Beyond outstanding: Hackney’s new education priorities focus on equity and inclusion for all children

Hackney has approved this week its most ambitious Education Strategic Plan yet, directly tackling systemic barriers and complex challenges to build a more inclusive education offer for all. 

The plan outlines the priorities of the next three years, building upon the borough's outstanding educational success, while addressing modern challenges, so that all children and young people have the opportunity to thrive.

Alongside the plan, Cabinet has approved a dedicated new Hackney Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Inclusion 3 Year Strategy, which expands and further outlines the commitment to inclusive education. This dedicated strategy will help ensure the council provides the right support, in the right place, at the right time to meet the increasing and complex needs of pupils, recognising the role of parents and carers as key partners in the provision of services.

Background

Hackney’s education system has greatly improved over the last two decades, from being one of the lowest performing boroughs, to one of the best. In the 1990s, almost half of the lessons observed were unsatisfactory. Now, Hackney’s maintained schools are all rated good or better by Ofsted, with pupils performing significantly better than the national average: last year Hackney pupils ranked joint first in the country in their Year 6 exams. 

Like many other local authorities, the borough is also facing significant challenges, including an increasing complexity of need, financial pressures, and falling rolls. 

The strategic plan was developed in response to these challenges, following extensive consultation with schools, families, and community partners. 

Five key priorities 

The plan focuses on five key priorities:

• Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and inclusion: working with partners to move beyond crisis management to early, strategic intervention and sustainable support.
• Alternative learning provision: developing a three-tiered support model to reduce exclusions, promote inclusive practice, and ensure all pupils receive the appropriate support in the right setting.
• Strength and sustainability: ensuring the family of schools, children’s centres, and settings are strong, financially viable, and flexible enough to adapt to the borough's changing population.
• Sustainable school improvement: maintaining Hackney’s high outcomes while placing the child’s wellbeing first, strengthening collaboration and sharing best practice across all settings.
• Equity for children and families: actively dismantling systemic barriers and dedicating support to children from the Black Caribbean, Turkish, Kurdish, and Charedi communities.

"Education is the heart of a flourishing society. Our new education strategic plan focuses on our fundamental objective: to offer better opportunities for every child and young person in Hackney to thrive and be happy. 

“By working together with our family of schools, parents, carers and partners, we will sustain our high-achieving model and continue to build a stronger, more resilient community."

Cllr Antoinnette Bramble, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Young People