King Solomon High head teacher steps down
Michele Phillips will 'move onto new opportunities within education' after less than three years at Redbridge school
The headteacher of Essex’s only Jewish secondary school, King Solomon High, is stepping down after less than three years in post, Jewish News can reveal.
A 31st March letter sent to parents and carers by the Redbridge institution’s chair of governors, said Michele Phillips had made the decision “that now is the right time to move onto new opportunities within education” and her last day at King Solomon High School will be Friday 15 May 2026.
Phillips joined the school in September 2023 and oversaw improvements to the school environment and infrastructure, including the creation of a new library.
The governing board adds that under her leadership, the school has “continued to build on its academic performance, particularly within the Sixth Form, where outcomes significantly improved” and would like to thank Phillips” for the energy, dedication, hard work, and expertise she has brought to the role.”
In her own statement, Michele Phillips said: “Now is the right time to step away from my role as head teacher at King Solomon High School. The school community is wonderful and I would like to thank the staff, senior leadership team, governors and parents for their support as we worked together to demonstrably improve the school. The pupils, both former and present, are what make the school and I have no doubt they will build on the platform created by our collective efforts to further improve the school.”
The governing board is expected to update parents and carers on details of interim leadership arrangements and the next steps for the school.
King Solomon High School was judged to be ‘Requires Improvement’ in November 2021 and in July 2024, the paused sixth form enrolment amidst a national staffing crisis.
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