Susy Stone, headteacher of Akiva Primary School in Finchley, is to retire at the end of the summer term in 2019 after more than 10 years in charge of the country’s only designated Progressive school.

Kate Daniels, its chairman of governors, told parents that Mrs Stone had been “an outstanding leader of Akiva, which has gone from strength to strength under her care. She will be sorely missed.”

Acting assistant head Rohan Plunkett will become deputy head as Eloise Tobe goes on maternity leave.

After 17 years as a headteacher in all – she was previously head at Bell Lane Primary in Hendon – Mrs Stone said, “the decision to retire from leading the remarkable Akiva community has been one of the hardest I have ever had to make.”

She was appointed by Akiva in March 2008 shortly after the school was granted state aid, enabling it to expand to two forms of entry.

Despite the increase, it has remained one of the most oversubscribed primaries in London with more than three applicants per place this year.

It has consistently been one of the best-performing primaries at Sats test, ranking second among Jewish primaries in the state sector last year.