Education Centres
An important update on our Education Centre provision:
The TLG journey began in 1999 and since then we have been developing our approaches and expertise to best meet the needs of struggling children across the UK. Over the last 24 years, we’ve all seen that so much has changed for children and young people and the world that they live in.
Particularly since the pandemic, the number of children with complex needs has increased at an unprecedented rate. We know for a growing number, this new level of need requires deeper and longer-lasting one-to-one support. We have therefore made the decision that the TLG Education Centre model is no longer the most effective or scalable way to reach and support these children. As a result, we have sadly concluded that TLG Education Centres will not be part of the long-term future of the charity beyond the 2022/2023 academic year.
Since October we have been working with staff, church partners and schools to support successful transitions for the 80 young people who have been attending our Education Centres this academic year. We are also extremely pleased that after a period of consultation, five centres will be continuing to provide alternative education through a range of Christian partnerships.
Looking to the future for TLG, this strategic decision will enable us to make a significant and innovative response to the needs that we are encountering: helping a greater number of churches to support children and young people more effectively. Underpinned by our therapeutic expertise, we will build on the success of our Early Intervention and Make Lunch programmes, through which we are already helping 4650 children and young people a year, in partnership with over 230 churches. Our focus will be the development of both new and existing ways to support the emotional, relational and practical challenges faced by children and young people today.
On behalf of the students TLG has been able to support over the years through our Education Centres, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our church partners, committed staff, volunteers and supporters. Whether you’ve been on this journey with us for 20 years or a few months, your investment in the lives of these struggling children will have an impact for generations to come. Your heart to see every child given hope and a future is such an encouragement to us. At this difficult time for children in our nation, we are passionate about making the biggest impact possible. Thank you for your continued support and prayers, as together, we transform lives for good.
Updated: 04/04/2023
We know there's no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to education. TLG Education Centres enable churches to bring vital support for disadvantaged and excluded young people at crisis point in education.
Across the UK, there are children facing issues such as family breakdown, bereavement, drug and alcohol abuse, bullying, poverty, gang culture, mental or other illness, lack of parental support and many other distressing circumstances. It’s seldom possible for a young person to battle through any of these without their education taking the damaging toll.
TLG Education Centres offer a lifeline, giving young people the chance to catch up on missed qualifications, raise their aspirations and provide building blocks for a better life.
As a Christian charity, our church-based education centres offer a safe and nurturing place for young people to learn; they’re places where young people are valued, cared for and their potential is championed. We’re passionate about seeing young people return to mainstream school, progress on to college or find work because of the support available at TLG.
Volunteers from the church also play a valuable role in reaching out to support the families of the young people at the Centre.
What has changed is our child’s ability to cope. They are happier and managing far better now than they ever did at any stage in their previous school lives. Our thanks to TLG. They changed our child’s life. - TLG young person's mum
At the heart of each of our Education Centres is a belief in the potential of young people. We’re determined to see young people flourish and achieve, despite their school history. Marcel’s story is just one of the hundreds of lives we’ve transformed.
Marcel's Story
TLG Wakefield
"The ethos of the school is one of valuing and caring for everyone. The school is small and nurturing. Pupils are happy at this school and feel safe."
- 2019 Ofsted Report
TLG Bradford
"Pupils benefit from strong relationships with staff. This is an unequivocal strength of the school. Staff know the pupils and their individual barriers and needs exceptionally well."
- 2019 Ofsted Report
TLG Nottingham
"Staff show consideration and sensitivity towards the unique characteristics of each pupil. They have a shared understanding of how to address the needs of disadvantaged and vulnerable pupils. Pupils rapidly learn to respond positively to the expectations and support of the staff."
- 2018 Ofsted Report
TLG West London
"The headteacher and proprietor have created a warm and welcoming school environment where a caring culture across the school is palpable. Staff know the pupils very well and want them to succeed."
- 2018 Ofsted Report
