TCES East London School

Stratford, London, E15 4HT

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Choosing a secondary school when your child has additional needs can feel overwhelming. You may be thinking about past experiences, exclusions, anxiety, long periods out of education, or a system that hasn’t fully understood your child.

At TCES East London School, we work with families as well as young people. From the moment your child joins us, you are not navigating this journey alone.

Based in Stratford in the London Borough of Newham, we are a DfE-registered school, rated Outstanding by Ofsted, supporting SEND young people aged 12–19 with Education, Health and Care Plans, typically for SEMH and/or ASC.

A School Where Your Child Is Understood

Many of our students arrive with significant gaps in education. Some have been out of school for extended periods. Others have felt misunderstood, anxious or overwhelmed in larger settings.

With small classes of up to eight pupils, your child will be known, understood and supported throughout the school. They will follow the full National Curriculum, just as they would in a mainstream school, because we believe in high expectations. At the same time, learning is adapted around their needs so they can experience success again.

We provide structure and opportunities of a typical secondary education, carefully supported within a therapeutic environment that nurtures their emotional wellbeing and steadily strengthens their resilience.

Therapeutic Education at Secondary Level

Your child’s emotional wellbeing is not treated as separate from their learning, it sits at the centre of it.

Universal, Targeted and Specialist Therapeutic Support
Therapists visit every classroom weekly
Teachers and therapists plan education together
We follow structured Daily Intervention Guidance (DIGS) to support regulation
Dedicated therapy spaces are available on site

This joined-up approach means we respond quickly when your child is struggling. Instead of escalating behaviour, we understand it. Instead of exclusion, we adjust support.

Over time, you will see your child develop strategies to regulate emotions, manage relationships and take responsibility for their choices, skills they will need far beyond school.

A Broad Curriculum That Plays to Strengths

Your child will study a full range of subjects, just like in a mainstream secondary school. Alongside academic subjects, we offer specialisms that allow young people to discover their strengths:

LIFE Programme (Leadership, Independence, Future Options & Employability and Empowerment)
Art and Design Studio
Sports, Fitness & Wellbeing
Music Performance and Production
A professional production and performance music studio
An on-site gardening allotment
East London School Football Team
Young Leadership opportunities across the school

We are particularly experienced in recognising and supporting girls whose needs may be masked or overlooked. Our team understands how differently presentation can look, and we work sensitively to ensure no young person is missed.

At TCES East London, your child can experience school life without labels or the fear of exclusion. They are encouraged to explore who they are, build friendships and find areas where they shine.

Working With You - Beyond the School Gates

We know secondary school is only one part of your child’s world. Many of our families are also working with social care, CAMHS or other professionals. We collaborate closely, helping to coordinate support so your child experiences consistency.

We keep communication open and honest. We involve you in planning. We help you understand the strategies your child is learning in school so these can be replicated at home.

Our aim is not simply to get your child through exams, it is to change the trajectory of their life.

Preparing for Adulthood

By the time students leave TCES East London, the educational gap between them and their mainstream peers has significantly narrowed. They leave with qualifications, confidence and practical social skills.

In 2024, 100% of our Year 11 and Post-16 pupils progressed into education, employment or training. For many families who once feared their child might disengage completely, this outcome represents a profound shift.

We support transitions into mainstream colleges, further education or specialist pathways, ensuring your child moves forward with pride and readiness.

who we support

We support students who may have:

Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs

Diagnosed mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, OCD or PTSD

Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), ADHD and associated needs

Mild to moderate learning disabilities

Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)

Difficulty accessing mainstream or alternative settings

Children Looked After (CLA) requiring a consistent, inclusive environment

Our provision supports both secondary and Post-16 students, preparing them for further education, employment and adulthood.

If you are unsure whether we can meet your child’s needs, please contact our referrals team.

life at tces School

Since 2009

For over a decade, TCES East London has supported young people from across London and the Home Counties. We are a diverse, inclusive community of pupils, staff, therapists and families, united by shared values and a belief that no young person should be defined by their past.

We never give up, we never exclude!

meet the team

Diyala Al Souob

Lead Therapist DDSL

Hayley Dos-Santos

Assistant Head of Inclusion DSL

Sasha Hristova

SENCo DDSL

Shane Robinson-Fanus

Pastoral Care Co-ordinator

Tracey De Rizzio

School Business Manager DDSL