TCES Celebrates Outstanding Ofsted Ratings for East London and Nurture Primary Schools

The two schools support pupils aged 7 to 19 who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Many of the young people who join TCES have previously experienced multiple school exclusions and significant disruption to their education. On average, students have been excluded three times before arriving at TCES. Ofsted’s report recognises the transformational impact of the schools' trauma-informed, therapeutic approach, stating: “Pupils arrive at the school having experienced a turbulent time… they soon realise that the school will not give up on them.” 

The report highlights the exceptional care and professionalism of staff: 

“Teachers, support staff, social workers and therapists work together tirelessly. Together they ensure that every pupil settles and succeeds to the very best of their ability.” 

At TCES, we believe that behaviour is a form of communication. Many of our students have experienced rejection due to previous exclusion and feeling like they don’t fit in. As a result, many arrive in a heightened state of anxiety or ‘fight or flight.’ Our approach is grounded in building relationships, understanding each pupil’s story, and using those connections to role-model positive behaviour and support students in regulating emotions and rebuilding trust. 

Ofsted praised this approach, noting: 

“Staff know them well and recognise when they are feeling down. When pupils struggle to manage their behaviour, staff help them to become calm. They teach pupils to value themselves first. This helps them to improve their behaviour towards others.” 

TCES CEO, Thomas Keaney, commented: 

“Every school in the TCES Group is now graded Outstanding by Ofsted. This is a huge achievement for every member of our team, and we all feel enormous pride in the difference we are making to these exceptional children’s lives. 

For 25 years we have never excluded a child. We never give up because we understand how to wrap a team around each young person to meet their individual needs. 

Inclusion sits at the heart of everything we do, and we are now working at a national level to share our expertise with mainstream schools to improve outcomes for every SEND child. Having a group of Outstanding schools is fantastic but the real success is in the stories of transformation behind those ratings. That’s what drives us every day.”