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Hackney appeal seeks school supplies for new Year 7 pupils

Three students stand behind a table covered with backpacks, stationery, and school supplies.

Hackney residents are being asked to help provide secondary school starter packs for local children moving from Year 6 into Year 7 this September.

The Pack To School Appeal is open for donations until 31 July. Supporters can buy an item from the appeal list or shop locally and drop supplies at the Forest Road Youth Hub, 29 Forest Rd, London E8 3BY.

Each pack is designed to give pupils the basic equipment they need for the first weeks of secondary school, reducing the pressure on families facing back-to-school costs.

Donations are needed before 31 July

Residents who want to take part should donate before the 31 July deadline so packs can be prepared ahead of the new school year.

The appeal is being run through Young Hackney with support from Hackney Youth Parliament. People can use the Young Hackney campaign information to check the latest list of requested items and suggestions on where to buy them.

Detail Information
Deadline 31 July
Drop-off point Forest Road Youth Hub
Address 29 Forest Rd, London E8 3BY
Pupils supported Children moving from Year 6 to Year 7

School pack essentials for new secondary pupils

Each starter pack will include practical classroom items that pupils are expected to use regularly at secondary school.

The core supplies include:

  • A new rucksack
  • A geometry set
  • Pens
  • A scientific calculator

Hackney Youth Parliament has also highlighted additional items that can help children feel more confident and prepared. The appeal is focused on making the move to secondary school easier, not only by covering basic stationery needs but by helping pupils start alongside their peers with the equipment they are likely to need from day one.

Why the appeal matters in Hackney

The organisers say around 64% of children in Hackney live in low-income households, leaving many families under pressure when buying uniform, bags, calculators and other school essentials.

For pupils starting Year 7, the cost can arrive at the same time as other changes: a new school route, new teachers, new classmates and a more demanding timetable. A properly stocked bag does not remove every challenge, but it can prevent a child from beginning secondary school already feeling behind.

Hackney Youth Parliament said this is the fourth year of the Pack To School Appeal and that previous donations have helped hundreds of young people feel ready to learn.

How residents can help now

Residents can support the campaign by buying an item from the appeal list before the deadline, or by purchasing supplies locally and taking them to the Forest Road Youth Hub.

Hackney Youth Parliament said: “As we launch this year’s appeal, we’re asking the community to help us reach even more young people across the borough and give them a positive start to secondary school.”

Source: Hackney Council

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Marcus Thorne

Marcus Thorne

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Marcus Thorne brings 12 years of investigative reporting experience to his coverage of civic infrastructure, municipal budgets, and essential public services. Specializing in urban transit, sanitation, and emergency responder logistics, Marcus tracks how local government policies impact community resources. His reporting process relies heavily on public records requests, rigorous cross-referencing of municipal expenditure reports, and direct interviews with civic workers to ensure factual accuracy and government transparency.

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