The programme
What a Pathways placement includes.
A 12-week placement gives pupils two or three structured Pathways days alongside their continued school week.
- 2 or 3 days each week
- 9:20am to 2:30pm daily pattern
- KS3 and KS4 pupils
The school week
How Pathways fits alongside a pupil’s school week.
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01
Agree the weekly pattern
The school, pupil, family and pathways agree whether the placement is for two or three days and which days work best. The decision takes account of:
- the pupil’s current attendance and timetable
- lessons, relationships or transitions that are particularly difficult
- support already in place and the outcomes everyone wants to achieve
- the school days and connections that are important to maintain
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02
Keep school involved
The placement is not a black box. The pupil remains on their school roll and the school remains their main education provider.
- Targets and intended outcomes are agreed with school before the programme begins.
- Attendance is confirmed to school at 10am on every pathways day.
- Regular updates cover engagement, progress and barriers identified through the work.
- School shares how the pupil is managing there, so reviews reflect their whole week.
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03
Set an individual focus
The same daily structure can serve a different purpose for each pupil. Before starting, the shared plan records:
- the pupil’s starting point and the barriers being addressed
- attendance, engagement and individually agreed targets
- the balance of English, maths, intervention and project work
- review points, communication arrangements and intended next steps
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04
Agree the practical arrangements
Nothing practical should be left unclear on day one. The placement discussion confirms:
- who will arrange and take responsibility for daily transport
- arrival, collection and the named contacts for any changes
- packed lunch or another agreed food arrangement, including dietary needs
- clothing, equipment, phones, welfare information and what the pupil should bring
Transport and food are agreed for each placement and should not be assumed to be automatically provided by pathways.
Before the first day
A visit comes before the programme begins.
Where appropriate, the pupil, parent or carer and a school representative visit pathways. This gives everyone a chance to see the space, ask practical questions and contribute to the plan. Who accompanies the pupil on their first day is then agreed as part of those individual arrangements.
A helping hand, not a replacement school. NLG Pathways provides part-time supplementary support. The pupil’s school remains their main education provider throughout the programme.
Example daily timetable
The full timetable for a Pathways day.
Example daily plan
A familiar start gives pupils time to arrive, settle and understand the plan for their day. Attendance is shared with school at 10am so the school knows the pupil is safely on site.
What this can involve English work is planned at a manageable level to maintain learning habits and rebuild classroom confidence. Pupils can practise starting a task, sustaining attention, asking for help and completing an achievable piece of work.
What this can involve Led by pathways staff, intervention gives pupils structured time to understand what makes attendance or engagement difficult. It may explore routines, relationships, particular lessons, transitions, anxiety or confidence, then help pupils recognise triggers and practise useful strategies.
What this can involve Maths maintains core learning and gives pupils the experience of working through an achievable task with support. Work is pitched to the pupil’s starting point, with the exact focus and any links to school learning agreed through the placement.
What this can involve A personal project turns a genuine interest into research, planning and making. It creates ownership and a visible outcome that can be shared or showcased while developing organisation, communication, independence, problem-solving and resilience.
The final session is led by pathways staff. Pupils review something specific they managed that day, then finish with a calmer shared activity or individual choice. Useful progress and barriers can be included in the regular update to school.
2026/27 working calendar
Pathways term dates.
Pathways operates during term time. Schools should confirm placement dates in the individual agreement.
Autumn1 September–23 October
2 November–18 December
Spring4 January–12 February
22 February–25 March
Summer12 April–28 May
7 June–16 July
