Curriculum Policy

Overview

Policy Statement

Beyond Barriers Pathways CIC is committed to delivering a flexible, inclusive and personalised curriculum that supports vulnerable young people aged 16–24 to develop the skills, confidence, independence and resilience needed to progress into adulthood, education, employment and the wider community.

As a specialist post-16 SEMH, employability and supported internship provision, we recognise that many young people accessing our provision may have experienced barriers to education including anxiety, trauma, exclusion, disrupted education, autism, SEMH needs or difficulties engaging within traditional educational settings.

Our curriculum is therefore designed to be:

Trauma-informed
Relationship-based
Individualised
Practical and meaningful
Aspirational and outcome-focused

The curriculum supports young people to re-engage positively with learning while developing employability, life skills, emotional wellbeing and preparation for adulthood outcomes.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to:

Outline the curriculum vision and intent of Beyond Barriers Pathways CIC.
Ensure the curriculum meets the needs of vulnerable young people.
Promote progression into education, employment, training and adulthood.
Support emotional wellbeing, engagement and personal development.
Ensure learning opportunities are inclusive, relevant and aspirational.

Curriculum Intent

The Beyond Barriers Pathways CIC curriculum aims to:

Rebuild confidence and engagement in learning.
Support emotional regulation, resilience and wellbeing.
Develop independence and life skills.
Improve employability skills and career aspirations.
Prepare young people for adulthood and community participation.
Promote positive relationships and social development.
Provide meaningful vocational and community-based experiences.
Reduce barriers to education, employment and training.

The curriculum recognises that success may look different for each young person and focuses on personalised progress and long-term outcomes.

Curriculum Structure

The curriculum is personalised according to:

EHCP outcomes
Individual strengths and interests
SEMH and wellbeing needs
Aspirations and career goals
Learning styles and barriers
Risk assessments and support needs

Provision may include:

Functional Skills
Entry Level Certificate
GCSE support where appropriate
ASDAN programmes
AQA Unit Awards
Employability and careers education
Life skills
Preparation for adulthood
Community engagement
Work experience and volunteering
Supported internships
Wellbeing and SEMH support
Communication and social skills
Independence and travel training
Creative and practical learning opportunities

Timetables are flexible and designed around individual need, engagement and progression.

Teaching & Learning Approach

Beyond Barriers Pathways CIC adopts a:

Trauma-informed
Relational
Restorative
Nurturing
Flexible

approach to teaching and learning.

Staff recognise that many young people may have experienced:

Educational trauma
School avoidance
Anxiety
Low self-esteem
Social difficulties
Negative educational experiences

Learning therefore prioritises:

Positive relationships
Emotional safety
Engagement
Trust and consistency
Real-life relevance
Small-group and individual support

Young people are encouraged to:

Develop confidence and independence
Take ownership of goals
Explore aspirations
Celebrate progress and achievement

Qualifications & Accreditation

Beyond Barriers Pathways CIC offers flexible accreditation pathways appropriate to learner need and progression, including:

ASDAN programmes
AQA Unit Awards
Entry Level certificate
Functional Skills
GCSE support where appropriate
Employability certificates
Vocational and enrichment awards

Staff have extensive experience delivering, moderating and certificating qualifications including ASDAN and AQA programmes.

Accreditation pathways are selected to:

Promote success and confidence
Recognise achievement
Support progression
Develop employability and independence skills

Employability & Preparation for Adulthood

Preparation for adulthood is central to the curriculum.

Young people are supported to develop:

Workplace skills
Communication skills
Teamwork
Confidence
Independence
Problem-solving
Community participation
Career aspirations

The curriculum includes opportunities such as:

Supported internships
Employer encounters
Workplace visits
Volunteering
Community projects
Work experience placements

Placements are carefully matched to young people’s interests, aspirations and support needs.

SEMH & Wellbeing Support

Beyond Barriers Pathways CIC recognises that emotional wellbeing underpins successful engagement and progress.

The curriculum promotes:

Emotional literacy
Self-regulation
Resilience
Healthy relationships
Confidence-building
Positive coping strategies

Staff use relational and trauma-informed approaches to support engagement and emotional safety.

Careers Education & Guidance

Young people receive impartial careers guidance and employability support appropriate to their aspirations and needs.

Support may include:

Careers exploration
CV writing
Interview preparation
Workplace expectations
Application support
Goal setting
Transition planning

Sarah Harris is a qualified Level 6 Careers Lead and experienced job coach, supporting high-quality careers education and progression planning across the provision.

Assessment & Progress Monitoring

Assessment is personalised and focused on individual progress.

Baseline assessments may consider:

Academic starting points
SEMH needs
Confidence and engagement
Independence skills
Employability readiness

Progress is monitored through:

Reviews
EHCP outcomes
Accreditation
Attendance and engagement
Employability skills development
Wellbeing and confidence indicators

Progress is shared appropriately with:

Young people
Parents/carers
Commissioners
Professionals

Inclusion & Accessibility

The curriculum is designed to be accessible and inclusive.

Reasonable adjustments may include:

Flexible timetables
Adapted resources
Individual support
Sensory considerations
Alternative methods of communication
Community-based learning environments

The organisation aims to remove barriers and ensure all young people can participate meaningfully.

Safeguarding Within the Curriculum

Safeguarding is embedded throughout the curriculum, including:

Online safety
Healthy relationships
Emotional wellbeing
Community safety
Employability expectations
PREVENT awareness where appropriate

Staff maintain professional boundaries and create safe, supportive learning environments.

Partnerships & Community Learning

Beyond Barriers Pathways CIC works collaboratively with:

Employers
Community organisations
Commissioners
Families
External professionals

to provide meaningful and aspirational opportunities for young people.

Community-based learning and partnerships support:

Social inclusion
Employability
Confidence
Preparation for adulthood

Monitoring & Review

The curriculum is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains:

Relevant
Inclusive
Aspirational
Responsive to learner needs
Aligned with local and national priorities

Feedback from learners, families, employers and commissioners informs ongoing development.

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner where:

Guidance changes
Provision changes
Curriculum developments require updates

Related Policies

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy
Attendance Policy
Behaviour & SEMH Policy
Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy
Careers Education Policy
Health & Safety Policy

Policy Information

Policy Owner: Beyond Barriers Pathways CIC Directors
Approved By: Rebecca Cox & Sarah Harris
Review Frequency: Annually
Date Approved: June 2026
Review Date: June 2027