A top performing Jewish primary school has appointed a new head.

Chaya Posen will, in January, leave her current post as deputy head of the Torah Temimah School in Dollis Hill to join Noam Primary in Wembley, which has topped SAT league tables and has been named among the capital’s best 100 schools.

Mrs Posen, 37, holds a diploma in psychology and has been a borough-wide school moderator for Barnet Council.

Founded by parents in 2000 in response to a shortage of school places, Noam is based in Wembley United Synagogue’s building.

Negotiations with Barnet Council are continuing over its bid to enter the state sector.

“I fully support the ambitions of Noam in applying for state aid and welcome this challenge,” she said. “I also subscribe to the value of maintaining a high standard in Torah and secular education. The two can and must work in perfect harmony.”

Governors’ chair Shelley Kelaty said Mrs Posen had been a unanimous choice to succeed Sarah Simmonds, who is retiring after guiding Noam to “outstanding heights”.