Simon Marks Jewish Primary School has announced a new leadership team in the week of a “good” inspection rating from Ofsted.

Gulcan Metin will start her duties as head of the Stoke Newington school in September. She previously led another local primary, Southwold, which was rated good to outstanding in every category by Oftsed.

Also coming on board as Jewish studies head is Yolande Pieters, the co-director of education at Partnerships for Jewish Schools.  Ms Pieters fronted the development of the Pathways to Hashem prayer curriculum used by Jewish schools in the UK, Australia and South Africa. She also lectures on the BA course in Jewish education at the London School of Jewish Studies.

Oftsed found “consistently good” teaching at Simon Marks and that “pupils achieve well”. The inspectors added that “pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is promoted extremely well and is a key strength of the school”. 

Governors’ chair Howard Pallis said the report reflected “a genuine, close-knit community where children learn and grow together”.

He was thrilled by the appointment of Ms Metin and Ms Pieters — “exceptional educators with a compelling vision for the school”.

Mr Pallis also praised acting head Lisa Campbell and her deputy Debra Crouch. Their “hard work and focus on advancing Simon Marks has been extraordinary”.