Hackney Council has approved a new education strategy aimed at promoting inclusion and addressing the needs of Black and vulnerable pupils in local schools. On December 15, 2023, the council confirmed its commitment to developing a “child-centred and anti-racist” approach, following consultations that revealed concerning trends in school exclusions and treatment of students.
The council’s strategy emerges from a series of discussions held earlier this year, in which stakeholders, including the NHS partnership of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), highlighted the disproportionate impact of exclusion on Black children and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). They urged the council to adopt clearer language in its policies to avoid “race-evasive” terms and to ensure transparency regarding the issues faced by these groups.
A key element of the new strategy is the introduction of a diverse curriculum designed to provide a “rich and balanced” educational experience that reflects the community’s multicultural makeup. Additionally, the council plans to enhance support services for pupils with complex SEND, addressing the increasing numbers of students requiring specialized assistance.
Addressing School Exclusions and Disciplinary Practices
Historically, school exclusion rates in Hackney have been higher than the London average. In response, the council has undertaken a review of behaviour policies in local schools since February 2023. Concerns raised by youth organisations in July indicated that some disciplinary practices in schools were damaging to children and, in some instances, perpetuated racial biases.
Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, Hackney’s education chief, expressed the council’s determination to eliminate practices that are harmful to students. “Our community is telling us: this is not right,” she stated during the Cabinet meeting. The council’s approach aims to foster a safe educational environment where all children are respected and protected.
Hugh Viney, Head of Remote Learning at Minerva Virtual Academy, praised the strategy, emphasizing the need for flexible educational settings that prioritize wellbeing. “At its most basic level, school should be a safe place—one where children are protected, respected, and free from harm,” he remarked.
The timing of the strategy is particularly significant, coinciding with the findings of a safeguarding investigation into Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy (MVPA). This review, led by Hackney’s former Director of Children’s Services, revealed that the school’s strict disciplinary culture had harmed vulnerable students. Complaints about public humiliation and inadequate support for pupils with SEND were substantiated in the investigation.
Collaboration and Accountability for Education
MVPA operates under a multi-academy trust that is not controlled by the local authority, raising questions about accountability. Cllr Bramble noted that while schools have the freedom to set their own policies, they must adhere to the Department for Education’s guidance. When asked if MVPA should adopt the council’s new strategy voluntarily, she emphasized the shared goal among all educational institutions in Hackney to address systemic barriers.
“We will continue to build our partnership with all of our schools and settings, regardless of school type, so that we can develop a stronger educational offer that fully responds to the needs of our communities,” she said.
Concerns remain regarding the clarity of accountability in the new strategy. A spokesperson for the Hackney Green Party pointed out that without explicit actions addressing exclusions and safeguarding, the cycle of harm could persist. They highlighted the need for a more detailed approach to ensure that children who “fall out” of education receive adequate support.
Despite the challenges, CAMHS Alliance noted that another school within the same multi-academy trust, Mossbourne Community Academy, has demonstrated effective collaboration with the council in supporting student mental health and wellbeing. This contrasts with the troubling findings at MVPA and reflects the potential for positive change within the educational framework of Hackney.
The council’s new strategy represents a pivotal step toward creating an inclusive and equitable educational environment for all students in Hackney, with a firm commitment to dismantling barriers that disproportionately affect Black and vulnerable pupils.
