Education Property: Supporting Hackney’s Growth, Safety, and Sustainability Goals

Education Property works collaboratively with internal Council departments to support Hackney’s growth strategy, focusing on quality education facilities, financial sustainability, and advancing Hackney’s Net Zero Carbon (NZC) targets and manifesto commitments. Our team’s efforts include:

• Capital Investment Strategy: Leading the development and commissioning of capital investment for the schools’ estate, ensuring that projects align with Council priorities and provide quality and value for money.

• Collaborative Partnerships: Engaging across departments—including Education, Property, Carbon & Energy Management, Planning, and Health and Safety—to deliver robust, high-quality school environments that prioritize future NZC targets.

• Growth and Infrastructure Planning: Working closely with planning teams to ensure sufficient nursery, primary, and secondary school places as new homes are built. We actively explore opportunities for mixed-use developments and assess possibilities for expanding existing schools and identifying new school sites.

• School Estate Expansion: Evaluating expansion opportunities and constraints to maintain a school estate that meets Hackney’s evolving educational needs.

• Securing Funding: Pursuing funding opportunities to support the education estate, identifying and assisting with applications for grants or bidding processes.

• SEND Accommodation Strategy: Creating new pupil spaces in SEND schools and ensuring accommodation across the school estate meets future demands.

Capital Repairs, Maintenance, and Asset Management

The Education Property team develops, commissions, monitors, and reviews the financial and physical delivery of the schools’ Capital Repairs Programme to ensure the school estate remains fit for purpose. The PMO office serves as the primary point of contact for building-related inquiries and support. Key responsibilities include:

• Condition and Compliance Surveys: Conducting regular condition surveys, issuing annual compliance surveys, and collaborating with Health and Safety to conduct frequent health checks. Findings from these assessments inform the prioritization of works in the school’s Asset Management and Lifecycle Programmes.

• Capital Works Commissioning: Commissioning essential capital works for the education estate for projects exceeding £6,000.

• Self-Delivery Support: For schools undertaking self-delivery projects, we monitor project management and Health and Safety procedures, helping schools enhance their confidence and understanding of property management.

Facilities Management Services for the schools 

•  This is a service that any school can buy into. A specialist team will manage Facilities and Compliance, such as PAT/Gas/Legionella testing and various compliance certificates. More about this service and details on costs can be found here.

Health and Safety Support

collaboration with the Corporate Health and Safety team, Education Property ensures that all schools comply with statutory Health and Safety requirements, especially regarding fire safety, water hygiene, and asbestos management. We provide guidance on various compliance issues and update schools on any statutory changes or new information, supporting the establishment of high standards in school safety.

Manifesto Commitments

Education Property is committed to Hackney’s sustainability goals, including:

• Commitment 68: Developing an NZC implementation pathway from 2026 with a target to achieve NZC by 2030.

• Commitment 67: Installing solar panels in every school where feasible to contribute to Hackney’s green energy initiatives.

Contact Information

• David Clark, Head of Education Property
  Hackney Service Centre, 1 Hillman St, E8 1DY

• Education Property PMO
  Hackney Service Centre, 1 Hillman St, E8 1DY
  Email: pmo.educationproperty@hackney.gov.uk