About Next Steps
Our Mission
At Next Steps, we aim to build resilient and determined young learners through supportive relationships, guidance, and encouragement. We aim to equip every young person with the skills, confidence, and aspirations they need to overcome challenges and achieve positive, purposeful destinations in learning, life, and work
Our History
Next Steps grew from proven mentoring and employability programmes delivered in schools. Approaches that showed the greatest impact with students were refined over time and brought together into a clear, structured programme that supports young people to build skills for learning, life and work, confidence, and direction.
About Me
Nick Stewart
I am a fully qualified Physical Education teacher with seven years of experience, currently working at Uddingston Grammar School. My motivation for becoming a teacher has always been rooted in supporting young people to reach their full potential, particularly those who face barriers to learning and engagement.
From the very start of my career, I have consistently taken on supportive and mentoring roles within schools. During my NQT year, I received initial mentoring training that demonstrated the powerful impact commitment, time, and genuine relationships can have on young learners. This experience shaped my professional direction and reinforced my belief in mentoring as a tool for change.
Building on this foundation, I developed my own mentoring programme focused on holistic wellbeing, confidence, and personal development, with the aim of helping close the poverty-related attainment gap. I later created a second programme centred on skills development and employability, supporting young people to build the practical skills, mindset, and opportunities needed for positive future destinations.
Next Steps is the culmination of my experience as a teacher and mentor. It brings together years of practice, evidence, and impact into a hybrid programme that allows me to reach more young people while supporting schools to ensure every learner has access to meaningful opportunities. Through Next Steps, my goal is to help young people thrive both now and in the future, regardless of their starting point.