Michael Sutton, the incoming headteacher of King David High School, Liverpool, is “absolutely” committed to maintaining its Jewish ethos.

Deputy head of the school for the past three years, he will take over in September from Brigid Smith, who is leaving after 13 years.

A practising Catholic, Mr Sutton said his own background gave him a “respect for faith. Coming here, I’ve learned a great deal about the important part that Jewish faith plays not only in the school but in the wider Jewish community in Liverpool. We are at the centre of that.

“It is crucial to make sure the Jewish pupils get as good a Jewish education and experience as we can give them.”

While the Jewish population stands at around 11 per cent, parents of non-Jewish children respect the school not only because of its educational record but “the values it represents,” he said. “We are still oversubscribed.”

King David is among England’s top five per cent of schools for academic progress made by pupils from age 11 to 16.

Children from other faiths take courses in Judaism in Year 7. The theme of assemblies throughout the school next week will be Jerusalem Day.

Mr Sutton, 45, who is from Liverpool, was previously assistant head of Birkdale, an academy in Southport, and has also held posts in Church of England and Catholic schools.