MCR Pathways

MCR Pathways & Impetus

Part of the Engage Fund: a partnership with The Henry Smith Charity

We are benefitting from Impetus’ expertise and insight to enable us to scale across the country and offer the programme to every young person in need who would benefit from the unique and individualised support of a mentor.

– Fay Gingell, CEO, MCR Pathways


The need: Young people in mainstream secondary schools who have experience of the care system, or face challenges like special educational needs, living in severe poverty, or living with extended family not parents, often find it harder to engage in education than their peers.

Our charity partner: MCR Pathways works with young people aged 10-18, supporting them from the crucial transition from the last year of primary school into
secondary school, to the end of college. The mentoring that MCR Pathways offers can help these young people achieve equality of educational outcomes, career opportunities and improve life chances.

Our impact: Impetus is helping MCR Pathways to expand their Young Talent programme throughout the country, focusing on the triple outcomes of keeping students in school, improving attainment and increasing EET (education, employment or training) rates. MCR Pathways is already ahead of its 2022 targets for reaching young people.


Lily's story



My mentor’s name is Ellie and she’s my best friend – I love her so much. We’re really close, we have lots in common and she helps me with a lot of different things. She makes me feel very open and happy.

Read Lily's story


Find out more

Affiah and MCR Pathways

Affiah's life changed when she joined MCR Pathways. Struggling with school and needing support with her behaviour, she bonded with her mentor Annette. With Annette's guidance, Affiah's behaviour improved, leading to better focus and positive changes at school.
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Nicole and MCR Pathways

Nicole's life changed when she joined Young Herts Talent, part of MCR Pathways, and met her mentor, Ali. Their weekly chats helped her improve from frequently missing school and arriving late to achieving better attendance, making school much more enjoyable for her.
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Engage Fund

We’re tackling the rising number of school exclusions and improving outcomes for young people in alternative provision (AP) in England.
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