JFS has announced it is to end the interim arrangement which has seen the school run jointly by an executive head and an acting head.

In a letter sent to parents, Geraldine Fainer, chair of governors, said the dual role would be replaced by a single head teacher.

The post will be advertised in "open competition", Mrs Fainer said.

Debby Lipkin, a consultant headteacher who works with Brent Council, was brought in last year to run the north-west London school alongside deputy headteacher Simon Appleman, who took over as acting head afterJonathan Miller resigned from the job.

Mrs Fainer wrote: “We are delighted to report that the school has achieved phenomenal success over the last 12 months culminating in the recent outstanding exam results.

“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.

“We firmly believe that these foundations have now successfully been laid.”The school has appointed a team of experts to help in the search for a new head.

Mrs Fainer said: “We are delighted that the team will be led by Dr Chris Ray the former head of Manchester Grammar School.

“He will be joined by Dr Helen Wright, Mr Durell Barnes and Mr Paul Spillane, all experienced educationalists. Together they will be assisting the Governing Body in their search for potential candidates to fill the post.”

A meeting with parents is to be held on September 25 to discuss the new appointment.

She also announced the appointment of two vice-chairs to the school's governing body.

 Michael Goldmeier, who had been acting vice-chair last term, is to be joined by Andrew Moss.