New Students

Transition to secondary school can be daunting; our current Year 7 students share their thoughts.

Reading is one of the most important aspects of primary education. Reading opens up new worlds and new possibilities; it gives us a glimpse of utopia and dystopia. It broadens our minds and provides us with new perspectives. Moreover, it allows us to access the, sometimes, complex language of exam papers. Have a look at our recommended reading list. Lots of these books are in local libraries, such as:

• Shoreditch Library: 80 Hoxton St, London N1 6LP
• Bethnal Green library: Cambridge Heath Road, London E2 0HL
• Hackney Central library: 1 Reading Lane, London E8 1GQ

Dear parents and future Haggerston students,

My name is Ms Honorio and I am the Special educational needs and disabilities coordinator at Haggerston. Hopefully you have received our SEND Transition booklet outlining what our SEND provision looks like. We’ve also sent some transitional activities that might be helpful to do during the summer holidays to get ready to start your new academic year! Parents, please rest assured that although transition has not gone according to our usual transition schedule, we will be holding SEND coffee mornings for parents within the first two weeks of September so we can get to know you and you can get to know us, in addition to the regular Y7 Information Evening that is planned as well. Year 7 will have a chance to settle in to Haggerston and they will be supported to do this by the pastoral team and Inclusion team. For more information on Haggerston’s SEND provision, please read or request our SEND Information report, which is available on our website. This document states how we identify, assess, plan and review students with additional needs and what you can expect from us to help you and your child to succeed at Haggerston. If you have any questions or would like to get in touch, please email the SENDCO email on: senco@haggerston.hackney.sch.uk

Looking forward to meeting you all, Ms Honorio.

At Haggerston School, we aim to promote positive well-being and mental health for every child, parent / carer and staff, and to recognise and respond to mental ill health early. Haggerston School aims to support and teach skills to pupils and staff to increase their awareness of emotional health and wellbeing. We pursue this aim using both universal, whole school approaches largely through our PHSCE programme, and specialised, targeted approaches aimed at identified vulnerable pupils and families.

Haggerston School is a part of Wellbeing and Mental Health in Schools (WAMHS) initiative that aims to increase early intervention and equitable access to high quality mental health interventions for children and young people, across the full range of communities represented in City and Hackney. WAMHS aims to significantly improve outcomes for children and young people through supporting partnership working across services and by building on the positive relationships between children and young people, education staff and community partners. The resources on the Well-being and Mental Health pages have been developed with input from our school WAMHS clinicians to support all our young people.

Recently the BBC has given some great guidance that we think our new students would benefit from viewing.

Students enter and leave Haggerston School through the Queensbridge Road entrance.

Nearby Transport

• Bus – 26 or 55

Other Nearby routes include: 67/149/242/243/394

• Underground – Old Street then the 55 bus

Liverpool Street (Bishopsgate exit) then the 26 bus

Bethnal Green then the 26 or 48 bus

• Overground – Hoxton

Bethnal Green then the 26 or 55 bus

Liverpool Street (Bishopsgate exit) then the 26 bus

We have a broad and balanced curriculum that includes the creative arts alongside traditional academic subjects. We have student art exhibitions / musical performances / sports events and an annual school show which is an extravaganza of talent. Have a look at the Faculty of Expressive Arts and the PE and Outdoor Education Faculty highlights below.

At Haggerston School we believe all our students have the right to explore the curriculum through the arts by experiencing, and learning to appreciate, different art forms in and out of school to understand their relevance in the wider world. The arts are grouped together as part of the Expressive Arts faculty and include Drama, Art and Design, Music and Dance. Willingness and enthusiasm to take part are as important as talent and ability with auditions for school performances are always open to all.

Click here to view our online Art Exhibition featuring work from various years to see the types of work you can look forward to doing at Haggerston

Highlights from recent drama productions

We are holding a number of Parent Transition Discussions online over the coming weeks. The online offering is replacing our usual face-to-face meetings and is a measure we are taking to protect our community from the COVID-19 pandemic. We are running these online discussions so that you have the opportunity to meet a senior member of staff and learn more about how our school runs, including our rewards and sanctions. This is an important first step in supporting your child as they begin their transition into secondary school. We will be hosting the meetings via Google Meets. You do not need a google account to join the meeting. Our new parents can join the meetings by following the link sent in the letter by our Assistant Headteacher. 

We are yet to confirm when the Hackney wide transition day is. As soon as we have confirmation that this day can take place we will be letting you know.

If you have any questions about your child’s transition into our school please don’t hesitate to drop us a line; transition@haggerston.hackney.sch.uk.

Haggerston uniform is currently only available from Cross Bow Schoolwear, 31 Broadway Market, London E8 4PH. Tel: 0207 923 9313

To qualify for this grant your child must be in Year 7 or starting Year 7 from September. You must also be in receipt of one of these benefits or tax credits:

You can apply from May onwards after you receive the secondary school offer letter from the Learning Trust’s Admissions Team.  Your application will normally be processed in May/June. The grant is £100 Clothing vouchers which can be exchanged for school uniform at London shops that take part in the scheme. A list of shops will be sent to you with the confirmation letter telling you when to collect your vouchers.

If your child currently gets free school meals at a Hackney school, you do not need to attach any proof of benefit.

You can download the form here and return the form to Pupil Benefits, Hackney Learning Trust, 1 Reading Lane, London, E8 1GQ.

Around 40% of people in Hackney are eligible for free school meals, but 1 in 5 do not apply. Once your child has a full-time school place you can apply for free school meals if you receive one the following:

Asylum seekers need to provide their IND Letter or IND Card, social services letter or their NASS letter in order to qualify for free school meals.

For more information, visit the Hackney Schools website here or complete the Free School Meals application form which can be downloaded here and return the completed form to Pupil Benefits Team, Hackney Learning Trust, 1 Reading Lane, E8 1GQ

• Valuing and nurturing your son/daughter, respecting their background and supporting his/her individual learning needs.
• Striving for excellence by setting the highest standards and highest expectations so that your son/daughter has the opportunity to succeed at school and beyond.
• Tracking your son/daughter’s learning and progress and keeping you informed at regular intervals.
• Offering opportunities for you to become involved in the life and learning of the school.
• Celebrating your son/daughter’s success and that of the school.

• Attending Parent’s evening and discussions about your son/daughter’s progress.
• Seeing that your son/daughter goes to school regularly, on time, in correct uniform and properly equipped.
• Making sure that you send a note explaining any absence
• Making sure that the school has up-to-date contact information
• Contacting the school about concerns that might affect your son/daughter’s learning
• Supporting the school’s policies and guidelines for learning and behaviour.
• Supporting your son/daughter in homework and other learning opportunities.
• Checking and signing the diary each week to ensure that homework is completed.

• Come to school each day on time.
• Bring all their equipment every day.
• Wear the correct uniform to and from school and follow all the uniform rules.
• Complete their class work and homework as well as they can.
• Be polite and respectful to all staff and students.
• Strive to achieve certificates and rewards.
• Attend detentions and appointments with staff on time.
• Follow the code of conduct of the school.