About the board
The Hackney Schools Group Board (HSGB) plays an important role in the strategic direction for Hackney education. We want to see the Hackney family of schools continue to work together, developing the best possible provision for all our children and young people.
The board brings together representatives from schools across the borough, as well as independent experts, to provide a long term steer to system and school improvement in Hackney.
It acts as an advisory board to the Director of Education, involving a broad range of voices and opinions in shaping improvement in education. It involves headteachers in steering local policy, and facilitates schools and professionals working closely together to share and grow expertise.
Members of the board
The make-up of the board is:
- 3 Headteachers (from any Hackney school or academy)
- 2 Chairs of Governors (from any Hackney school or academy)
- 4-6 independent experts
- Lead Member for Education (London Borough of Hackney)
- One other Councillor (appointed by the Mayor of Hackney)
- Director of Education (Hackney Education)
- Group Director Children, Adults and Community Health (Hackney Council)
Chair
Marisa Childs was appointed the Chair of Hackney Schools Group Board in November 2022, after the Board completed its first term of 3 years.
Marisa was born and bred in Hackney. She has valuable lived experience she brings to the Board, as well as a great passion for improving the educational experience of children in Hackney.
Marisa has a background in the fashion industry and has worked at a director level. She has led teams in both luxury and high street retail. In addition, her skill set ranges from coaching, leadership, strategy and project management. Marisa became a governor of a local school in November 2015 and was appointed Chair in January 2017. She is currently on the governing board of Mossbourne Victoria Park.
Marisa says:
“Being born and bred in this great borough, my hopes for the Hackney Schools Group Board is that all children continue to access the very best education, regardless of their starting point and in particular the most vulnerable both socially and economically are able to thrive and achieve their very best independently to have an equal opportunity in life.”
Board activities
Panels
In July and August 2020, The HSGB Panel, Belonging for All, carried out two very important pieces of work:
- Leading in a New Era, a research work with 6 Headteachers of Hackney Schools, led by Professor Kathryn Riley. The project explored aspects of their leadership approach, their responses to lockdown and reflecting on the implications for the future of school leadership.
- Listening to Parents and Carers Talking about Race - The Chair of the HSGB and Co-Chairs of the Belonging Panel carried out parental engagement sessions with 6 volunteer schools in Hackney. The conversations on race and racism resulted in parents speaking openly about their and their children's experiences. The sessions also provided a new way for the schools to engage with their parents.
Seminars
The Board will hold a series of seminars that are designed to be thought provoking, uplifting and focused on generating ideas.
- Headteacher seminar, 13 May 2021. Anthony Anaxagorou, poet and performer, spoke about his thoughts on race and belonging. Watch his discussion and performance and view the seminar resources.
Programmes on belonging
The Hackney Schools Group Board Belonging Panel launched two programmes for Hackney schools in 2021:
- Talking to parents about race
These sessions discuss the topic of race and belonging in schools. You can read the previous programme findings.
- Creating the conditions for school belonging
This programme helps teachers and pupils from 20 schools develop the skills to research the topic of belonging in the classroom.
Find out more information in the Board newsletter.