safeguarding link roles, I developed a deeper understanding of both the opportunities and challenges schools face in supporting every child to succeed.
Appointment induction and support
Appointment arrangements and terms of office vary according to the governance model and role. Full details are provided in the relevant role description.
All Governors and SPRB Representatives receive a structured induction and ongoing support from the Ark Schools Governance Team. Members are expected to undertake relevant training and development and to contribute beyond formal meetings where appropriate, for example through school visits, link roles or panels.
Governors and SPRB Representatives are also expected to comply with Ark’s governance standards, including requirements relating to conduct, confidentiality, declarations of interest and relevant checks
My driving force has been to continue learning and growing. To be an effective governor, you must look beyond the papers before you and delve deeper into the issue. A significant aspect of my work involves examining how education contributes to our country’s economy. I am committed to improving how we educate our children and actively seek to influence this process.
Join local governance at Ark
If you have questions about local governance at Ark or would like to find out more before applying, contact the Ark Schools Governance Team at governance.team@arkonline.org.