Best Schools in Hackney 2026 — Rankings, Ofsted Ratings & Reviews
Compare 73 schools and nurseries in Hackney — Ofsted ratings, exam results & admissions data.
Hackney has 73 primary, secondary and independent schools educating over 36,000 pupils. The borough is one of London's great education success stories — once one of the lowest-performing areas in England, Hackney has transformed its schools over the past two decades. Today, 28 schools are rated Outstanding by Ofsted, the highest proportion among these five inner London boroughs at 38%.
Hackney's improvement has been driven by strong academy trusts and innovative school leadership. The borough is particularly strong at primary level, with several schools consistently achieving KS2 results well above the national average. The Hackney Free and Parochial School and Mossbourne Community Academy are nationally recognised for their results.
Hackney at a Glance
Top Primary Schools in Hackney
| School | Area | Ofsted | KS2 RWM % | Reading | Maths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simon Marks Jewish Primary School | Hackney | Good | 100% | — | — |
| Southwold Primary School | Hackney | Outstanding | 91% | — | — |
| Princess May Primary School | Hackney | Good | 90% | — | — |
| Grazebrook Primary School | Hackney | Outstanding | 90% | — | — |
| Northwold Primary School | Hackney | Outstanding | 88% | — | — |
Top Secondary Schools in Hackney
| School | Area | Ofsted | Progress 8 | 5+ GCSE % | EBacc % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy | Hackney | Outstanding | +1.54 | 93% | 99% |
| Mossbourne Community Academy | Hackney | Outstanding | +1.47 | 85% | 88% |
| Waterside Academy | Hackney | Good | +1.04 | 68% | 57% |
| Skinners' Academy | Hackney | Good | +0.99 | 100% | 87% |
| Yesodey Hatorah Senior Girls School | Hackney | Good | +0.92 | 78% | 24% |
Admissions in Hackney — Key Dates
Hackney Council coordinates admissions for state schools. For September 2026, the secondary deadline was 31 October 2025 with offers on 1 March 2026. The primary deadline is 15 January 2026 with offers on 16 April 2026. Mossbourne schools use a 'banding' system to ensure a balanced intake. Apply through hackney.gov.uk.
Tip: Classpot shows the applications-to-places ratio for every school so you can gauge how competitive admissions are before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best schools in Hackney?
Mossbourne Community Academy is one of the highest-performing state schools in the country. The Skinners' Academy and Stoke Newington School also achieve strong results. At primary level, Grazebrook Primary and Queensbridge Primary are highly regarded.
How has Hackney improved its schools?
Hackney has undergone one of the most significant school improvement journeys in England. The borough moved from being one of the worst-performing local authorities to one of the best in London, driven by academy conversion, strong leadership and community investment.
How competitive are school admissions in Hackney?
Very competitive for top schools. Mossbourne Community Academy is heavily oversubscribed. The borough uses a mix of distance-based and banding admissions. Classpot shows historical admission distances for each school.
Find the right school in Hackney
Browse all 73 schools and nurseries. Filter by Ofsted rating, exam results and distance.
Browse All Schools in Hackney