Haberdashers’ Aske’s Girls’ sixth-form head Patrick Moriarty has been appointed deputy head of JCoSS, the Jewish Community Secondary School opening in Barnet next September. He starts his duties in January.

Prior to joining Haberdashers — where he also co-ordinated the programme for gifted students — Mr Moriarty, 43, taught at voluntary aided schools including the highly regarded Latymer in Edmonton.

The opportunity to join the JCoSS team “was too good to miss”, he said. “The challenge of helping develop any new school would be exciting enough. But JCoSS offers more — outstanding facilities and the support of parents and governors with a commitment to a project which goes beyond the creation of a school to the transformation of the community.”

Mr Moriarty will work alongside JCoSS head Jeremy Stowe-Lindner to manage and develop the curriculum and oversee the pastoral development programme. Mr Stowe-Lindner said that his deputy “brings experience of stretching the most gifted and talented students to make the very most of their abilities”.