Ickburgh School Review 2026: Hackney's Specialist SEND Provision for Ages 3–19

Ickburgh School is a state-maintained special school in Homerton, Hackney, serving children and young people aged 3 to 19 with profound and multiple learning difficulties, severe autism, and physical disabilities. Unique within the borough, it is the only school offering this comprehensive range of specialist provision from early years through to post-16. The school operates from a historically significant building—one of the first purpose-built special schools in England—which underwent a £2 million refurbishment to create dedicated sixth-form provision. With three distinct learning pathways (Connecting, Active, and Sensory Learners), on-site therapy services, and accreditation as a Unicef Gold Rights Respecting School, Ickburgh provides an individualised, child-centred education for 166 pupils. All students hold Education, Health and Care Plans, and the school is rated Good by Ofsted.

Ickburgh School's vision centres on providing "Fulfilment, Belonging, and Independence" for every pupil and staff member. This philosophy is embedded throughout the school's approach, underpinning its three curriculum pathways and its commitment to respecting the individual needs of learners with severe and complex needs. The school's Gold Rights Respecting School award from Unicef recognises how deeply children's rights are integrated into its ethos and daily practices, promoting a culture of dignity, respect, and understanding.

The building itself carries a notable heritage. Originally designed with flexibility and compassion for severely disabled children, the school was one of the first purpose-built institutions of its kind in England. Its open-plan arrangement around a central core was pioneering in the history of special needs education, and the site retains that thoughtful, child-centred character today. A recent £2 million refurbishment created 50 new places for sixth-form students aged 16 to 18 with autism and learning difficulties, demonstrating the school's continued evolution to meet changing needs.

Since November 2019, Headteacher Joseph Sieber has led the school, succeeding Susan Davies. Under his leadership, Ickburgh has maintained its Good rating and expanded its community engagement, including proposals to establish a second site at the former Baden Powell Primary School to serve an additional 48 pupils with SEND.

Ickburgh School does not participate in standard national assessments for mainstream schools; its focus is on personalised learning pathways tailored to each pupil's EHCP outcomes. The school divides its provision into three pathways:

• Sensory Learners: for pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties, many of whom have physical disabilities, visual and hearing impairments, and complex medical needs.
• Active Learners: for pupils with severe learning difficulties.
• Connecting Learners: for pupils with severe learning difficulties and autism.

Each pathway runs across early years, primary, secondary, and sixth-form phases, ensuring continuity and progression. Teaching strategies are adapted to individual needs, with a strong emphasis on communication, sensory exploration, independence skills, and functional academics.

Ickburgh's multidisciplinary support is comprehensive. On-site services include specialist teachers for sensory needs, a school nurse, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, NHS consultant paediatrician access, specialist NHS dental services, and a Disabled Children's Service social worker. Home-to-school transport is arranged, recognising that many pupils have mobility and complex health needs.

The most recent Ofsted inspection in June 2023 rated the school Good overall. Inspectors typically review special schools against their success in meeting individual pupils' EHCP targets and preparing them for the next stage of their lives, rather than by academic benchmarks.

Ickburgh's extracurricular provision reflects its commitment to a broad, enriching curriculum. The school has a rich tradition in music, art, and performing arts. Year 9 pupils work towards Arts Award qualifications at Discovery, Explore, and Bronze levels, engaging in visual arts, music, dance, drama, digital art, and circus arts. Partnerships with external organisations—including the Saatchi Gallery, Whitechapel Gallery, Tate Modern, Barbican, V&A Museum, National Centre for Circus Arts, and Alexander Whitley Digital Dance Company—bring professional artists and performers into the school and provide pupils with cultural experiences beyond the classroom.

Students attend exhibitions and concerts, participate in the Hackney Carnival and the I am Festival, and benefit from workshops by organisations such as Chicken Shed, Mouth that Roars, and WAC Arts. A weekly film club, run by an external provider, adds to the breadth of activities. The school also holds Sports Premium programmes and has received Mayor of Hackney Music Awards.

The historic building features flexible, open-plan spaces designed for accessibility and adaptability. Specialist facilities include art and food technology rooms, therapy spaces, breakout and group areas, and sensory learning environments. The proposed expansion at the former Baden Powell site will add refurbished classrooms, further specialist rooms, and additional therapy spaces.

Ickburgh maintains an active YouTube channel and uses digital learning platforms such as Purple Mash to support curriculum delivery. Drama, music, and wellbeing programmes are integrated across pathways, ensuring that even pupils with the most profound needs experience a rich and varied school life.

Ickburgh School is a specialist provision exclusively for children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans. The school's three-pathway model ensures targeted support for a wide spectrum of needs.

The Sensory Learners pathway serves pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD). Many have severe physical disabilities, complex medical needs, and sensory impairments (visual and hearing). Teaching focuses on sensory stimulation, communication development, personal care routines, and building comfort and trust.

The Active Learners pathway supports pupils with severe learning difficulties (SLD) who may be mobile and more interactive but still require significant support across all areas of learning. The curriculum emphasises functional skills, independence, social interaction, and engagement with the wider community.

The Connecting Learners pathway is designed for pupils with severe learning difficulties and autism. It places a particular emphasis on communication, social understanding, structure, and routines, using evidence-based approaches to support pupils on the autism spectrum.

All pupils benefit from integrated therapy services, including speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy, delivered by qualified specialists. Therapy goals are woven into classroom practice, ensuring consistency and progression. The school also provides access to NHS consultants and specialist dental services, addressing the complex health needs common among its pupils.

Ickburgh is unique within Hackney as the only school serving children with PMLD, severe autism, and significant physical disabilities across the full age range from 3 to 19.

Admission to Ickburgh School is managed through the statutory EHCP process. Parents cannot apply directly; instead, places are allocated via Hackney's Education, Health and Care Planning Team. The process begins when a child is assessed and issued an EHCP. Parents can express preferences, but final decisions rest with Hackney Education's EHC Panel, which consults with the school and assesses whether it can meet the child's needs.

For primary-to-secondary transitions, parents complete preference forms in early October of Year 6. Hackney Education must name a school on the EHCP by 15 February. Once named on the plan, the school is legally obliged to admit the child. Sixth-form places are also available exclusively to students with EHCPs and are allocated based on individual needs and aspirations.

There is no traditional catchment area or distance-based criteria. Home-to-school transport is provided, enabling pupils to attend from across Hackney and, where appropriate, from neighbouring boroughs. With current capacity at 150 and a roll of 166 pupils, the school is oversubscribed, prompting the proposed expansion to add 48 places at a second site.

Parents seeking a place should contact Hackney's Special Needs Team on 020 8820 7326. More information is available via Hackney Education's admissions pages.

Ickburgh School stands out as Hackney's specialist provision for children and young people with the most complex and profound special educational needs. Its three-pathway model, comprehensive therapy services, and commitment to rights, respect, and individualised learning create an environment where every pupil can access an education tailored to their abilities and potential. The school's historic building, recent investment in sixth-form facilities, and planned expansion demonstrate a long-term commitment to serving its community.

While Ickburgh does not offer the academic pathways or extracurricular breadth of a mainstream school, it provides something far more important for its pupils: a place where their needs are understood, their voices are heard, and their development—however small the steps—is celebrated. The richness of its arts provision, the professionalism of its therapy teams, and the integration of cultural experiences set it apart from many special schools nationally.

For families of children with profound and multiple learning difficulties, severe autism, or significant physical disabilities, Ickburgh offers a rare combination of specialism, compassion, and ambition. Its Good Ofsted rating, Gold Rights Respecting status, and expansion plans reflect a school that is both stable and forward-looking. If your child has an EHCP and needs are within Ickburgh's areas of expertise, it is a strong choice and one of very few options in Hackney offering this level of specialist support across the full 3–19 age range.

Is Ickburgh School a good school?

Yes. Ickburgh School was rated Good by Ofsted in June 2023. It is the only school in Hackney serving children and young people with profound and multiple learning difficulties, severe autism, and physical disabilities across the full 3–19 age range. The school's three-pathway model, on-site therapy services, and Gold Rights Respecting School status reflect a strong commitment to individualised, child-centred education. Parents value its compassionate ethos, specialist expertise, and rich cultural and arts provision.

How do I apply to Ickburgh School?

Admission is managed through the EHCP process. You cannot apply directly. Contact Hackney's Special Needs Team on 020 8820 7326 to discuss your child's needs and begin or review the EHCP process. If Ickburgh is named on your child's EHCP, the school is legally obliged to offer a place. Decisions are made by Hackney Education's EHC Panel based on individual needs, not distance or catchment.

What ages does Ickburgh School serve?

Ickburgh School serves pupils aged 3 to 19, from early years through to post-16 sixth form. All pupils must have an Education, Health and Care Plan.

Does Ickburgh School have a sixth form?

Yes. Ickburgh's sixth form serves students aged 16 to 19 with learning disabilities and EHCPs. The provision focuses on independence, life skills, and preparing young people for adulthood. A £2 million refurbishment created dedicated sixth-form facilities for up to 50 students.

What type of special needs does Ickburgh School support?

Ickburgh supports pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), severe learning difficulties (SLD), severe autism, physical disabilities, sensory impairments (visual and hearing), and complex medical needs. It is unique in Hackney for offering all three pathways (Sensory, Active, and Connecting Learners) under one roof.

What therapy services are available at Ickburgh School?

The school offers on-site occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, nursing support, NHS consultant paediatrician access, and specialist NHS dental services. Therapy goals are integrated into teaching and learning across all pathways.