A Londoner who has been teaching in New York will be the first head of the cross-communal Haringey Jewish Primary, one of the new government-funded free schools, which is set to open next September.
Joint project leader Peter Kessler says Jo Sassienie was chosen for her "innovative attitude, her deep commitment to cross-communal Jewish education and her outstanding track record".
Ms Sassienie moved to America after working on the senior management team of Thornhill Primary in Islington. In Manhattan she was principal of Beit Rabban Day School, which grew from 30 to 100-plus children during her eight years in charge. She is also educational consultant at the Hebrew Charter School Centre in New York and lived in Israel for two years.
She will move back to the UK once the contract has been confirmed and is expected to start work in January.
"We are absolutely delighted that Jo is our head teacher designate," Mr Kessler added.
"She combines a depth of Jewish knowledge with a proven track record in running a school which, under her leadership, garnered an international reputation for excellence."
Ms Sassienie said it was "a wonderful opportunity to use my experience in leading an innovative Jewish primary".
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