Hasmo head to take over at JFS
RACHEL FINK, head of Hasmonean Girls School, has been named as the new headteacher of JFS.
She will take over in May next year. Until then, Simon Appleman, acting headteacher since last May, will continue in the role.
JFS’ executive head Deborah Lipkin, a turnaround specialist who was drafted in last year, left the school this week.
Mrs Fink, a former JFS headgirl, said the job was “a big honour” and a “very exciting challenge”. She said: “I feel very privileged to have been entrusted with this role. I went to JFS as a student; I don’t think many people get the opportunity to lead the school where they were once students”
She is a chemistry graduate from University College London, who holds a MA in Jewish studies from Kings College London. She spent 10 years in Israel where she taught sciencel. She is also a graduate of Cambridge University’s CoExist interfaith programme.
She said she had mixed emotions about leaving Hasmonean, where she has spent 16 years, the last seven as headteacher.
“I was living in Israel before, so I came to Hasmonean really not knowing what the British school system was like. They welcomed me and supported me every step of my career. It is a wonderful place to work and a real family. And I’ve learned a great deal about teaching and leadership.” Hasmonean was rated as outstanding in every category at its last Ofsted inspection in 2012. Geraldine Fainer, chair of JFS governors, said that more than 100 applicants had been considered for the post. “Rachel emerged as the outstanding candidate,” she said.
JFS, in Kenton, North-West London, is Europe’s largest Jewish school with more than 2,000 pupils.