Urswick 18052023 005

Welcome from the Headteacher

I am delighted to welcome you to the website of The Urswick School, a mixed secondary school located in the heart of Hackney. We are one of the oldest schools in England having recently celebrated our 500th anniversary.

In 1520 Christopher Urswick, Rector of Hackney, set up a free school in his Rectory on the site of what is now a public house on Mare Street. The original school taught 12 ‘poor boys to learn and read’. The school was known for centuries as Hackney Free and Parochial and eventually settled on a single site in Paragon Road where we are located today.

Our school has expanded and now offers 180 places in Year 7 to 11 and has a highly successful Sixth Form. In September 2011 we re-named the school in honour of our Founder Christopher Urswick. We are proud of our history and continue to provide education consistent with Christian teaching. Our Mission Statement ‘Believe and Achieve’ promotes our high aspirations for all our learners of whatever background or faith. We are a Christian school not just a school for Christians.

I have been Headteacher of the school for 15 years. During that time the DFE have named Urswick as one of the Top 100 most improved schools nationwide, we were invited to join the London Mayors’ Gold Club and our building won the Hackney Design Awards People’s Choice Winner. We have been awarded Artsmark Platinum by Arts Council England in recognition of the excellence of our provision in the Arts. We are an Educate and Celebrate best practice school.

“I have already recommended The Urswick School to friends, family and other parents of Year 6 children. Keep up the excellent work.”

Parent of a Year 7 child writing in November 2019.

Our latest OFSTED Inspection confirmed the Judgement of Good with Outstanding features. The Leadership and Management of the school has been regularly Judged to be Outstanding by OFSTED.

In October 2021 Urswick achieved the highest grade, Excellent, in an Inspection by the National Society – who regulate Church of England Schools. The report describes the school as ‘truly transformational’ and states ‘There is a strong sense that this is a family. The Urswick School is a loving and inclusive community where diversity is celebrated widely. Staff and pupils are richly nurtured and encouraged so they flourish abundantly’.

https://www.theurswickschool.co.uk/71/siams-report

If you are looking to educate your child in a caring environment focused on achievement, then come to The Urswick School. We have an excellent staff team, with very low staff turnover. In July 2019 not a single permanent teacher left the school – an exceptional thing for an Inner London school to be able to state. OFSTED praised the ‘exemplary’ behaviour of our students, and reported how rare incidents of bullying are effectively dealt with by the school. In a survey of Year 7 parents in 2019, 98.5% agree with the statement ‘My Child Enjoys School’. 96% agreed, ‘I feel my child is safe and well cared for at school.’

If you currently have a child in Year 5 and 6 at primary school, I hope very much you will visit our school to find out more. I look forward to meeting you in the future.

Richard Brown B.ED (Hons) NPQH

Executive Headteacher

Headteacher's Surgery

Headteacher’s Surgery

All parents / carers are welcome to speak to me during Headteacher's Surgery on Mondays from 3.00pm to 4.30pm during term time. Please contact the school to arrange a telephone call back.

Please note: Mr Brown and other Urswick staff will not meet education advocates, solicitors or any other professional adult accompanying parents unless this is by prior arrangement and the request has been made in writing. Parents are most welcome to bring a translator or a family member or friend to support you.

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