Leader's update - Friday 4 September 2026

Published: 04 September 2026

Dear neighbours,

On Thursday, I had the pleasure of visiting the new Hatton Special School site in Ilford ahead of pupils starting there this week.

The project has transformed a former school building into a modern learning environment designed around the needs of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. With specialist classrooms, learning spaces, sports facilities and dedicated support areas, it has been created to help children learn, grow and thrive.

Redbridge is fortunate to have excellent schools and dedicated teachers who help young people achieve their potential every day. Over recent weeks, we have celebrated the achievements of students receiving their GCSE and A-Level results, alongside the dedication of staff, families and school communities across our borough.

But a great education system is about more than academic achievement alone. It is about making sure every child has the opportunity to succeed, with the right support and environment to help them fulfil their potential.

That is what makes the opening of Hatton's new site so important. For many families, the most important thing about the new school is that it means more children can be educated closer to home. Too often, families have faced long journeys outside the borough to access the specialist support their child needs. Being able to learn near friends, family and familiar support networks can make a real difference to a child's wellbeing, development and sense of belonging.

As I walked around the school, what struck me most was the sense of opportunity it represents. Every child deserves confidence, encouragement and the right environment in which to flourish. This school has been designed to provide exactly that, helping children develop their independence, build friendships and gain the skills they need for the future.

I am also particularly proud because this is a project we committed to delivering for local families and are now seeing come to life. We knew more SEND places were needed in Redbridge and we were determined to expand specialist provision in the borough.

Thanks to a £10.9 million investment by the Council, more children will now be able to access high-quality specialist education within their own community, in a school designed around their needs.

This forms part of a wider programme of investment to expand SEND provision across our borough. We know demand continues to grow, which is why we have been creating additional specialist classrooms and increasing capacity in schools across Redbridge. There is more to do, but the opening of Hatton's new site is an important step forward.

My thanks go to the school leadership team, staff, Council officers and everyone involved in bringing this project to life. Most importantly, I want to wish every pupil starting at the new site the very best for the year ahead. I hope they are happy there, make lasting friendships and enjoy every opportunity to learn, grow and succeed.

Cllr Kam Rai
Leader of Redbridge Council