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Welcome to the Pathways Project
The Pathways Project is an Alternative Education Project (AEP) which aims to work with those young people who have been excluded, or have disengaged from mainstream education.
The project arose out of action based research carried out in 1997/98 with a target group which included pupils suspended from mainstream education and those refusing to attend mainstream schools.
The key findings from listening to these young people identified a need to broaden the education offered, and to include opportunities for vocational guidance and work placements for pupils no longer in mainstream education or those who would benefit from additional support.
The Pathways Project was piloted over the two year period of 1998 – 2000 and with positive independent evaluations which identified good practice and effective service delivery, has become an integral part of Extern’s Children’s Services.
The need for alternative education, specifically in regard to truancy and exclusion is not unique to Northern Ireland. Research into this particular problem conducted by New Philanthropy Capital states:
“Despite government effort, there is still a significant failing by government to tackle this issue adequately. In part this is because the issues are complicated and help is needed from communities and the charitable sector” (2005)
Pathways aim is to “provide an alternative, balanced and broad based education and training programme for young people who are at risk of educational and social exclusion”. Our primary targets are to engage the identified young peope in a positive learning experience and prepare them, in terms of personal, social and employability skills. for further education, training or employment.
The project works in partnership with schools to ensure that young people recruited to the programme are those who:
- do not achieve at Key Stage 3;
- have poor attendance and/or behaviour in school;
- are likely to leave school with no formal qualifications;
- are likely to drop out all together (i.e. will not make the transition from school to employment/further education/jobskills training).
A maximum of 36 young people a year are enrolled and success is measured in terms of engagement, retention qualifications and personal development. Targets are jointly agreed with the young people and monitored in relation to learning outcomes and personal progress in Pathways, the family and the wider community.
