When Thomas Keaney formed The Complete Education System (TCES) in 1999 he had one simple but powerful goal: to make sure that children and young people who had been left behind by the mainstream systems got the support they needed to thrive.

This November marks 25 years’ of TCES and our CEO, Thomas Kearney has reflected on his journey to date and why he remains so passionately committed to supporting young SEND individuals.

“What began as a modest venture, driven by a firm belief that every young person has potential, has grown into an organisation that I am immensely proud of today. From just one client, TCES has transformed the lives of over 3,000 neurodiverse pupils. This is a significant milestone that speaks to our team’s dedication and our pupils’ resilience.

As we celebrate 25 years of TCES, I’m honoured to reflect on how far we’ve come and excited about where we’re headed.

The TCES Journey

In the late 1990s, I saw a critical gap in the education and care sectors. Pupils with complex needs were too often marginalised, excluded from mainstream education, and unsupported. I established Transitional Care Ltd. in 1999, supporting one young person at a time, determined to provide the care and education they deserved. Balancing this mission with financial stability was challenging; I worked as a mini-cab driver at night to keep things afloat, but that vision kept me going.

Fast-forward to 2000 and Transitional Care Ltd had transformed to The Complete Education System or was TCES established to run alongside it? This jump from Transitional Care Ltd to TCES isn’t explained leaves a gap. Please can you add this or provide some information so I can weave it in? TCES was providing one-to-one education packages for excluded and non-attending pupils, and it became clear that our services were not only valuable but necessary. We didn’t just deliver education; we integrated holistic care to support the emotional and developmental needs of each young person, ensuring they had a safe, supportive environment.

Building Partnerships and Earning Trust (2001-2006)

In the early 2000s, TCES successfully won the tender to partner with Local Authorities like Barking & Dagenham, Brent, and Hertfordshire to run emergency education projects. These projects were designed to meet the immediate needs of pupils who had nowhere else to go.

During this period, we developed our own curriculum—covering Academic and Vocational learning, Therapeutic support, Engagement, and Enrichment—to create a well-rounded, supportive experience. By 2005, we had secured a long-term contract with Essex County Council and opened our first Independent Special Day School, marking our transition from emergency support to a stable and sustainable education model.

Expanding Across London (2008-2014)

2008 was a pivotal year for TCES. We launched TCES North West London School and in 2009 we opened our TCES East London school, offering therapeutic support that reflected the needs of our students and community. 2008 also saw TCES hold our first graduation ceremony, a moment that has since become a tradition celebrating each and every pupil’s achievements and growth.

By 2014, we had launched CREATE Services marking a new chapter to support young people with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) and Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, expanding our commitment to inclusion.

Innovating and Adapting (2015-2020)

In 2016, we opened our Create in the Community Hub in Barking, providing support directly within local communities. In 2018, I was honoured to welcome Dame Esther Rantzen as our patron; her commitment to children’s welfare aligned beautifully with our vision and we wholly welcomed her support.

That same year, we launched the Alumni Mentor Scheme, enabling former pupils to become mentors, a powerful initiative that reflects the lifelong impact of TCES.  One such example of this positive journey of change is our Alumni Mentor, Maison.

Before joining TCES in 2017 he was suffering severe difficulties with social interaction and had been out of on-site education for over 5 years. During his time with us he experienced several therapeutic strategies to support his educational journey, also receiving travel training thanks to his teaching assistant.

In January 2021 Maison became a full-time member of TCES staff, having transformed during his time with us. He discovered a passion for music, mentoring children and developed an interest in family counselling, trauma care and bridging the gap between schools and families. Now adept at communicating with staff and pupils, Maison is a valued key support member who has transformed from a secluded student into a confident young man

Continuing to Innovate and Expand (2020-2024)

2020 saw us launch our National Online School, enabling us to reach pupils wherever they were. During a global pandemic this initiative was particularly crucial in ensuring their support continued during these unprecedented challenging times.

In 2021, we opened TCES Nurture Primary (formerly Create Primary), which provides a foundation for younger students. Then in 2022, we officially opened our North West London Post-16 Therapy Hub & Café, a very proud moment that showcased our commitment to community integration and one which was celebrated alongside local dignitaries.

And we haven’t slowed down! In 2024 we reached several new incredible milestones. Our National Online School became the first DfE-accredited special school, a recognition that reaffirms our dedication to quality education for neurodiverse pupils. We also launched our TCES Training Academy for Therapeutic Education and Great Minds Therapy Services to deepen our expertise and broaden the support we can offer.

A Legacy of Resilience and Inclusion

As I look back, it’s truly remarkable how far we’ve come. TCES’s “no exclusion” policy has been our cornerstone from the very start and it is a promise we have upheld, with no student excluded to date.

We’ve always believed that every young person deserves a chance to succeed, and we never give up on any pupil, no matter how complex their needs may be. This ethos has allowed us to grow from a small social enterprise to a wider network of schools and outreach services, each supporting thousands of lives.

Reflecting on the last 25 years has filled me with gratitude for the dedicated TCES team and for every young person we’ve been privileged to support. The journey hasn’t always been easy, but our mission has remained constant: to move pupils from isolation to independence. It is a mission that we have succeeded on but is by no means complete.

So here’s to the next 25 years of transforming lives, breaking down barriers, and proving that every child can reach their potential with the right support. A huge thank you from the bottom of my heart to each and every one of you who has helped us along the way. TCES is very much a team effort and I am excited to begin our next chapter.

To find out more about TCES visit www.tces.org.uk.