New headteacher for King Solomon High School

A Jewish secondary school in east London welcomes a new headteacher.

King Solomon High School in Redbridge has appointed Michele Phillips, formerly a deputy head teacher at a school in Enfield, the post to start in September.

Departing headteacher, Ms. Hannele Reece, will be leaving the school at the end of the summer term. She is stepping away from a long-established teaching career to focus on what the school describes as “personal goals and travelling”.

Reece has been at the school for over 20 years, first joining in 2001 and rising through the ranks to become head teacher in 2019.

The school has said: “We are very sad to see her go, and we all wish her well for her future endeavours. Hannele will be leaving the school after implementing many changes in its leadership framework, curriculum, and other improvements that have helped maintain the school as a distinguished seat of learning. We expect the exam results to be good this summer.”

With the appointment of Phillips, the governors say they “are confident that they have found the ideal candidate.”

Ms. Phillips, who is Jewish, brings “a wealth of experience to the role” and is “committed to maintaining the Jewish ethos of King Solomon High School, while also appreciating the diversity and cultural makeup of the student body.”

She has a teaching background in Religious Studies and Philosophy.

Brian Westbury, chair of governors for the school, says the governing body “looks forward to a productive and cooperative relationship with Ms. Phillips and is very excited about the future. A change in leadership will require hard work from the new head, the staff, and the governors to ensure the best education for our pupils.”