Deborah Lipkin, the executive headteacher of JFS, is to leave at the end of term, parents have been told.

Ms Lipkin, a turnaround specialist, was drafted in last year to improve the fortunes of the school after a critical Ofsted report.

Geraldine Fainer, the chairman of governors, said: “As most of you know she came to work at JFS at a difficult time when rapid and significant change was needed. Over the last five terms, together with the staff, she achieved that and much more.   

“JFS is a different and far better school than it was and she is leaving knowing that those goals were achieved and exceeded.”

Acting headteacher Simon Appleman will continue in that role until the new permanent headteacher  - selected yesterday – arrives. 

“The successful candidate needs to inform their own school and governing body before we are in a position to make their identity public,” Mrs Fainer explained.