JFS Headteacher Jonathan Miller will be taking a “leave of absence” from the school, according to its chair of governors.

In a letter sent to parents on Wednesday, Steven Woolf said the head “will not be dealing with school matters for the next few weeks”.

In his absence, Mr Woolf said, a consultant headteacher who works with Brent Council, Debby Lipkin, will be joining to run the school alongside deputy headteacher Simon Appleman, who will now be acting head of the school.

Mr Woolf continued: “The governors and I have full confidence in Mrs Lipkin and Mr Appleman to lead the school at this important time, and they will be working with the full authority of the governors to move the school forward, prepare students for this summer’s examinations and, beyond that, plan for the next academic year.

“As ever, I am grateful to all parents for the support that they provide for the school and offer the reassurance that it is very much ‘business as usual’”.

JFS is currently broken up for Pesach; students will return on May 4.