JFS has appointed a permanent headteacher who will take up his position next week.

David Moody was principal of the Harris Academy in Battersea for five years and since 2019 oversaw 10 secondary schoools as regional director for the Academies Enterprise Trust (AET).

The school has been under interim leadership since the departure of Rachel Fink at the end of May ahead of the release of a critical Ofsted report that downgraded it to “inadequate”.

As a result of the report, the school was placed under special measures and must now become part of an academy trust. It is widely expected to join the United Synagogue-founded Jewish Community Academy Trust.

Governors have broken with long-standing tradition in choosing a permanent head who comes from outside the Jewish community.

Andrew Moss, chairman of JFS governors, said that while Dr Moody was at Battersea, the school rose from special measures to “outstanding” status and was named the Evening Standard’s school of the year three years ago.

“The interview panel was also deeply impressed with Dr Moody’s knowledge and expertise relating to the welfare and personal development of students and was unanimous in supporting this appointment.” Mr Moss said.

He was "eager to learn what JFS means to the families who entrust their children to it and of the hopes that they have for our school.”

The project-based nature of his work with the AET has enabled him to start quickly.

Mr Moss said  “the governing Board are aware of the significant difficulties and turmoil this year. We are hugely proud of our enormously committed staff team for all that they have done for our school and young people.  We are excited about what this appointment signals for the school’s future and the wider community.”