Whilst at Demos, Tom worked on the Families and Care Programme on a project for the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation looking at the ways that changes can be made in local authorities to make a positive difference to help not in education employment or training young people and to increase parental involvement to enhance pupil learning.

He graduated from the University of Durham with a First Class BSc. in Natural Sciences. The title of the degree reflects his science A-levels, and first year mathematics and chemistry studies. However, he spent most of his degree studying history of science, philosophy, and geography. In particular he specialised in the history of geology - in particular the celebrated female geologist Mary Anning - and in the engagement between geography and philosophy.