28 Day Statutory Notice Period - Expansion of Ickburgh School

Proposal to expand Ickburgh School to provide additional places for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) 

This proposal constitutes a prescribed alteration under the School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2013, specifically the expansion of Ickburgh School to operate across a split site. The proposed expansion would take effect in September 2027 (subject to change).

Hackney Council proposes to expand Ickburgh School by establishing a split site at the former Baden Powell Primary School, located at Ferron Road, E5 8DN. This new site would offer places for 48 children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), providing access to tailored support closer to home.

There will be no changes to the existing Ickburgh School site at Kenworthy Road, E9 5RB.

Hackney Council is committed to providing excellent education and support for all children in our community. Our vision is to deliver an inclusive, equitable, and high-quality local experience for all Hackney children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Our SEND Strategy 2022-2025 identified the need to increase local special school provision. This will allow more children and young people to attend schools within their own communities, reducing the need for long-distance travel to out-of-borough placements.

This proposal was published on 6 November 2025. Within four weeks of the date of publication of this proposal, any person may object to or make comments on the proposal by:

• completing the online comments form below
• emailing: schoolplaceplanning@hackney.gov.uk
• writing to:
  School Place Planning Team,
  Hackney Council,
  Hackney Service Centre,
  1 Hillman Street,
  London E8 1DY

The closing date for receipt of responses to the representation period is 3 December 2025 at 5pm. The Council’s Education leadership team will meet after the end of the representation period, in December 2025, to take the final decision on the proposal. The final decision will be made by Hackney Council in accordance with its statutory duties and governance procedures.

This notice is an extract from the Full Statutory Proposal. 

If you require a paper copy of this notice, or the notice in an alternative format, please contact us via email at: schoolplaceplanning@hackney.gov.uk. 

Jason Marantz

Director of Education and Inclusion
London Borough of Hackney

Publication date: 6 November 2025

Full Statutory Proposal to expand Ickburgh School to provide additional places for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) 

1. Contact details (name and address of the proposer): 

Hackney Council
Hackney Service Centre
1 Hillman Street
London E8 1DY

Tel: 020 8356 3000 
Email: schoolplaceplanning@hackney.gov.uk

Name, address and category of school to be expanded:

Ickburgh School (special school) 
Kenworthy Road
London E9 5RB

Tel: 020 8806 4638
Email: admin@ickburgh.hackney.sch.uk

2. Implementation

If the proposal is agreed, the Council plans to undertake the detailed design and procure a contractor by April 2026. Building works are planned to start in May 2026 with a view to delivering the facilities for the site by September 2027 (subject to further surveys, detailed design, planning and procurement). 

Pressure in the construction market and unknowns on the site may create some challenges in achieving this project within the existing budget and expected programme. If the planned timescales are not achievable, the opening of the new provision may need to be reviewed or postponed. 

3. Reason for expansion of the school 

Our SEND Strategy 2022-2025 identified a requirement to increase local special provision over the next few years, allowing more children and young people to attend schools within their own communities rather than travelling long distances to special schools outside Hackney and Independent placements. The financial benefits associated with this expansion are provided below under ‘Project costs and funding’. 

4. Objectives

The additional places would allow Hackney families access to the support their child needs closer to home with a reduced home to school travel burden, potentially leading to improved energy levels and attendance, and ultimately better educational outcomes.  

We anticipate that by expanding local provision, this proposal significantly increases parental choice, allowing more Hackney families to access the specialised education  their children need within their own communities, rather than relying on out-of-borough placements. This not only eases the logistical and emotional burden on families but also ensures that children can remain connected to their local support networks, fostering a more stable and effective learning environment.

We are not proposing any change to the current Ickburgh School site on Kenworthy Road, E9 5RB.

5. Project costs and funding

The funding for refurbishment of and alterations to the former Baden Powell school building will come from the SEN Special Provision Capital Fund. The school will continue to receive its regular place funding. Expanding Ickburgh School to a split site is a strategic investment that will deliver long-term value for money by significantly reducing the reliance on expensive independent placements. 

By providing an additional 48 places within one of our existing locally maintained special schools this expansion will decrease the Council’s reliance on more expensive out-of-borough or independent school placements and create local employment opportunities. It will also reduce the need for our children to face long-distance travel to out-of-borough provision, which can incur substantial transport costs for the Council.

6. Impact on other educational institutions in the area

Ickburgh School is unique within Hackney, as it is the sole institution providing education for children and young people with profound and multiple learning difficulties, severe autism, and physical disabilities. The proposed expansion of the school is not anticipated to have any adverse effects on other special educational institutions within the borough.

7. Rural primary schools 

Not applicable.

8. Balance of denominational provision

Not applicable. 

9. Maintained nursery schools 

Not applicable. 

10. Sixth form provision 

Not applicable. 

11. Special Educational Needs Provision 

Ickburgh School caters for pupils who have an education, health and care plan (EHCP) and special educational needs and/or disabilities. It addresses a wide range of needs including profound and multiple learning difficulties and severe autism, as well as needs related to cognition and learning, communication and interaction, physical and sensory needs, and additional social, emotional, and mental health needs.

The Council understands that a change of circumstances for pupils with SEND can often be challenging and require additional support to ensure a successful transition. Ickburgh School staff, together with officers from the Council’s SEND team, will work together to support all children at Ickburgh School.  

12. Travel 

All pupils attending Ickburgh School will be supported by the Council’s Home to School Travel Assistance Policy, which outlines eligibility and provisions for school travel. Further information about SEND transport can be found at the Council’s Local Offer page.

13. Procedure for making representations (objections and comments) 

Within four weeks from the date of publication of this proposal, any person may object to or make comments on the proposal by:

• completing the comments form below 
• emailing: schoolplaceplanning@hackney.gov.uk, or
• writing to: 
  School Place Planning Team
  Hackney Council
  Hackney Service Centre
  1 Hillman Street
  London
  E8 1DY

The closing date for responses to be received is 3 December 2025 at 5pm.

How would the two sites operate?

Our priority is to create an excellent and seamless learning environment for every child and young person across both sites. We are actively developing a detailed plan to ensure smooth operations between the current and proposed split site. We will share more information with you in the coming months.

How would facilities be used across the two sites?

We are working to ensure that all children and young people have access to the best possible resources, including playgrounds and other facilities that could be shared. As our plans develop, we will provide more specific details on how we intend to maximise the use of all available resources across both locations to benefit every child’s learning and wellbeing.

How would whole-school activities be managed?

We would develop plans to ensure that all children and young people feel connected and included at both sites, such as alternating assemblies or arranging travel for shared activities.

How would the new site be used?

No decisions have yet been made about which children or young people would attend the proposed additional site. We will communicate the plans as they are developed.

What governance, leadership and management arrangements will be put in place to oversee the new site?

We are considering the best staffing arrangements for the expanded school, including:

• Appointing a Lead Teacher for the new site.
• Ensuring a seamless working arrangement for staff across both sites.
• Providing induction for new staff members.

The Council and School will continue to work together to refine the details of how this can work best for all.

What would the admission arrangements be?

Admissions to Ickburgh School will continue to be decided by the Council’s Education, Health and Care Panel.

Would the increased size of the school affect the individual attention my child receives?

The proposed expansion of Ickburgh would not adversely affect the individualised attention and teaching that children and young people receive, due to their specific and complex needs. All children and young people would continue to receive a high staff-to-pupil ratio, ensuring that their individual learning goals and support requirements are fully met, regardless of the school’s size.

Would this impact existing SEND providers in the borough?

Ickburgh is the only school in Hackney providing education for children and young people with profound and multiple learning difficulties and severe autism. No other SEND schools in Hackney will be adversely affected by the proposed expansion of the school. 

How will this be funded?

The funding for refurbishment of and alterations to the former Baden Powell school building will come from the SEN Special Provision Capital Fund. The school will continue to receive its regular pupil place funding.