JFS head will leave next week
DEBORAH LIPKIN, executive headteacher of JFS, is to leave next week at the end of term to take up a new post, parents have been told.
A new headteacher has been approved by the governors but, at time of printing, the name had not been revealed.
Mrs Lipkin, a turnaround specialist, was drafted in last spring to improve the fortunes of the school after a critical Ofsted report. Earlier this year, it was announced she would be remaining at the school beyond August as originally designated. But the speed of her departure has taken parents by surprise. Geraldine Fainer, the chairman of governors, said: “As most of you know, she came to work at JFS at a difficult time when rapid and significant change was needed. “Over the last five terms, together with the staff, she achieved that and much more. JFS is a different and far better school than it was and she is leaving knowing that those goals were achieved and exceeded.”
The school was ranked good by Ofsted a year ago and declared record exam results this summer.
Acting headteacher Simon Appleman will continue in the same role until the new permanent headteacher — selected earlier this week — arrives.
“The successful candidate needs to inform their own school and governing body before we are in a position to make their identity public,” Mrs Fainer explained.