Sarah Simmons has been named as the new headteacher of Rimon Jewish Primary School in Golders Green.

She will succeed Sara Keen, who will leave in April after five years a to become assistant principal of a Jewish school in New Jersey.

Kirsten Jowett, chief executive of the Jewish Community Academy Trust, who led the recruitment process, said; “Mrs Simmons brings a strong pedagogical approach to teaching and an open, supportive and developmental leadership style.

“She demonstrated a real curiosity in her approach to best practice and innovation and how to get the best out of the children and the staff, which is a priority at Rimon.”

Mrs Simmons, who will join in September, has taught for 20 years, most recently as joint head of Moriah Jewish Day School in Pinner which she is leading through its prospective merger with another JCAT member, Hertsmere Jewish Day School in Radlett .For the past five years, she has led the highly regarded Schools Direct training programme from Wolfson Hillel in Southgate, training more than 50 teachers for schools across the community.

She is also an English moderator for Sats in Barnet.

Rimon’s deputy head Jane Elliot will be acting head during the summer term.

Rimon’s chair of governors Suzanne Tager paid tribute to Ms Keen for “the fantastic things she has achieved. We are confident that Sarah Simmons will be able to build on the strong foundations and wonderful ethos that we are all so proud of.”

Mrs Simmons said she was “excited to become part of such a thriving and positive school community”.