TCES East London School – Post-16
Your Next Step. Your Future. Your Way.
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Whether you are already part of our TCES East London secondary school or exploring post-16 options for the first time, this stage is about moving forward with confidence.
For our current students, post-16 is a natural progression. You remain on the same ‘Outstanding’ Stratford site, with staff who already understand your strengths, your goals and the strategies that help you thrive. There is no “starting again” instead, you step into greater independence, leadership and opportunity.
For new students joining us at 16–19, you will find a setting that combines the ambition of a college with the therapeutic support of a specialist school. Many of our young people arrive having experienced disrupted education or settings that did not fully understand them. Our role is to rebuild confidence, restore trust and create a clear pathway into adulthood.
As a TCES Post-16 provision, we never give up and we never exclude.
Qualification with Therapeutic Support Built In
Our post-16 provision offers far more than qualifications alone. Students build personalised programmes that combine:
- Vocational & academic qualifications
- GCSE or Functional Skills (where appropriate)
- Life skills and independence
- Leadership and mentoring opportunities
- Meaningful work experience
For East London students, we also offer a hybrid learning approach, enabling access to an even wider range of vocational courses and specialist facilities across the TCES Group. Opening September 2026 in West Ealing is our TCES College.
The environment is designed to feel like college with workshops, IT suites, hair and beauty salons and a hospitality café while maintaining the therapeutic and educational support TCES is known for. Supported travel ensures this feels achievable and structured, not overwhelming.
What Makes Post-16 at TCES Different?
Therapeutic Education
At TCES, therapy is not separate from learning it is woven into daily life.
Post-16 students benefit from:
- An in-house therapy team
- Personalised wellbeing support embedded into the timetable
- Small class sizes and individual pathways
- Structured preparation for adulthood
- Our three-tier model (Universal, Targeted and Specialist support) ensures that as needs change, support adapts.
For students stepping up from our secondary provision, this means continuity. For new students, it means immediate understanding.
Search our courses
A Broad and Ambitious Curriculum
At TCES East London – Post-16, students can choose from a wide range of pathways, building a programme that suits their interests and aspirations.
The LIFE Programme – Preparation for Adulthood in Action
Our award-winning LIFE Programme (Leadership, Independence, Future Options & Employment, Empowerment) sits at the centre of post-16.
Through LIFE, students develop:
Leadership
Students take on meaningful roles such as Community Ambassadors, Fundraising Leaders, Careers Leaders and Student Voice Representatives.
Peer mentoring opportunities allow post-16 students to support younger pupils, building accountability, confidence and real leadership skills.
Independence
Young people strengthen decision-making, emotional regulation and self-advocacy skills, preparing for adult life beyond education.
Future Options & Employment
Careers guidance, university visits, training providers and structured work experience ensure students understand their next steps.
Empowerment
Accredited programmes such as The King’s Trust Personal Development & Resilience qualifications (Levels 1–3), Emergency First Aid at Work and First Response Emergency Care help students gain recognised credentials valued by employers.
We actively celebrate students’ SEND superpowers helping them understand that thinking differently is not a weakness, but a strength in the modern workplace.
Work Experience That Builds Confidence
Work experience is carefully structured and personalised.
Students access:
- External placements across sectors such as aviation, construction, retail and beauty
- Internal roles including reception, administration, site support and the TCES Community Hub Café
- Step-Up Week, where students shadow staff and experience a structured working day
- Opportunities within TCES central services, including marketing, finance and HR
This staged approach ensures students grow in readiness, not pressure.
Outcomes That Matter
Our impact is strong and consistent:
- 90–100% of post-16 students’ progress into further education, training or employment
- 96% pass rate in Functional Skills
- Zero exclusions ever
For many families, this stage transforms expectations of what felt possible.
Working With Families – Every Step of the Way
Through FAST (Families and Schools Together), we ensure support does not stop at the school gates.
Parents are involved in:
- Shared strategies between home and school
- Parent Council
- Celebrations and milestone events
- Ongoing communication and transition planning
- When families feel supported, young people do too.
meet the team
Diyala Al Souob
Hayley Dos-Santos
Sasha Hristova
Shane Robinson-Fanus
Tracey De Rizzio
TCES east london post-16 NEWS
"Pupils enjoy an exceptional offer beyond the academic curriculum. Staff plan this around pupils’ individual interests. The school prioritises pupils’ physical and mental wellbeing."
OFSTED REPORTS
As a DfE-registered school and Ofsted Rated Outstanding (2025), we provide the same academic opportunities as mainstream schools, delivered in a way that works for children who need something different.
OPEN EVENTS
Join us at our next East London open event to meet our team, explore the school and experience how our therapeutic approach supports young people to feel understood, supported and ready to succeed.
case studies
Ready for the Next Step?
If your child is currently in our secondary school, speak to us about shaping their post-16 pathway early.
If you are exploring Post-16 options and would like to join TCES East London, our specialist team will guide you through the referral process and local authority funding steps.