Haggerston School, Hackney about the issues around education in the borough. SR: Hackney's schools have had a reputation as being difficult and underfunded. There were also frequent criticisms of the LEA. What is the real picture and why was the LEA replaced with a Learning Trust? KF: Half of the pupils in Hackney are entitled to free schools meals, 80% of our pupils are from black and ethnic minority backgrounds, 53% of pupils speak English as an additional language and there are nearly 3,000 refugee children being educated in Hackney schools. In 2002 after years of mismanagement by the Labour Council, Education services in Hackney were taken over by a not for profit company, the Learning Trust which is totally unaccountable to tne local community. SR: Two of the borough's schools have been closed in recent years. Why? What impact has this had on education in the area? KF: Kingsland Secondary School closed after a hard fought campaign. It was deemed to be a failing school, but was improving when the closure went ahead. It is due to be replaced by the Jack Petchy Academy.
Laburnum Primary School was also closed despite being told by Ofsted that they were no longer on special measThe May
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