The Jewish Community Secondary School in East Barnet has appointed acting head teacher Patrick Moriarty as its new head.

A former head of sixth form at Haberdashers’ Aske’s Girls School, he joined JCoSS as deputy head in advance of its opening in September 2010.

Chairman of governors Mike Grabiner said: “Patrick will be an outstanding head teacher and will provide excellent leadership and continuity, with a strong commitment to our ethos.”

Mr Moriarty has been acting head since the autumn after the school’s first head, Jeremy Stowe Lindner, emigrated to Australia.