TCES Group Winter Bulletin 2018

TCES Group Bulletin oCuerl2eb0rthatyinegar

Winter 2018

Pupils’ artwork provides colourful panels for Create School's playground.

Unique Pathways to Learning Unique Pathways to LeUanrniqinuge Pathways to Learning Unique Pathways to Learning

TEACHING TALENT

Education Recruitment Specialists

CEO welcome

We’re all very excited about TCES Group reaching it’s 20th year. It’s amazing to think that, since
1999, we’ve been able to transform the lives of more than 3,000 children and young people.

Marking the start of our 20th year, In the spirit of continuous improvement, a number of new
we were delighted that Dame Esther initiatives have been added to the already busy TCES Group
Rantzen DBE agreed to become our calendar this term – including an alumni peer mentoring
patron and we look forward to working scheme, fitness challenges for pupils and staff, cross
closely with her to further champion the company Student Council activities and parent workshops.
talented young people we work with. You can read all about these in this issue, alongside news,
achievements and successes across the group. On p15 we
We have some grand plans for also talk about current development work that, following the
celebrating this significant anniversary, which you’ll be completion of our wonderful ELIS site, is now concentrated
hearing a lot more about as 2019 progresses. Leading up to on our newly developing Create school.
this, we’ve had a specific focus on further developing our Again with continuous improvement in mind, we will shortly
Create Service over the past 18 months, consulting both with be sending a reader survey to all recipients of our TCES Group
staff and external partners and investing a lot of time and bulletin. Please do take the time to complete this survey so
energy into evolving the existing service in London into a that we can ensure that the bulletin is providing you with the
new school at our Custom House site. We will continue with information and news that you really find useful. Should you
this focus during our 20th year and will be making further have any comments in the meantime, please email these to
announcements about our progress in due course. [email protected]
All that is left for me to do now is to send you all season’s
One of our key objectives is to reintegrate our pupils back into greetings and to wish you a very happy New Year from all of
small group education and eventually into more mainstream us at TCES Group.
provision. It’s always an extremely proud moment when one
of our pupils is able to ‘step down’, from one-to-one support Thomas Keaney, Chief Executive and Schools' Proprietor
to group learning, or from our Create Service into one of our
schools and, of course, from our schools into mainstream
colleges. (See p12 for news of these successes at NWLIS and
p14 for news of individual pupil success in ‘stepping down’
from our Create service to our schools.)

@TCESgroupCEO

02 CEO welcome 10 Parent page
11 East London Independent School (ELIS)
03 In the news: New patron 12 North West London Independent School (NWLIS)
13 Essex Fresh Start Independent School (EFS)
04 In the news: 20th year anniversary logo 14 Create School
05 In the news: Alumni peer mentoring 15 I n the spotlight: Sonia Ghaznavi, Safeguarding
06 Young leaders

07 Leadership week and Child Protection Lead

08 Anti-Bullying week 16 Winning Christmas cards

This Bulletin is produced by the TCES Group. We run Our schools are:
three independent day schools and a specialist service East London Independent School (Stratford Marsh)
called Create, that provides education for pupils Essex Fresh Start (Clacton and Witham)
who find it difficult to access learning opportunities North West London Independent School (Acton)
within their current setting. As a social enterprise we
have a clear social purpose, detailed in our governing Our Create Services are:
documents and we reinvest the majority of our profits. Create School (Custom House)
Create Service Essex (Clacton and Witham)

TCES Group, Park House, 8 Lombard Road, Wimbledon, London SW19 3TZ
To make a referral, please call: 020 8543 7878 (choose option 3) Email: [email protected] | www.tces.org.uk | @TCESgroup

2 TCES Group Bulletin | Winter 2018

In the news

Dame Esther Rantzen becomes our Patron

Dame Esther Rantzen DBE, Founder of Childline and CEO and Schools' proprietor

presenter of the UK’s iconic TV programme ‘That’s Life’, Thomas Keaney says: “I’d like to

has been named as Patron of TCES Group, to mark the thank Dame Esther on behalf of

beginning of our 20th anniversary year. all of our staff, Governors and

Dame Esther is taking up the role to help raise especially the children, for agreeing
awareness of how specialist therapeutic education for to become our Patron - marking
children and young people can positively transform the start of our 20th anniversary
their lives. year. We are thrilled and honoured.

At TCES Group, our approach to teaching children and “Over these past 19 plus years

young people aims to be inclusive and unique. In addition we believe that we have learned, through continuous
to more traditional class-based teaching of core subjects improvement, how to successfully engage with some of the
and a wide range of accredited courses, pupils are taught most complex children and young people in the country,
with severe mental health problems, co-morbid autistic
leadership, and thinking and social skills.
Dame Esther Rantzen says: “I’m delighted to be Patron for spectrum condition and challenging behaviour.
“I am proud to say that we have never permanently
TCES Group and to champion these young people.
excluded one of the 3,000 plus pupils that we have
“I have seen first-hand how this unique formula for educated in this time. We have been very privileged to
therapeutic education can work – how the positive support these SEND pupils, many of whom are Children in
environments and supportive staff team are helping Care. Without this support, too many of these pupils end
children to build trust and respect. up becoming negative statistics in terms of unemployment,
substance abuse, homelessness or prison. This vital
“During my visit to ELIS earlier this year, I spoke to a group investment in these pupils reduces the emotional cost to
of mature and confident young people who, despite the pupils and their families and the long term and very
significant learning challenges, are now embracing significant financial cost to society”.
education at TCES Group and demonstrating that they are
society’s potential young leaders of the future.”

Willard Wigan MBE inspires unique NWLIS pupils

In September, NWLIS welcomed Willard advised: “Don’t underestimate camera onto the microscope lens.
the creator of the world's smallest the tidal wave of talent at NWLIS. TCES Group CEO & Schools’ Proprietor
handmade sculptures. This is where it is: the pupils here are Thomas Keaney reflected, “What an
unique. Some of the best engineers in amazing day at NWLIS. Willard Wigan
Internationally-renowned micro- the world could come from here. This is the most inspirational man. He
sculptor Willard Wigan enthralled is Britain at its best.” talked to our pupils about being bullied
pupils and staff, showcasing his and ignored by teachers and how he
microscopic art by way of visual aids Student Council members Rochelle sees his Asperger's Syndrome as a gift.
and microscopes, enabling pupils to and Bailey confidently and articulately Now he makes micro-sculptures, one
discover an enticing world carved toured the school with Willard. given to the Queen, and he is an MBE.”
from a variety of materials that can sit Particularly impressed with the
within the eye of a needle or the tip of school’s Art Department, Willard spoke Pupil Adam with Willard Wigan MBE.
an eyelash. to several pupils, including post-16
student Michael, who played his film
Willard spoke of his own experiences ‘Stormie and Friends’ (a stop-motion
as a child at school, where he struggled animated film making technique).
with autism and dyslexia. He spoke Fellow post-16 art student Myles
of being ‘blessed, not bitter’ about was particularly impressed with
his diagnoses, encouraging pupils to Willard’s sculptures and managed
embrace their ‘hidden talents’ as a gift to photograph them by pointing his
to the world.

Videos of Dame Esther Rantzen at ELIS and Willard Wigan at NWLIS can be
found on our website homepage: www.tces.org.uk

TCES Group Bulletin | Winter 2018 3

In the news

20th year anniversary didn’t require much work by our designer Living Landscapes
to turn it into the logo below, that also award
To mark TCES Group's 20th year incorporates a couple of other ideas we
anniversary, pupils were asked to liked. EFS Witham was presented with
help design the logo that will be used a Living Landscapes Award in
September in recognition of
throughout our celebratory year. achievements over the last two
years with the Wildlife Trust,
Congratulations to Jalal from ELIS who who attend the school every
Wednesday, come rain or shine.
created the design that we’ve chosen to
The school was nominated
base our ‘20th year logo’ on and thank oCuerl2eb0rthatyinegar and won because of its pupils’
you to his TA, Raseal Ali. Jalal’s logo work and understanding of
already looked very professional so protecting wildlife and looking
after their environment. This
BHM Poetry includes: making a huge bug
hotel, compost bins, bird boxes
Competition and bird feeders; litter picking
in the local community; project
As last year, for October's Black History work at the local church such as
Month TCES Group ran a poetry clearing graves, putting up bird
competition, which was open to pupils and boxes, bird feeders and compost
staff. Thank you to all who contributed such bins in the church grounds; scrub
imaginative and wonderful poems! The clearance and bug hunting; and
winners are: building a fedge, (cross between
a hedge and a fence) in the
Pupil: Leroy, ELIS school field.
Staff: Sheeva, Using the Student Council
budget, the latest project is
Speech and Language Therapist an outside gazebo, which will
provide shelter in bad weather.
Joint entry: Antony and Yemi, ELIS Karen Juby, Pastoral Care
Coordinator, who collected the
A dedicated booklet is available (in hard award on the school’s behalf,
copy and on our website) with all the entries said “We are very proud of what
included for everybody to enjoy, along with the pupils have achieved.”
a selection of artwork that was created to
celebrate Black History Month 2018.

Teaching Talent tutoring Tutoring

Teaching Talent Tutoring provides specialist interim Specialist interim tutoring for
tutoring for pupils who are excluded, non-attending, SEND pupils who are:
in transition or waiting for a school placement or • excluded
alternative provision. The service provides community- • non-attending
based, individualised learning support packages that • in transition/waiting for
aim to support these pupils to reintegrate smoothly
into specialist or mainstream education as soon as a school placement or
possible. The service may assist in keeping young alternative provision
people away from antisocial behaviour while out of
education, support Local Authorities to meet their Teaching Talent Tutoring provides community-
statutory requirements and may also assist in avoiding based, individualised learning support packages
lengthy tribunals. that aim to support excluded, non-attending
and in transition pupils to reintegrate smoothly
If you’d like a copy of the new Teaching Talent Tutoring into specialist or mainstream education as soon
leaflet that provides comprehensive information for as possible.
Local Authorities, or if you’re a tutor who is interested The service may assist in keeping young people
in applying to work for the service please contact away from antisocial behaviour while out of
Maria: [email protected] education, support Local Authorities to meet
their statutory requirements and may also assist
in avoiding lengthy tribunals.

4 TCES Group Bulletin | Winter 2018

In the news Recent tweeting
from @TCESgroup

Alumni peer CEO and Schools’ Proprietor Thomas TCES Group @TCESgroup Dec 18
mentoring Keaney said, “I’ve interviewed hundreds Congratulations to NWLIS for
of staff over the years but never achieving ‘Working towards
NWLIS has begun an exciting alumni have I interviewed such passionate, Artsmark’ status. We look
peer mentorship programme, providing talented students who really want to forward to working with
support and guidance to the school’s make a difference. Their special needs @A_New_Direction who will be
pupils. This is the first of its kind in backgrounds are where their talents supporting our #school on its
TCES Group’s 19 year history. Former come from and all three will be an journey towards #artsmark.
students Hussein, Laquain and Nick absolute asset to their mentees. I’m so
were interviewed by staff members proud. This is a very exciting milestone TCES Group @TCESgroup Dec 4
with respect to them joining the that embodies our values: nurture, ELIS pupils had a great time
school in an entirely new capacity – as attachment, very high expectations and a visiting the House of #Parliament
members of the staff team. never give up staff attitude.” yesterday. Aaliyah loved the
buildings as they were so grand.
Alumni peer mentors will be Ali said it was nice to see the set
participating in the school’s group up of the #Government and how
process sessions, working with tutor it all works.
groups and facilitating assemblies to
assist staff in delivering key messages TCES Group @TCESgroup Nov 11
to pupils. Above all, the mentors will #RemembranceDay2018
inspire and encourage leadership and Stunning wall display made by
positivity in our younger pupils. EFS Clacton.

National Fitness Day challenges TCES Group @TCESgroup Oct 19
As part of #BlackHistoryMonth
Wellbeing Coach Ben Green put competition between the schools in pupils at Create London explored
together a number of fitness challenges order to crown a TCES Group fitness the #WindrushGeneration,
for all TCES Group schools to take part champion! with an opportunity to look at a
in on National Fitness Day. The event 1918 British passport, belonging
provides a chance to raise awareness of For those who didn’t want to take part to a resident of Jamaica (a
the importance of leading an active and in the physical part of the day there tutor's Great Grandfather).
healthier lifestyle. Hoping that as many was a poster competition for which Pupils discussed the meaning
pupils and staff as possible would take pupils were encouraged to get creative of the words 'empire' and
part, Ben encouraged some friendly in order to inspire others to lead an 'independence.'
active and healthy lifestyle.

Pupils and staff at ELIS pushed Jack, a Y9 EFS pupil,
themselves to the limits rising to the walked eight miles
fitness challenges set by Ben. around Alton Water,
a challenging track
that EFS pupils usually
cycle around. Well
done Jack – who
managed to walk
round in three hours!

Combining Leadership Week and
National Fitness Day, two Y11 EFS
Clacton pupils took Nurture Class as well
as some staff for a PE lesson. The prior
planning by the boys resulted in a fun
and engaging session enjoyed by all!

TCES Group Bulletin | Winter 2018 5

Young Leaders

Presenting ideas The Clacton Student Council – brilliantly
represented by Kavanagh and Harrison,
Newly-elected Student Council told the audience about the exciting
members at EFS Schools in Witham and new initiatives that the Student Council
Clacton brilliantly presented their ideas is focusing on this year – including
for the forthcoming academic year to further improvements to the outside
the staff Management Development space, improving the dining hall and a
Group (MDG) in early October. The special Halloween day at school.
pupils were also able to ask staff for
advice about their projects. At NWLIS pupils presented to a
panel, on why they should be
elected to the Student Council.

Kavanagh and Harrison from EFS Witham Student Council proudly ELIS pupils learn what it takes to
EFS Clacton Student Council. presenting their Living Landscape Award become a leader.
to the MDG (see p4) and talking about
their achievements to date.

Uniting Student Councils and damp “ It was an enjoyable and fun
weather. day and I would definitely go
On 27 November Student Councils from all TCES Group Some of again. I thought the laser tag
schools visited Stubbers Adventure Centre in Essex for them found ”was the best part of the day.
a day of team-building. This is the first of many planned it difficult not Kavanagh, EFS Clacton
cross-company Student Council benefits. It was designed being with
so that pupils would interact with each other and start
working much closer together as a united Student Council their peers at first but said that they enjoyed mixing with
across the group.
the others.

Throughout the day all pupils took part in three outdoor All the EFS Witham Student Council members absolutely
adventure activities – laser tag, archery and bell boating loved the laser tag and thought it was fantastic playing it
– in activity groups based on age, rather than school, outside in a field, reporting that staff could not believe
ensuring that participants would work together with pupils how serious they looked and how seriously they were
from other schools. taking it. They also loved the canoeing and being on the
water, saying that the weather did not spoil it for them.
“ It was a good day, I really Student Council Overall they enjoyed the day and meeting all the other
enjoyed the boating, members from Student Council members.
it was the best part of ELIS loved the day,
the day. It was nice to describing it as a NWLIS pupils thought it was a good day out and especially
meet other pupils from brilliant experience, enjoyed the Laser Tag. However they would have
”different schools. although they preferred it to be in Spring/Summer as it was too cold
Preston, EFS Clacton weren’t so happy for them! They loved getting to know the other Student
about the cold Council members and have asked for more activities and
opportunities to get together with them.

6 TCES Group Bulletin | Winter 2018

Leadership week

Following the launch of our leadership curriculum His music flows through my veins,
in June 2017, each school participated in Speaks to your mind and takes your soul,
Leadership Week from 24-28 September. The week My mind opens up like a vortex,
is designed to teach leadership skills by introducing A never ending abyss,
a variety of exciting activities for pupils. Forever falling,
Demons in my mind
We believe that by learning to understand By Tyrese
themselves, pupils develop strengths and
talents in leadership that offer benefits for the
individual, their group, the whole school and their
communities beyond TCES Group.

Every pupil from KS2 upwards now has the
opportunity to take part in leadership skills
training. Pupils progress to mentoring their peers
and to taking on leadership roles within school,
such as election to Student Council.

EFS kicked off Leadership Week events with
their Nurture Group supporting the local soup
kitchen; a combined Harvest Festival activity (see
p13). They also wrote the brilliant poems on this
page in support of their efforts to help those less
fortunate than themselves.

ELIS pupils took part in a leadership assembly,
with pupil Ali taking the lead in his role as
assembly technician.

Create London pupils learned about the leadership
roles that are available within their Student Council
and NWLIS drew inspiration from a recent visit to
their school by the sculptor Willard Wigan MBE
(see p3). Pupils also took part in Student Council
presentations and created artwork around the
concepts of leadership versus fame.

TCES Group Bulletin | Winter 2018 7

Anti-Bullying Week

NWLIS participants had been ‘harassed’ Later in the week David Pacquette, a

For NWLIS the week started with a online or had ever harassed others. two times World Champion ranked
whole school assembly to introduce The pupils were very honest and number one in Britain for Muay Thai
‘respect’ as the theme and to provided good examples of personal fighting visited NWLIS as a guest
encourage pupils to always disagree experiences. speaker. David now trains other fighters
respectfully. and is a Master in Hypnotherapy. He
When KS2 pupils discussed the topic told pupils about respect, self-discipline
During group process KS3/4 classes of respect they were split into groups and his early life.
debated the question: ‘Is it possible to and asked to ‘act out’ examples of acts
move from being a bully to a leader?’ of respect/disrespect. Mr. Ross, James
A cyberbullying workshop for the and Ridwan acted out a scenario where
same group looked at different forms a student witnessed bullying and told a
of cyberbullying, the laws behind it member of staff, while Ms. Medley and
and the harm it can cause to others. Kenza acted out a scene where they
Discussion focussed on whether weren’t sharing pens!

Liam to the rescue by and watch this happening so just beneficial. “I’m able to make the right
reacted in the way that felt right.” choices now and take responsibility.
Such is the success of the anti-bullying When I first started at EFS I used to
work at EFS Clacton, that seeing Geraldine was extremely grateful for rebel and do things like taking the
Teaching Assistant Geraldine being Liam’s support, saying, “I’m so proud teacher’s keys and hiding them.”
physically assaulted by a Y7 pupil, Liam, of Liam.”
a member of the school’s Anti-Bullying On that particular day’s events he
Council, stepped in and protected her. Liam says that being on the Student said, “Before, I would have physically
Council and attending anti-bullying tried to stop the other pupil, but I’ve
Liam had already left school for the ambassador training has been really learned now how to talk to others
day, but witnessed the younger pupil about not using bullying behaviour
refusing to get into his taxi and striking and am able to reason with them,
out at the teacher. Without hesitating, which is much better.”
he went back through the school gates
and told the pupil to stop. He used A policy used at EFS Witham, where
no force, but reasoned with the other anyone caught bullying another pupil
pupil, reminding him “that teachers is brought into the weekly Student
don’t get paid to get hit.” Council meeting to discuss their
behaviour with the members, is
Liam said “I was aware that this pupil proving a successful way to put a stop
had been hitting out at Geraldine to bullying and is to be picked up by
and other staff throughout the day. other Student Councils within TCES
Enough was enough – I couldn’t stand Group schools.

Anti-bullying week conference "I thought it helped me develop skills
necessary to combat bullying." – Callum, EFS
The pupils from all TCES Group schools who gathered
for a successful workshop on 1 November, based around Group anti-bullying slogan/hashtag and guest speakers
their roles as Anti-Bullying Ambassadors, behaved from NWLIS talking about The Diana Award. The day
impeccably and truly represented their schools in the finished with the presentation of certificates and group
best way possible. Activities included an icebreaker called photos before a well-deserved lunch.
‘stand up if...’, short and long term goal planning, looking
at different resources the Ambassadors could use in their
schools, working in small groups to create a new TCES

"I quite enjoyed my visit because of how
interesting and important anti-bullying is, so
thank you so much for giving me and others

a great experience." – Furkan, ELIS

8 TCES Group Bulletin | Winter 2018

12-16 November

ELIS Meanwhile, Aaliyah
made worry dolls
The ELIS Student Council for new pupils and
ran their own Anti-Bullying those who are sad
assembly and later in the or being bullied.
week group process was
used to discuss the topic.

Poster competition

To celebrate Anti-Bullying Week we once again invited all pupils to 1st
design posters and were delighted at both the number and quality
of the entries.

Stakeholder Engagement and Group QA Manager, Hollie Riley said, Kiarn, ELIS
“The level of the artwork alongside some very heartfelt and hard-
hitting messages has been overwhelming and all of the pupils should
be very proud.”

Here are the four winning entries and three runners-up. All seven
have been professionally printed in order to be displayed at each site
across the group. Well done all!

2nd 3rd 4th

Myles, Preston, Jonathan,
NWLIS EFS Create/
ELIS

Joe, Dillon, Chelsea,
NWLIS EFS Create/
Clacton ELIS

TCES Group Bulletin | Winter 2018 9

Parent page

Parent, pupil and Create School holds
staff workshops
first Parent Council
New for this year, we have planned a
series of parent workshops at every meeting
school, as a direct response to parents
and carers telling us what they’d Learning about knife crime at ELIS. Create School welcomed three parents
like to learn about. The first of these to its first Parent Council meeting at
workshops took place in October at Custom House on 27 November. Over
each of our schools or services, with coffee, the parents explored what a
a series of interactive and informative Parent Council is and its function.
workshops run by Only Cowards Carry
(OCC), a weapons awareness charity subject matter, were fun and They also used the opportunity to
based in Essex. engaging. Lots of volunteers from share stories about their experiences
the audience joined the presenters raising Autistic children, and became
The charity was founded in November in recreating dangerous situations, quite emotional, comforting one
2012 by Caroline Shearer in memory learning about the effects of knife another and identifying with each
of her 17 year old son Jay Whiston, wounds on the body and, most other’s pain. One mother in particular
who was fatally stabbed in September importantly, learning how to keep was very helpful, offering advice and
2012. Continually driven by the themselves safe if ever attacked by information to the others, based on
devastating loss of Jay, Caroline and someone wielding a knife. her experience raising three children
the team have worked tirelessly with special needs and having to
to promote Only Cowards Carry We were extremely pleased that overcome numerous obstacles to get
Weapons Awareness in the hope that so many parents came to join the best for her children.
young people understand the stark our pupils and staff in the first of
facts and devastating, life changing, these workshops and look forward She has agreed to be the parent lead
true reality of knife crime. to welcoming even more at the representative so she will be at the
next one, coming in the Spring forefront for the Create London Parent
During our workshops, the OCC term – watch this space for more Council. Their next meeting will be in
team worked with children, staff and information. the Spring term and all Create London
parents/carers to teach them the parents are welcome. Please contact
damage that using knives as weapons Custom House for details.
can cause, not only physically to
the victim, but emotionally and Winifred Alexander, an AOT at Create
psychologically to the families and School who organised and facilitated
friends of the victim and even to the meeting reports that the parents
the perpetrator themselves. The expressed how happy they were with
workshops, whilst a very serious the Create Service, saying they don't
know where they or their child would
be without it.
Learning self-defence at Create Service.

ELIS parents evening amazed with the level of progress his come a long way. His attendance is
son had made in such a short time, coming on... I am very happy with his
All 19 parents who had agreed to saying "I cannot believe that my son progress.... a massive change."
attend the ELIS parents evening did this. Are you sure he did all this
this term attended and found it work? God bless this school. My son Staff feedback was that: “The
engaging. Parents enjoyed discussing didn’t do any of this in his previous parents evening was extremely
their child's progress, and how best school... I can't believe this.” successful. In addition, we also
to support their child's learning at held drop-in parents’ meetings for
home, with each subject teacher. Another parent stated "I am so happy those who were unable attend the
One father was almost in tears as he with my son's progress, he has scheduled event.”
viewed his son's book. He was

Find out more: [email protected]

10 TCES Group Bulletin | Winter 2018

Unique Pathways to Learning East London

Independent School (ELIS)

Collecting IQM award and Pastoral
Care Co-
Following the award of the Inclusion Quality Mark Ordinator Leona
(IQM) in June, representatives from the school proudly Talian.
attended the official presentation ceremony at the
Institute of Directors in London’s Pall Mall in September. Both TCES Group
Accompanying Head Teacher Sandra Harrison was Y9 London-based
pupil Antony, School Improvement Partner Kevin Parker schools have
now achieved
Kevin Parker, pupil Antony and Sandra Harrison. this prestigious
award – NWLIS
Remembrance Day was awarded the
IQM in 2017.
ELIS had a busy day on 9 November – pupils spent
time making poppies, watched a Remembrance Day The IQM scheme
documentary over breakfast and held a one minute silence
in assembly. allows for the Antony with Sandra Harrison and
exploration of Leona Talian at the Institute of
all aspects of Directors in Pall Mall.
education within

the school, with the process affording a complete snapshot

of school life. The IQM award provides evidence of all the

incredible hard work that is ongoing at ELIS.

Tutor group of the week

At the end of November one of the ELIS primary classes
enjoyed an amazing celebratory breakfast after being
named ‘tutor group of the week’ for the first time. They
chose to have breakfast in school instead of going out
and were treated to a variety of healthy options.

Pupils and staff at ELIS wore their own clothes
to school on 16 November and donated £1
to Children in Need. Ali, as Treasurer of the To support World Mental Health Day all members of ELIS staff wore
Student Council, collected their donations. yellow and donated £1 each.

TCES Group Bulletin | Winter 2018 11

North West London
Independent School (NWLIS)

Successful pupil Ealing Councillor visit to NWLIS
transitions
On 13 November Katherine (Kate) her 20 years as a Councillor Kate has
Across the TCES Group we often Crawford, Councillor for East Acton, been able to make a difference to
welcome new pupils who require visited NWLIS as part of ‘Women in many families and individuals. The
support outside our core offer, so in Parliament Week’. Kate met with three girls especially enjoyed hearing about
order to ensure a successful transition pupils – Diaz, Kenza and Paris - and instances when Kate had managed to
into school they might receive spoke to them about her role for the help older members of the community
additional one-to-one funding for a Council as well as how she came to when they were experiencing
set period of time. work as a Councillor. difficulties.

We are always delighted when, Kate told the girls that, when at school, Kate’s interest in becoming a Councillor
following careful planning and intensive
intervention, these pupils no longer she didn’t think she’d have such a began after a battle to get her own son,
require one-to-one help and have
been able to ‘step down’ and transition good job as she found remembering a who is disabled, into the school she
into group learning. We are especially
delighted when this transition occurs challenge. However, she discovered a wanted him to attend. After this she
prior to the agreed time frame.
talent for drawing and was also a good started a parent group for others going
At NWLIS we’re proud to report that
staff have successfully transitioned runner. Building on this drawing talent, through similar experiences, helping
seven pupils from one-to-one
into group learning over the past Kate became a magazine designer them through tribunals and other
academic year, and that four of these
were transitioned early. This really is when she left school. She told the obstacles. A series of complicated cases
a great result.
girls how important it is for women to convinced her that with her experience
National Recycling
succeed and that if you know what you in supporting families she would serve

want and are prepared to work for it, her community well as a councillor.

it’s possible to achieve. On discovering a shared interest in art,

Responding to Diaz’s question about Kate asked whether she could return

how it feels to be a female Councillor to the school for an art session with

Kate said that it makes her feel very the girls. Diaz and Paris both brought

useful and that it’s good to be able examples of their work to show Kate,

help people solve their problems. In who was suitably impressed.

Week

NWLIS pupils took part in National Pupils lead on interviews
Recycling Week, led by Assistant
Environmental Ambassador, Every TCES Group pupil studies At NWLIS, an innovative initiative this
Ridwan. They posted information an appropriate leadership option term has been to involve pupils in staff
around the school about recycling throughout their education, as interviews for new teachers. Prior to
and used empty printing paper part of the LIFE programme. This is the interviews the pupils even came up
boxes to make their own paper supplemented by equally important with their own set of questions.
recycling boxes for each class. leadership development activities and
opportunities. Developing leadership Afterwards Diaz said, "It was good,
skills in our pupils is a challenging, actually it was very good. It was a huge
complex but vital task for the whole responsibility and normally kids like me
school team that has benefits for the wouldn't get this opportunity so I am
individual, their group, the whole proud."
school and their communities beyond
TCES Group. Romeo added, "It made me feel like I
was worth it."

Find out more: [email protected]

12 TCES Group Bulletin | Winter 2018

Unique Pathways to Learning Essex Fresh Start

Independent School (EFS)

Graduation Gwen Trapp, SEN Manager of Ryan with Head Teacher Cheryl Rutter.
Children’s Services at Thurrock
The annual EFS graduation ceremony Council, said “This evening was really A video of the graduation ceremony
at Anglia Ruskin University saw pupils, lovely and something to celebrate. can be found on our website at:
parents, staff and Local Authority The confidence in the pupils is evident www.tces.org.uk/schools/schools/
representatives gather to celebrate and they continue to progress.” essex-fresh-start-independent-
the impressive achievements of the school/efs-gallery/
24 Y11 and Y12 pupils who graduated Ryan, who graduated with a Level 1
at the end of the summer term. Many mechanics course is now attending 100% attendance
have gained places at local colleges. college to study the level 2 mechanics record!
course, with a view to gaining a
Head Teacher Cheryl Rutter praised mechanics apprenticeship. Ryan We are all extremely
pupils for their hard work in gaining said, “EFS has really helped me out. proud of Callum from
a variety of qualifications, including I’ve progressed a huge amount.” His EFS Clacton who has
GCSEs and BTECs, while CEO dad added, “I wish Ryan had started achieved 100% attendance for an
and Schools’ Proprietor Thomas here earlier. His attitude has changed entire year. Attending the school to see
Keaney described the ceremony as completely; there was no hope Callum presented with a special award,
‘inspirational’, saying how proud he before. I’m so proud of what he’s Hollie Riley, Stakeholder Engagement
was of both the pupils and staff. achieved at EFS." Manager said, “This is such a great
achievement for Callum, which shows a
Restorative Justice Pumpkin carving real commitment to learning.”
competition
All EFS pupils fully engaged in and
enjoyed an interactive Restorative The pumpkin carving competition
Justice programme led by the Youth at EFS Clacton attracted so many
Offending Service. Student Council outstanding entries that judging was
members will now receive further very challenging. However, after
training to enhance their skills. much debate, Kav took first prize, Tyn
second and Harry third.

Pupils lead Tea at the Town Hall
Harvest Festival
On 5 December EFS Clacton’s Primary
Staff at EFS Clacton are really Nurture group was invited to tea at
proud of Nurture group pupils the Town Hall with the Chairman
who demonstrated their of Tendring County Council – Mark
leadership skills by organising Platt. Pupils reported that it was
the school’s Harvest Festival exciting to meet such an important
activities. They started person and have invited him to visit
Leadership Week by giving a the school for afternoon tea.
presentation, which focussed
on Harvest Festival, and Find out more: [email protected]
produced leaflets asking staff and pupils to donate items. Later in the week
they met with a representative from the Salvation Army who collected the
donated food items for their soup kitchen.

TCES Group Bulletin | Winter 2018 13

Create School Unique Pathways to Learning

Celebrating success Joshua with Evangelia Theochari, Co-Head of Create and
Lead Clinician-Deputy Head of Inclusion.
Staff, pupils and parents gathered at Create School on 21
September to celebrate the achievements of pupils in an their efforts are enormous and against all odds. These
uplifting graduation ceremony. young people are being prepared to take over their rightful
place in our society as the young leaders of tomorrow.”
Several pupils are in the process of moving across to ELIS,
affording them the opportunity to transition back into a A video of the graduation ceremony can be found on
school environment. Other pupils were recognised for our website at: http://www.tces.org.uk/create-service/
their positive engagement and personal development create-london-graduation-ceremony-2018/
throughout the academic year. Kerrie, who achieved an
amazing A* in her Art A-level is now attending college
as well as Create Service, with the hope of completing a
university degree in the future.

Student Council representatives proudly showed groups
of parents around the site at Custom House before the
ceremony commenced in the main hall.

Evangelia Theochari, Co-Head of Create said “I am
immensely proud and very happy to see the progress
that our young people have made regardless of their
challenges. Their achievements need to be noted because

Good news postcards

Nurture group at the Barking
Therapeutic Hub have designed these
lovely school postcards that will be used
to send good news home to parents
and carers.

Remembrance Day Christmas tree

Pupils at Create School carried out an art project around Nathan got everyone
the poppy as a symbol for Remembrance Day, using into the Christmas
recycled plastic materials and plasticine. spirit early, creating this
amazing Christmas tree.
They also had a special Remembrance Day assembly and
took part in activities including war poetry in English and
a quiz won by William.

Deputy Head Teacher Dawn Jones-Wigington reported
that “The young people really enjoyed learning about it.”

14 TCES Group Bulletin | Winter 2018

In the spotlight …

Safeguarding and Child TCES Group employs more
Protection Lead, Sonia Ghaznavi than 200 staff, a diverse

Due to the growth of the TCES Authorities Educational Psychology and talented team whose
Group and the complexity Team. Within several of her roles she job roles are wide-ranging
of our pupils in school and has set up and delivered training to
especially in our Create Service, we various professional and agencies. and fascinating. Each
have recruited a new Safeguarding Her recent experience has been as member of our team makes
and Child Protection Lead, Sonia a Manager and a Service Manager
Ghaznavi. In this new role Sonia in frontline child protection teams a valuable contribution to
will have much more direct input to where she has successfully supported the effectiveness of our
Designated Safeguarding Teams and failing teams through Ofsted schools.
will also lead on Safeguarding Case inspections.
Work in all our schools and services. protection, coupled with an
Sonia brings to the TCES Group a understanding of the complexities
A qualified Social Worker, Sonia has number of transferable skills and and difficulties that schools face
been working in Child Protection and extensive knowledge of child when safeguarding their pupils
within therapeutic settings for 19 and their staff. At the heart of her
years. She has a degree in Psychology practice, Sonia maintains a focus
and an MSc in Social Work. She on the child being at the centre of
has also undertaken a Diploma in all safeguarding matters and will
Occupational Studies and worked as endeavour to support the TCES
part of therapeutic teams, including Group to continue to place our
The Priory and CAMHS using various children at the heart of what we do.
therapeutic interventions and
models. Sonia also worked as a Social Owing to Sonia’s extensive
Worker/Inclusion Manager within experience in working with Care
schools and as part of a Behaviour Experienced People, also known
Improvement Team for the Local as Children In Care or Looked After
Children, she will lead on a new
TCES Group project on embedding a
support project for Children in Care.

Continual improvement of our sites New safety surface

In line with our philosophy of continual surface on its outside play area next Here’s an image of the new safety
development we are currently term). surface at EFS Clacton, requested by
concentrating on improvements to our the Student Council. We think it looks
Custom House site, which now houses Inside the building, work is currently great, pity the sky wasn’t as blue!
the majority of our Create Service underway to create a brand new
London staff and pupils. purpose built commercial kitchen.
This is being designed for use both
Our front cover image shows how by the professional chef to prepare
pupils’ artwork has been reproduced healthy meals for staff and pupils,
and used effectively as fence panels and also as a state-of-the-art teaching
around the playground, providing kitchen for pupils.
a colourful and appealing outdoor
space. This area will also be further Meanwhile, the smaller Barking site
developed next term, when a new that has already been redeveloped
blue safety surface, similar to that in for use by Create Service will
Clacton, will be installed. (NWLIS is continue to be used primarily as a
also to benefit from the new safety Therapeutic Hub.

TCES Group Bulletin | Winter 2018 15

Winning Christmas cards

TCES Group’s annual Christmas card competition has once again produced some fantastic designs. Well
done to our five winners, whose designs have been printed and turned into professionally produced
Christmas cards!

Charlie, NWLIS Shaquille, ELIS

Joshua, Create

Caden, EFS Clacton

Staff members of the year Kenzie, EFS

Congratulations to the following, who were announced as our
staff members of the year at the annual staff Christmas party,
following a vote by colleagues at each school or site.

Joel AELuISgustus ElaEiFnSeWRitheanmker

MichNaWelLDIS avies JaCnenetrMal Saecrkvinceesy
AnnEeFSACllaecxtoannder RCiraeaRteicSchhaorodl s

Create Barking
Daniel Mascia & Amy Kent (tied)

16 TCES Group Bulletin | Winter 2018