What Is Navigators?
Navigators is a progressive alternative education provider together with an independent specialist college, based in Greater Manchester. 
Through a strong commitment to young people aged 9 to 24 who find engaging in mainstream education challenging, Navigators offers tailored, strengths-based programmes designed to support their development: emotionally, socially, and academically. Operating with over 160 staff, 
serving around 217 learners, Navigators is a lifeline for young people at risk of exclusion, those living with trauma and those whose needs cannot be met by traditional schooling.
Seb Saghabashi, College Principal says: “As a specialist independent college, one of our challenges has always been showcasing the incredible progress our young people make beyond academics. The Kloodle platform has transformed how we evidence that development. It enables us to track their growth effectively and demonstrate the amazing work they’re doing as they move towards achieving their outcomes.”
Origins and Mission
Navigators was founded with a clear purpose: to offer a fresh, personalised and nurturing route through education for young people who have often been let down by conventional systems. The organisation works in close partnership with families, schools, local authorities and community partners to design individual learning journeys. The ethos is simple but powerful; that with the right support, at the right time and in the right place, every young person can thrive.
Founder and CEO Anthony Thompson brings lived experience to this mission. As a care-experienced individual himself, he understands the importance of trust, belonging, and consistency in education. His personal connection to the challenges faced by vulnerable learners drives the organisation’s compassionate, person-centred approach: “As a child who was looked after and experienced the adverse challenges that come with this, I understand how important developing trust and nurturing a positive approach to learning is for our young people.”
A Dual Pathway: Alternative Education and Specialist College
Navigators supports two distinct but connected groups:
- 📘 Pre-16 students (ages 9 to 16) attending part-time Alternative Education; often referred before they reach permanent exclusion. This can result in an increased probability of becoming NEET. These pupils may be experiencing social, emotional, behavioural or academic challenges.
- 🎓 Post-16 students (ages 16 to 24) enrolled in the Independent Specialist College; all students have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), supported to transition into adulthood with real-life skills.
Each young person receives a fully personalised programme 
with expectations and milestones agreed upon by the student, their family, school and Navigators staff.
Both settings have the same values: high expectations, high support and a belief in every young person’s ability to succeed on their own terms.
Activities and Vocational Opportunities
Navigators’ approach goes far beyond the classroom. Students access a rich menu of hands-on, interest-led activities, including:
🍳 Cook Stars – Building life skills through healthy cooking and collaborative projects.
🚲 Bike Maintenance – Offering practical learning and the chance to earn a Level 1 qualification.
🥊 Boxing and Fitness – Promoting physical health, routine, and resilience.
🛠️💇♀️🌿 Construction and Mechanics, Hair and Beauty, and Outdoor Education – Providing meaningful real-world skills with embedded qualifications and personal development.
These activities are carefully chosen to unlock confidence, teamwork, problem-solving and leadership in each student.
Mentorship: The Foundation of Transformation
A cornerstone of Navigators’ success is its mentoring model. The 121 Social and Academic Education Programme pairs every student with a dedicated mentor. The team of over 90 mentors on staff, most of whom have experience or insight into the challenges faced by their mentees, is crucial to unlocking progress.
Mentors:
This mentoring doesn’t just support academic success, it also helps students feel safe, heard and ready to re-engage with learning.
💬 Voices of Impact
Navigators’ approach has garnered positive feedback from students, parents, and professionals alike. Testimonials highlight the transformative effect of their programmes, noting improvements in confidence, engagement and overall well-being.
Using Kloodle: Making Skills and Progress Visible
To support the personal development journey, Navigators has integrated Kloodle into its approach. The digital platform helps the students to track, reflect and showcase their growth in skills’ development.
Kloodle, students can students can:
- Keep a journal of development which is an essential part of the course.
- Log activities using photos, blogs, videos and audio notes
- Tag their work with key employability and character skills (e.g. communication, teamwork, emotional regulation)
- Receive feedback from mentors and staff
- Build a growing, visual profile of their achievements and strengths
This is especially important for students whose talents may not show up in test scores. They may succeed through relationships, effort, creativity or resilience. Kloodle turns these successes into something tangible, visible and motivating.
For post-16 learners, their Kloodle profile becomes the foundation of a future CV or application portfolio — evidence of their journey, not just their end point.
Navigating A Path
Navigators offers more than an education – it offers a second chance, a fresh direction and a belief in every young person’s potential. Through their tailored programmes, compassionate mentoring and partnership with Kloodle, Navigators is redefining what success looks like for vulnerable learners in the North West.
It’s a place where challenges are met with care, where strengths are nurtured and where young people can once again believe in a brighter future.
