Current Hasmonean Girls headteacher to take top job at JFS

The current head of Hasmonean Girls’ School, Rachel Fink, will take the top job at JFS (Jewish Free School) in May 2018.

JFS governors made the announcement on Thursday, saying they are “delighted” to appoint Fink, a former head Girl at the school.

They added, that her success is reflected by “Outstanding” ratings for Hasmonean during her seven years leading the school, by both watchdog Ofsted and religious studies inspectors Pikuach.

A chemistry graduate of University College London, with a masters in Jewish Studies from King’s College London, Rachel taught science while she lived in Israel for a decade. She has experience in interfaith work after graduating from the University of Cambridge “Co –exist Leadership” Programme

Praising the appointment, Lord Levy, President of the school, said: “I am truly delighted at the appointment of Rachel as the new Headteacher of JFS. I know that she will now take the school forward with excitement and vision. I wish her great success in this important new position.”

Geraldine Fainer, the Chair of Governors said: “JFS is now ready for the next exciting phase in its remarkable history and the governors know that Rachel will ensure that the school goes from strength to strength. The advisers to the school considered over 100 potential applicants and Rachel emerged as the outstanding candidate for the position of Headteacher..”

On Wednesday, JFS, which is the largest Jewish secondary school in Europe, announced that Executive Headteacher Debbie Lipkin will stand down from her position at the end of the term, following a significant improvement in the school’s Ofsted rating.

Her five-term tenure has seen the school dramatically improve its Ofsted rating to ‘Good’, while the sixth form is now ‘excellent’.

The Governing Body announced that Simon Appleman will continue as Acting Headteacher until Fink takes over in May.