The search for a new headteacher at Henrietta Barnett School is set to continue as pupils returned from their summer break last week.

Oliver Blond stepped down as head of the school, in Central Square, Hampstead Garden Suburb, to start as headteacher at independent all-girls school Roedean, Brighton, this month.

The school’s governing body had hoped to appoint a successor before the end of the summer term, but are still yet to fill the vacant position.

It means acting headteacher Mandy Watts will continue to lead the school while the recruitment process continues.

Last month, Henrietta Barnett, one of the country’s leading state schools, topped the A-level and GCSE league tables for yet another year.

Year 13 pupils achieved A* or A in 77.4 per cent of A-level exams taken at the school this year, while a stunning 94.7% of GCSE entries this year were marked A* or A.