Sacks Morasha is very fortunate to have experienced and dynamic teachers leading the school.
Headteacher – Mrs Hayley Gross
Mrs Gross was originally a qualified solicitor in the City before changing career to teaching in 1999. She joined Sacks Morasha at its inception in 2008 and ran a successful, integrated Reception class, leading to an award of an outstanding Early Years in the school’s inaugural Ofsted. Mrs Gross was appointed our first Head Teacher in 2011 and oversees both Chol and Kodesh, ensuring high standards of teaching, attainment and progress across the entire curriculum. Mrs Gross has a hands-on approach to the school. She can often be found supporting teachers in the classroom and is very approachable to all pupils in the school. Mrs Gross takes pride in knowing all the children and ensuring that they thrive in all areas of school life, both academically and socially.
Deputy Headteacher / Head of Kodesh – Mr Justin Kett
Mr Kett joined Sacks Morasha in January 2014. As Head of Kodesh, he leads our Kodesh Team and is responsible for the Kodesh curriculum, as well as teaching Years 5 and 6. His role as Deputy Head covers a range of whole school responsibilities including Pastoral Lead, Y6 Post-SATs activities and secondary transition. Mr Kett is responsible for, amongst other things, organising residential trips for our older classes, liaising with Jewish secondary schools for a successful school transfer, leading our choir and arranging a Shabbaton.
Mr Kett is responsible for ensuring that our children understand and learn our Jewish culture and values, and that they not only develop a love for Judaism but embrace the customs and traditions that make Judaism so unique and special.
He was educated at JFS before completing a BSc (Hons) in Business Studies with Law at Salford University. A background in Bnei Akiva and Camp Morasha (in Pennsylvania, USA) led him to choose the AJE’s (now LSJS) SCITT course as an entry point into primary education. He loves to learn and teaches to learn from our wonderful pupils.
EYFS/KS1 Phase Leader – Mrs Dena Shmuel
Mrs Shmuel is thrilled to be joining the wonderful Sacks Morasha team. She is an experienced teacher, having taught across all year groups. She will be working closely with the rest of the leadership team to oversee all the teaching and learning in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. Mrs Shmuel uses her vast knowledge of the curriculum to support her team and ensures all pupils are learning in an engaging and inclusive environment.
Mrs Shmuel is incredibly passionate about teaching and loves to inspire and engage all pupils. She has an enthusiasm for pastoral care and ensures that the physical and emotional well-being of every team member is supported. She is our joint Designated Safeguarding Lead and is also a moderator for Key Stage 1.
SENDCo – Mrs Nikki Hersh
Mrs Hersh joined the school September 2017. She is the SENDCo and works closely with all class teachers and teaching assistants as well as all of Senior Leadership Team. Mrs Hersh has taught in a range of year groups as well as work in small and 1:1 groups. She has had training in teaching different techniques to help all children access all areas of the curriculum. Throughout her teaching career she has been in charge of setting up and leading different fine and gross motor groups and training other members of staff.
Mrs Hersh holds a degree in Politics from Queen Mary University, and QTS after doing GTP at Herstmere Jewish Primary School. She has mentored trainee teachers in various year groups as well as train teaching assistants in the classroom.
We are fortunate that Mrs Hersh will be teaching Kodesh in Reception this year.