JFS head to step down at the end of term

The Executive headteacher of Europe’s largest Jewish school is to step down from her role.

Debby Lipkin is to leave her position at the Jewish Free School (JFS) in Kenton at the end of the term, to take up a new role elsewhere.

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

Geraldine Fainer, Chair of Governors, wrote to parents saying: “As most of you know she came to work at JFS at a difficult time when rapid and significant change was needed.  Over the last 5 terms, together with the staff, she achieved that and much more.   JFS is a different and far better school than it was and she is leaving knowing that those goals were achieved and exceeded.”

Praising her “leadership and commitment” for the improved results, the school thanked Lipkin for her work.

The Governing Body of the school also announced that the appointment of a permanent Headteacher was approved and ratified unanimously this week.

“The new headteacher will take up their position in the very near future and until then Simon Appleman will continue as Acting Headteacher.”