Governors of Kantor King Solomon High School in Redbridge hope to update parents “in the next few weeks” about headteacher Matthew Slater, who has been absent for six months.

Mr Slater, who joined the state-aided United Synagogue school three years ago, has been on leave in unexplained circumstances since almost the beginning of the new school year.

Richard Burack, co-chairman of governors, said this week, “We realise the length of time this personal and confidential issue has 
been running for and I hope we will have something to inform parents, staff [and] the community in the next few weeks.”

Hannele Reece, Mr Slater’s deputy, has taken charge as interim head.

“From the govenors’ perspective, the school has been running smoothly and [it] has certainly been business as usual,” Mr Burack said. “Staff have been working hard and the children learning and making progress.”

Colin Stewart, head of operations for Redbridge Council, said “as with any staff absence, the individual circumstances are a confidential matter between the employee and the school”.

KKS, he added, had made “appropriate and effective interim leadership arrangements while the headteacher is absent and, as a local authority, we have continued to support the school’s interim leadership and monitor the quality of provision for students.

“As a result, we remain confident that the school has sustained its trajectory as a good and improving school.”