Clearly visible through the sizeable windows, classrooms buzz with activity here at The Urswick School. The modern architecture might fool you. But this school has roots stretching back centuries. Let’s step inside this co-educational secondary school and sixth form.
The Urswick School is named after Revd Christopher Urswick. He was Rector of Hackney from 1502 to 1522. Urswick was a close friend of King Henry VII and Lady Margaret Beaufort. She greatly supported learning.
Established in 1520, the school was originally known as Hackney Free School. In 1722, it joined a parochial charity school. Together, they formed Hackney Free and Parochial School. After 1856, the school moved to its present location. It underwent significant rebuilding and expansion. In 2011, it was renamed The Urswick School.
The Urswick School is a voluntary aided school. Hackney London Borough Council and the Church of England Diocese of London administer it. The Urswick School offers GCSEs, BTECs and ASDAN awards. These are programs for pupils. The sixth form students can study A-levels. They can also study further BTECs and ASDAN awards.
Interestingly, The Guardian reported in 2021 about The Urswick School. It stated that the school was the most disadvantaged secondary school in London. Furthermore, it ranked as the fifth most disadvantaged in England. Addressing this, the school provides free school meals to all its pupils.
In 2020, the governing body reached an out-of-court settlement. This was due to the repeated exclusion of a student. The reason was her Afro hairstyle. The school paid damages of £8,500. The school entered a legally binding agreement. This agreement concerned hair policies with the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
Richard Brown became headteacher over twelve years ago. Back then, the school was in a pretty sorry state. Its local reputation was poor. Only about a fifth of the kids achieved the outcomes they needed to study A-Levels.
Brown oversaw renaming the school to The Urswick School. His improvement measures focused on gradual progress. He aimed to make things slightly better every year. When Brown first arrived, teachers kept their doors locked. This was the only way to prevent noise and chaos.
Brown got involved in the new building’s internal design. This explains the glass everywhere. If a child is misbehaving in a classroom, others can see it. The large windows show that the school is outward-facing. It is willing to welcome people in.
The school provides small signs with photos. These show students exhibiting approved behaviors. They also show cartoon depictions of problematic behaviors to avoid. The Urswick School employs walkabout mentors. These non-teaching staff patrol the school. They engage with students outside classrooms. Their goal is to return students to class quickly.
The Urswick School describes itself as a Christian school. However, it is not just for Christians. The school operates a four-band admissions policy. Students regularly attending a place of worship are guaranteed a place. The school also welcomes looked-after children.
The school serves free lunches to every pupil. Staff can also eat for free in the cafeteria. The school lets out its facilities to community groups. It also allows TV production companies to use them.
In recent years, The Urswick School celebrated record A-Level results. Top grades were over 15% higher than the previous year. The school partners with University College London. This partnership provides access to study facilities and master classes.