Governance

Paul was born in Newcastle and grew up in Yorkshire. He attended a local comprehensive school and then Cambridge University. After a period working in investment banking he co-founded an asset management business and held the role of CEO for fifteen years. Paul takes a keen interest in education, believing passionately that all children should have access to a quality education capable of equipping them to fulfill their potential.

I am an experienced Deputy DSL at Ark Acton Academy. I work very closely with our Vice Principal to ensure all students and staff are safe. However, I have an invested interest in all things Equality Diversity and Inclusion. One of my many hats that I wear outside of AAA, is that I sit on the Ealing panel that approves both Adopters and Foster Carers as well as matching placements. I also sit on the Equality, Exclusion and Attendance Board for Barnet and I am a parent governor. As I am a governor outside of Ark it has been a fascinating journey to see how schools are run outside of the day-to-day functions. As an employee, I believe very much in Mr Knight's vision for the school and all those that attend. With that being said, I would like to contribute and help move the school forward in a positive way to ensure that all who attend leave school with the skills to become a good role model and inspiration to their community.

Dr. Curtis is a passionate believer in educational opportunity for all and much of his career has reflected this. His current position is Research and Evaluation Manager at Paul Hamlyn Foundation, an organisation committed to social justice. His daughter attends Ark Acton and he has been impressed with the school’s transformation over the last few years and the vital role it plays in the local community. As parent governor he would be able to bring a broader perspective of educational issues as well as real life experience as a parent of a student at the school.

Konstantina has been a resident of Ealing for 15 years, and is the parent of two children in state-funded secondary schools in the Borough. Therefore, she has a wide knowledge and acute interest in the quality of public education in her locality. Professionally, Konstantina is employed full-time in the finance industry and has participated in bank recruitment programmes for students of sixth form. She is able to lend that experience to Ark Acton in order to help students interested in that career path with an applied, pragmatic and hands-on perspective.

Josephine is an experienced R&D professional who has worked in the pharmaceutical industry since 1999. She is currently the Chief Development Officer at Precirix, a Belgium based biotech company developing drugs to treat cancer. Before moving into the pharmaceutical industry, she gained a PhD at the Institute of Cancer Research, London, in molecular biology and genetics.

She also has a BSc (1st class Hons) from Sussex University in Biology with European Studies (French) and a diploma from the Universite Joseph Fourier, Grenoble. Josie is a keen scuba diver, skier and more recently a snow boarder. She lives in London with her husband, secondary age twin children and twin cats. Josephine was previously the parent governor at Ark Byron for a three year term.

Kiera Oluwunmi is a Barrister practising in criminal law. Prior to being called to the Bar, Kiera worked for a member of the House of Lords and completed leadership programmes with a focus on reconciliation in her native Northern Ireland. Kiera had volunteered leading workshops and careers advice panels for school leavers as well as those not in education and employment. Kiera has volunteered extensively with those affected by homelessness and refugees and feels passionately about amplifying the voices of those who feel disillusioned by society. In this role as a governor, Kiera hopes to bring her experience from advocating for the vulnerable and entering a competitive professional environment to help benefit current and future pupils.

Nick Pointer is Associate Dean of Learning Design and Strategy at Ambition Institute, where he oversees the design and delivery of programmes of professional development (CPD) for teachers and school leaders. As a teacher educator and coach Nick specialises in research-informed approaches to the development of teacher expertise. In the classroom, Nick has previously worked in a number of state secondary schools teaching science and physics, in addition to leading teams as a director of science. He is passionate about the power of education to give young people the best start in life and believes that schools play a crucial role in serving and supporting local communities. Nick is a keen sailor and windsurfer, and before working as a science teacher taught watersports in sailing schools across Europe.

Soraiya's motivation to becoming a governor stem from the desire to make a positive impact on the education system and support everyone with learning needs. With first hand experience within the SEN community, Soraiya hopes to support with and understand the challenges that all parties go through.