JFS begins search for new headteacher

JFS has begun the headhunt for a new headteacher after announcing the end of an interim arrangement during which a consultant ran the school.

Chair of Governors Geraldine Fairner said the job of finding someone to run Europe’s largest Jewish school would fall to Dr Chris Ray, the former head of Manchester Grammar School, assisted by Dr Helen Wright, Mr Durell Barnes and Mr Paul Spillane, who she described as “all experienced educationalists”.

Former headteacher Jonathan Miller resigned last May under mysterious circumstances, after the school was significantly downgraded following a surprise Ofsted inspection, but JFS has since bounced back.

Deborah Lipkin, a consultant working with Brent Council, was brought in as executive head, while Simon Appleman, the deputy head, has been operating as acting head. In the last 12 months, exam results have hit record highs.

“The school has achieved phenomenal success over the last 12 months culminating in the recent outstanding exam results,” said Fairner.

“The arrangement of an executive head and an acting head was part of a wider strategy to lay solid foundations and meet the standards expected by us all across the board, and was never intended to be permanent.”