Rachel Barbanel, deputy head of Beit Shvidler Primary in Edgware for the past four years, is to be the new head of Sacks Morasha Primary in North Finchley.

She will take up the position in the summer term, succeeding Hayley Gross who is moving to the headship of Hasmonean Primary in Hendon in January after leading Sacks Morasha since its opening in 2008.

Jeremy Newman, chair of Sacks Morasha trustees said he was “delighted that we have identified such an excellent, and promising new headteacher.  Everyone who has met Mrs Barbanel is confident that she will build on the school's existing strengths and address
those areas that would benefit from improvement.”

Zoe Silverman, the school’s chair of governors, said, “We are incredibly fortunate that Mrs Barbanel will be joining us”.

Rabbi Joel Sager, the headteacher of Pardes Primary in Finchley, will act as interim head of Sacks Morasha next term.

Mrs Barbanel said she was “delighted to be joining the thriving community and team at Sacks Morasha" and looked forward to leading the school "into a new and exciting era. It is an honour to continue my commitment to developing Jewish primary education within this remarkable school”.