Mission

What we thinkThe Hackney Pirates believe that education should be a great adventure! We think that one to one attention is one of the most powerful educational tools in the world. We think that having a grown up sitting next to you caring about every word you say can make a critical difference to how well you do in school. So we use the brilliant, creative and caring people of Hackney to provide the extra minutes, hours and days of attention that will make a real difference to the lives of the young people who live in our area.How we do itWe work with young people after school in our centre in Hackney. Here at Pirate HQ, we support young people by giving them one-to-one attention in a weird and wonderful out-of-school learning environment. It’s a fun space where young people can get some extra help on their homework and literacy. And we also get young people working on making professionally produced creative products (like books and CDs) alongside talented creative professionals, because we think that everyone learns best when they can see the outcome of their work being valued by other people. We sell the great products they make at our events and soon in our own online shop.

Category

Education and Skills

Additional Information

The Hackney Pirates is an innovative education project designed to supplement the school system. We work with young people in Hackney to develop core literacy skills and creative ability, by providing one-to-one attention in an unconventional learning environment. We believe young people progress fastest when given personalised attention from an adult who cares, and we want to utilise Hackney’s unparalleled concentration of creative professionals to ensure all local young people have access to this. BACKGROUNDThe Hackney Pirates was set up in 2010 by Teach First teacher Catriona Maclay, along with a founding group of educationalists, social entrepreneurs and creative professionals. OUR CORE PRINCIPLES Providing intensive one-to-one attention focused on learning Developing literacy alongside creativity and confidence, in order to both raise school attainment anddevelop working skills Developing project-based learning opportunities through the regular publishing of real-world productssuch as websites, books and films Conducting activities in an inspiring unconventional learning environment Focusing exclusively on pupils identified by teachers and social workers of being at risk of failure OUR ACHIEVEMENTS SO FAR Delivered over 3000 hours of one-to-one attention to c.70 young people since summer 2010 Recruited over 250 volunteers from the local community Produced 10 professional products in partnership with creative professionals, including films, websites,films and stop-motion animations Developed c. 15 referral relationships with schools and other professional bodies, including socialservices Impact: 85% of teachers have noticed a positive or very positive change in the child since starting Impact: 100% of parents believe we are helping develop their child’s literacy, creativity and confidence