Head of Pastoral Care

About Gateways

Gateways is an alternative education provision, based in the London Borough of Barnet, that exists to support the countless young people today, between the ages of 14-25, who are or have struggled to remain in mainstream education. Gateways students are referred to us as school refusers, struggle with severe anxiety, debilitating depression, eating disorders, trauma’s of all kinds and often as a result of serious medical issues.

Post COVID there has been a 62% rise in enquiries to Gateways, as the number of students suffering are unable to access the mainstream education system.

We believe that every young person should have the same opportunity to progress and thrive, regardless of the challenges they face. Gateways delivers a broad curriculum, academic and vocational, that caters for the interests, abilities and specific needs of the each young person that attends. We aim to prepare them for a life beyond education.

The Gateways programme launched in 2014 and is the only provision of its kind in the UK Jewish community, enhancing the lives of over 600 vulnerable, young people to date. Some of our achievements include:

● Placing over 100 students into work and apprenticeships through career support sessions

● Achieving 98% pass mark for students sitting GCSE functional skills and BTEC qualifications

● Providing emotional and wellbeing support for all our students and families

● Launching successful social enterprise projects in cooking, hair and beauty

● Collaborating with over 20 referring organisations in the community and all Jewish secondary schools

The future of Gateways

To meet the rapidly increasing demand for our provision and our reputation for delivering exceptional outcomes, Gateways has been registered as an independent charity for 18 months and began operating in their own premises, with a new strategy and a growing team in September 2023. 

Gateways now delivering a broader curriculum that caters for the interests, abilities and specific needs of the students, preparing them for life beyond education.

Gateways offers all students ‘hope, determination and achievement’ through high-quality teaching and learning within a flexible, responsive, and bespoke environment and is a stepping stone which provides students with opportunities to reinvent themselves and develop the confidence to be successful in their future.

We recognise that a truly successful provision cannot focus simply on good grades; real success is happy students who are well-equipped to cope in life and who are supported to reach their goals. The Gateways charity is based around a foundation of mental well-being and education, focusing on each student being a valued part of the Gateways community.