People and progress remain visible
Up to 16 pupils attend at one time, helping staff notice participation, welfare, individual progress and what needs to change.
About pathways
Why pathways exists, who is involved and where to find us.
pathways was created for the point when attendance begins to change but school is still an active part of a pupil's educational week.
Why it exists
More time to understand what is getting in the way.
Attendance can become harder gradually. Anxiety, reduced confidence, negative experiences, changing routines or other barriers can lead a pupil to miss increasing amounts of education.
pathways offers a smaller, structured setting for part of the week while education and the relationship with school remain visible. The aim is to strengthen routines, confidence and practical strategies before absence becomes more deeply established.
How we work
What “small, clear and connected” means in practice.
Predictable structure and honest boundaries
Pupils know how the day works. Schools and families know what pathways provides, what remains with school and how decisions are made.
One pupil, one wider educational week
School, family, pupil and pathways agree the plan and consider progress across both settings.
From Gateshead, for the North East
Built on education experience, not started from scratch.
pathways is part of National Learning Group. Before opening this provision, the team had already spent years helping pupils learn through tutoring, working with families, building a large tutor community and developing the systems that make education support safe, organised and personal.
The people behind pathways know the area and understand the reality of working alongside local schools. That matters: schools can have a proper conversation with a team that understands education as well as the local context.
Explore National Learning Group (opens in a new tab)Who is involved
The roles around a pathways placement.
Named contacts, safeguarding arrangements and the professionals working directly with the pupil are confirmed before a placement begins.
Real staff portraits and approved role biographies will be added here when the pathways team photography is available.
Education and pupil support
Runs the day, supports learning and attendance work, and records useful observations.
The link to the wider week
Coordinates information, school attendance expectations, reviews and the next-step plan.
Voice, context and practical feedback
Help shape the programme, identify what matters and explain what feels useful or difficult.
National Learning Group · Gateshead
Based at Metrocentre East Business Park.
pathways is at Unit 2A, Metrocentre East Business Park, Waterside Drive, Gateshead, NE11 9HU.
The provision sits alongside National Learning Group’s wider education services. pathways remains part-time supplementary support; the pupil’s school remains their main education provider.
Next step
Talk to pathways about the current attendance picture.
Schools can refer a pupil. Families and young people can contact the team or ask their school about a visit.