The Urban Hack: Empowering Ealing sixth formers to drive local change

Ealing Council is proud to offer The Urban Hack - a fully funded innovation and service design programme for KS5 and FE students.

Following a successful pilot with Greenford High School in 2024, and with Villiers High School currently taking part in the Spring 2025 programme, we are now inviting expressions of interest from other Ealing schools and FE colleges.

How it works

Over 4 intensive days, 30 students work with service design professionals to:

• Learn and apply design methodologies used in government and industry
• Undertake field research to understand issues from multiple and diverse perspectives.
• Collaborate with peers to research and prototype ideas
• Create solutions to real-life challenges like climate change, housing and youth mental health
• Present their final projects to the council and graduate with a sense of purpose
• Gain skills and experience to elevate any UCAS application or CV.

The challenges the students will be focusing on are the ones with a real impact on their own lives and communities. Whether creating solutions around sustainability, homelessness or health, they will be encouraged to explore their borough from many different perspectives, building confidence and empathy that will continue far beyond the programme itself.

One Greenford High School student said: “Participating in Urban Hack was a transformative experience. It not only allowed me to apply my skills in real-world urban challenges, but also taught me the importance of collaboration and problem-solving.”

Why it matters

The Urban Hack is about collaboration, civic engagement and imagination. It introduces young people to the often-invisible systems and services that share their towns, cities and lives. It not only empowers them to reimagine those systems and services, but it gives them the tools to make real, meaningful change.

Students walk away with clearer insight into careers in public service, social policy and design and a stronger sense of their place within their community.

“This course represents a significant step in my professional development, and I’m looking forward to applying what I learn to create impactful solutions in the future." - 2024 Participant

Register your interest

We’re looking to bring The Urban Hack to more Ealing schools in 2025 and beyond.

Let’s give young people the confidence and tools to design a better borough!

Complete our short expression of interest form

Or contact theurbanhack@ealing.gov.uk with any questions.