Costiles Academy

Tiling masterclasses and employment pathways

Practical tiling skills for a future in the trade

Structured occupational learning that helps young people build practical tiling skills, professional behaviours and confidence for further training, apprenticeships and employment.

Costiles Academy tiling masterclass workshop

Six weeks of practical learning

KS3 & KS4 Tiling Masterclasses

A structured six-week Tiling Masterclass programme for KS3 and KS4 learners where a placement is suitable and commissioned. Sessions last three hours and are delivered in a small-group workshop environment, with a maximum group size of 10 learners. As part of our safeguarding policy, a member of staff from the referring organisation must remain with learners throughout every masterclass session.

Programme length
Six-week block
Session duration
Three hours
Group size
Up to 10 learners
Occupational focus
Wall and floor tiling
Qualification pathway
Planned Level 1 Occupational Studies in Tiling, subject to approval and suitability

What learners can develop

  • Workshop health and safety and appropriate PPE
  • Safe use of tools and equipment
  • Measuring, setting out and accuracy
  • Surface and substrate preparation
  • Materials, adhesive and cutting
  • Fixing wall and floor tiles
  • Grouting, finishing and quality control
  • Teamwork, communication and professional workshop standards

For NEET and potential NEET young people

Tiling Skills & Progression Programme

Costiles Academy plans to offer a dedicated six-week Tiling Skills & Progression Programme for young people who are NEET, currently unemployed, or at risk of becoming NEET. It is designed to provide a purposeful route into practical learning, confidence-building and realistic next-step planning.

Programme length
Six-week block
Session duration
Two and a half hours
Who it is for
NEET, unemployed and potential NEET young people
Focus
Practical tiling, safety, employability and progression planning

Who the programme is designed to support

  • Young people who are not in education, employment or training
  • Young people who are currently unemployed and exploring their next step
  • Young people at risk of becoming NEET who would benefit from earlier practical engagement
  • Young people who need confidence, routine and occupational experience before progressing
  • Young people considering further training, apprenticeships, education or employment

What the programme brings together

  • Practical tiling skills and safe workshop practice
  • Confidence, routine and positive professional behaviours
  • Employability skills including teamwork, communication and responsibility
  • A chance to identify strengths, interests and realistic progression options
  • Support to consider next steps into training, apprenticeships, education or employment

Programme availability and commissioning arrangements can be discussed directly with Costiles Academy.

The Costiles Way in every session

Clear routines, meaningful challenge and practical progress.

Every masterclass is designed to help learners feel safe and known while being appropriately challenged. Practical tiling learning is paired with consistent routines, supportive relationships, professional expectations and reflection on the next step.

  • A calm, predictable structure from arrival to reflection
  • Practical tasks broken into achievable, purposeful steps
  • Support that recognises individual strengths and barriers
  • High expectations for safety, effort, teamwork and professional behaviour
  • Progression conversations that help learners become ready for what comes next

What a masterclass session looks like

A predictable session structure helps learners understand what to expect, build confidence and make progress over time.

  1. 01

    Arrive and check in

  2. 02

    Learning objective

  3. 03

    Safety briefing

  4. 04

    Demonstration

  5. 05

    Supervised practice

  6. 06

    Independent application

  7. 07

    Break and regulation

  8. 08

    Evidence capture

  9. 09

    Reflection

  10. 10

    Next-step target

Learning that makes sense

English and Mathematics are naturally embedded within practical tiling activities where appropriate, helping learners see how these skills are used in real occupational situations.

Mathematics through tiling

  • Measurement
  • Area
  • Quantities
  • Ratio
  • Accuracy
  • Geometry

English through tiling

  • Technical vocabulary
  • Reading instructions
  • Job sheets
  • Communication
  • Reflection
  • Professional language

Talk to us about a placement or programme

Get in touch to discuss a learner, a potential referral or programme availability.

Refer a learnerContact Costiles Academy