Hackney,
12
December
2017
|
10:11
Europe/London

Cabinet to discuss plans to form new Hackney Schools Group

Hackney Town Hall

Hackney Council has announced proposals to work with schools to form a new Schools Group - aimed at boosting the continued improvement of the borough’s schools.

The Hackney Schools Group would be an independent body led by schools, but maintained by and accountable to the Council. It would see schools across the borough work together formally to provide the leadership, challenge and support necessary to improve schools. Full details of the role and responsibilities of the Group will be co-produced with schools, who will lead the Group, with oversight and support from the Council.

It is thought that working in this way would provide schools with more financial security, help to promote the values of Hackney’s existing family of schools, and enable schools to work together and with the Council to promote continued improvement for all of our pupils.

The Schools Group would be a legal entity with its own board, however individual schools would retain their own governing bodies and autonomy. 

The proposals are being considered in response to feedback from headteachers and governing bodies, concerned about the impact of Government education reform. It follows the Hackney Schools For Everyone consultation, which found that residents were concerned about forced academisation and selection based on academic ability and that they wanted the Council to retain its role in education.

The idea will be discussed at a meeting of the Council’s Cabinet on 18 December. If it gets the go ahead, further discussions will take place with schools and governing bodies to gauge their interest in the idea, before they start working together to develop the proposal. These details will then be shared with residents, who will have the opportunity to find out more and share their thoughts.

The Cabinet report is available on the Council’s website.

Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, Deputy Mayor of Hackney
I’m pleased to be able to share these initial proposals, which we think offer an exciting opportunity for our schools to formalise their working relationship and continue to improve outcomes for every child in the borough.

We want to find a way to maintain the continued improvement of educational performance and pupil outcomes, and help our schools to remain maintained and accountable to the local authority, so that we can continue to build on our success together.

If Cabinet approves the proposals, the Council will begin an intensive engagement programme, initially with headteachers and governors, and then with residents. This is a fantastic opportunity, and we want schools, parents and residents to play a role in shaping this important proposal for the future of education in Hackney.
Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, Deputy Mayor of Hackney