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  • Pathways to Success and Life Beyond Meadow

    At Meadow High School we provide an education that will enable every young person to achieve their best outcomes during their time at Meadow and when they transition on from the school. 

    We call this ‘Life Beyond Meadow’. 

    Based on our experience in teaching and supporting young people with complex learning disabilities, we have identified two ‘Pathways’ for pupils in years 7-11 that we feel best enables the aspiration above. 

    Pupils in years 12-14 then progress to a Life-Skill Pathway, a Vocational Pathway or a Hybrid Pathway.

    Before a pupil transitions into Meadow High School we gather as much information as possible to help us identify which Pathway may best meet the pupil’s needs. 

    As pupils grow, learn and develop, a different Pathway may become more appropriate. We will always ensure that pupils are following the most appropriate Pathway, reviewing this at least annually.

    The document below provides an outline of these pathways and suggests potential outcomes for pupils based on the experiences of previous students. There may be some terms and acronyms that you are unfamiliar with so we have provided a glossary at the end of the document to assist you.

     

    Pathways to Success at Meadow High School

    Years
    7-11

    Pathways to success

    Pathway 1 

    (currently at Royal lane, moving to Northwood Road 2025 / 2026 TBC)

    Pathway 2

    How pupils will be taught 

    Tutor group based, themed learning in key stage vertical groups.

    Year 7: 70% class based with Form Tutor.

    Year 8: 50% class based with Form Tutor.

    Year 9 and above: ‘Secondary’ model, moving about the school to subject specialist teachers / rooms.

    Class size 

    Maximum 8 pupils

    1 teacher

    2-3 teaching assistants

    Maximum 10 pupils

    1 teacher

    1 teaching assistant

    How progress is measured

    Teacher assessments

    PLIMs 

    EfL 

    SCERTS

    Internal and external accreditation

    Teachers assessments

    PLIMs

    EfL 

    SCERTS

    Internal and external accreditation

    Accreditation 

    (external accreditation will only be sought where this is in alignment with a pupil’s learning and development needs)

    School based certificates and recognition.

    KS4 students work towards Entry Level Maths qualification.

    Duke of Edinburgh Awards Bronze / Silver

    AQA Unit Awards

    Entry Level Maths (AQA)

    Entry Level English (AQA) 

    Entry Level Science (OCR)

    NVQ

    NCFE

    Functional Skills Level 1 Maths

    Functional Skills English (Entry Level - Level 1 )

    Dance Leadership L1-3

    Dance Leadership Go Lead

    AQA Dance 

    Duke of Edinburgh Bronze / Silver

    Pre-Entry / Entry Level 2 Signalong for Learners

     

        Life-skills
    pathway
    Hybrid
    pathway
    Vocational pathway        
    Years 12-13 Description
    of provision

    Core subjects: English, Maths, Computing, PSHCE, RSHE, Vocational, Life Skills, Community Access and Duke of Edinburgh.   

    We prepare our young people to be adults who have the functional and independence skills to live meaningful, fulfilled, happy lives. 

    Pupils have weekly PSHCE, Life Skills and Community Access lessons, some pupils will access Entry Level Maths and English Accreditations.  

    We teach and provide opportunities for our young people to develop hobbies and interests that support their future. We have Duke of Edinburgh lessons where pupils work through the Bronze, Silver and Gold levels of the award. This develops new skills, opportunities, experiences and hobbies which pupils take with them post Meadow. 

    Working across the curriculum and their time in school, pupils will be supported to develop their ability to self advocate and self regulate. 

    Where appropriate for the individual, pupils attend work experience placements, such as care home, allotments, farms, where they further develop skills such as communication, teamwork, time management and problem solving.  

     

     

    The Hybrid model selects  from both the Life-Skills and Vocational Pathways to create a bespoke provision that best meets the needs of the individual or group it is intended for. 

    - Core subjects: English, Maths, PSHCE RSHE,
    Reading Intervention

     

    - Option subjects: 

    Signalong 

    Science  GCSE,  

    Art And Design GCSE, 

    Art non accredited , 

    Construction Entry L3 to L1,

    Food Tech Accredited and non accredited, 

    Music, 

    Hairdressing Entry 3 - L1,

    Enterprise, 

    Resistant Materials         

    Health And Social Care L1

    Resistant Materials         

    Health And Social Care L1

    - College link

    - Enrichment

    - WEX and VP 

    - Vocational Pathways 

    Reception-Admin / TA 
    Site / PE assistant           

    Library / Car wash-valet
    Community service / Cleaning 

    Animal care / Team enterprise

    Retail / Construction
    Ground keeping / Childcare 

    Catering / Elderly care 

    Hairdressing / Sports employability 

    Bike maintenance.            

    Class size 

    Maximum 8 pupils

    1 teacher

    2 teaching assistants

     

    Maximum 12 pupils

    1 teacher

    1 teaching assistant

    How progress is measured

    Teacher assessment

    PLIMs 

    EfL

    SCERTS

    External Accreditations 

     

    Teacher assessment

    PLIMs 

    BKSB

    EfL 

    External Accreditations 

    Rubrics

    Job coach’s assessment 

    Accreditation

    AQA Entry Level Maths

    Edexcel Entry Level English

    Duke of Edinburgh Award

     

    Level 1 Health & Social Care

    Hairdressing City & Guilds ELC + Level 1

    Maths GCSE

    Maths Functional Skills L1-2

    English Functional Skills L1 

    Food Hygiene L1 and 2 

    Year 14 Description
    of provision

    The key learning is a continuation of Year 12 and 13 with an additional focus on making a successful transition.

    School based accreditation

    Some students may work towards Entry Level Maths and Entry Level English qualifications.  

    Duke of Edinburgh Awards 

     

     

    The school now has entry criteria for Year 14
    Pathway 2. 

    Most pupils will move onto one of the following options at the end of Year 13. 

    • a supported internship either with
      Meadow High school or other
      providers.
    • a college provision.
    • straight into employment or further
      training.

    It is anticipated that Year 14 will not
    be an option for Pathway 2 pupils
    from 2028.

     

    Typical outcomes    

    This table shows some typical outcomes for our pupils when they complete their time at Meadow.  However, it is important to remember that all pupils are individual so this is only a rough guide.



     

    Life 
    Beyond
    Meadow

    Pathways to success

    Pathway 1

    Pathway 2

    Decision making

    Supported to advocate for themselves

    Supported to advocate for themselves in certain circumstances

    Living

    Supported living with limited independence skills

    Supported independent or semi-independent living

    Relationships

    Able to form and continue relationships with support

    Able to form relationships independently and continue them with support

    Travel

    Ability to access the community safely with support

    Independent traveller to school / familiar places

    Money

    Will need a high level of  support

    Supported to  manage their own finances 

    Literacy

    Will need a high level of support

    Will require some support with forms and applications

    Communication

    May need support to communicate 

    An effective communicator in most situations

    Destinations

    Specialist 19-25 provision

    Supported internships / Project Search/ Employment/ College 

    As stated above, this shows some typical outcomes. Please be assured that your child will be supported as an individual to achieve their aspirations and potential.

     

    Glossary

    Term

    Definition

    Accreditation

    The acknowledgment of achievement or being able to perform a particular activity. External accreditation would traditionally be things like GCSE’s ASDAN etc. Where external accreditation is not deemed to meet pupil’s learning and development needs, progress and success will be internally accredited and acknowledged by Meadow High School.

    Apprenticeship 

    Employment which has college released learning days.

    BKSB

    Basic Key Skills Builder: an online electronic Functional Skills platform that assesses the current level of competence in Maths, English and ICT and makes a bespoke learning package for pupils.

    BTEC

    Business, Technology, Educational Council: an assessment system that assesses subject knowledge against national standards.

    College Link 

    Pupils who may go on to attend Uxbridge College attend the College for a small part of each week to familiarise themselves with the setting, teaching style, support and available courses. 

    Core Subjects 

    Subject learning that is studied by all pupils. At Meadow this includes Literacy/English, Numeracy/Maths, ICT, Religious Studies, World of Work.

    Destinations

    Where pupils may go and what they may do after their education at Meadow is complete.

    D of E

    The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme:  There are four sections to complete at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold. They involve helping the community/environment, becoming fitter, developing new skills, planning, training for and completing an expedition and, for Gold only, working with a team on a residential activity.

    Enrichment 

    Learning that pupils can opt to participate in simply because they are interested in the subject. This broadens and enriches their learning experience and has a positive impact on their attitude to education.

    GCSE

    General Certificate of Secondary Education:  an assessment system that assesses subject knowledge against national standards.

    Independent traveller

    A pupil who can undertake training to learn to make the journey to and from school independently.  

    NVQ

    National Vocational Qualification: an assessment system that assesses subject knowledge against national standards.

    PLIMs

    Personalised Learning Intention Maps: a framework that is individual to the child and is based on their unique learning and development needs.

    Program of Study

    A means of tracking progress in English and Maths.

    Project Search

    A supported internship program run by Meadow High School at the Marriott Hotel Heathrow.

    Provision

    How the school intends to meet pupil’s educational needs.

    SCERTS

    Social Communication Emotional Regulation Transactional Supports: a framework which allows staff to make a baseline assessment and monitor progress towards good social communication and emotional regulation (behaviour).

    Secondary model

    Pupils will transition to different subject teachers and classrooms throughout the day. Most pupils following this model will have English or Maths as well as PSHCE with their From Tutor.

    Semi-independent living 

    Pupils who are able to move out of home but require support with some aspects of living.

    Semi-independent traveller

    A pupil who may be able to make certain familiar journeys without support but would require support for other journeys.

    SILSAF

    Specialist Independent Living Skills Assessment Framework: a framework which allows staff to baseline and monitor progress towards the skills needed for life. Key areas of learning: Independent travel; Kitchen skills; Work based learning; Home management and Accessing the community.

    Specialist 19-25 provision

    Pupils with an EHCP can receive education up to the age of 25. A specialist provision would meet the needs of a pupil requiring greater support.

    Specialist subjects

    Subjects which could require access to specialist learning environments, equipment or teachers with specialist knowledge or qualifications. This may vary according to the Pathway a child is following.

    At Meadow these may include: PE; Science; Food Technology; Resistant Materials; Art; Music; Dance.

    Supported internships

    A year’s work based training placement, supported by job coaches. The placement takes place at the work location, not on site at Meadow. Pupils complete a range of work related learning and are supported to identify, apply for and interview for full time paid employment.

    Supported living

    The expectation is that pupils requiring supported living will need to live with or be highly supervised by an adult. They will require support with most aspects of living.

    Themed learning

    Themed learning lessons are taught by the form tutor and are based around topics which change half termly. A bespoke curriculum has been designed to meet the needs of the Pathway 1 pupils. The subjects are embedded within themes which allows a focus on life-skills, enabling the students to be more independent and learn about the world around them. The subjects covered include: History; PSHCE; Geography; RE,;Technology; ICT and MFL. 

    Transitions

    Moving from one place or activity to another.

    Tutor group based

    Pupils spend the majority of their learning time in their tutor room being taught by their form tutor. This reduces the number of 

    transitions the pupil is required to make throughout the day.

    Vocational qualification 

    A qualification that is specifically job related eg hairdressing, construction etc.

    VP 

    Vocational Pathways, designed to equip students with practical skills and experiences that enhance their employability and prepare them for life beyond school. These pathways are based both at the school and within the community, focusing on developing industry-specific knowledge, workplace behaviours, and transferable skills.

    WEX

    Work Experience: a placement set up by the school in liaison with the young person and their family that provides an opportunity for them to apply skills and learn new ones in a real life situation.