People with lived experience enhance prison education
One of PET’s six new Lived Experience Consultants talks about his experience helping the charity reach more people in prison.
One of PET’s six new Lived Experience Consultants talks about his experience helping the charity reach more people in prison.
In a new Clinks Evidence Library review, PET CEO Jon Collins takes a look at the evidence on the impact of prison education.
New PET Chair Paul Kelly has experience in the private sector and as a trustee and chair, as well as experience of the justice system.
Our Big Give Christmas Challenge is now live, where you can double your donation! Your support can be a lifeline for learners.
Prisoners’ Education Trust has been awarded a three-year grant by The National Lottery Community Fund, the UK’s largest community funder.
Prisoners’ Education Trust (PET) has published its annual report for 2022, the first year of our new five-year strategy.
People from South Yorkshire are studying courses with PET thanks to support from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Giving Back scheme.
Demand for our support is continuing to increase but at a pace we cannot match. Please support us to ensure that no learner gets left behind.
The Ministry of Justice will soon begin the bidding process for prison education provision. Here is what we know about the contracts so far.
The new Available but not Accessible report looks at the barriers to purposeful activities in prison for Romany Gypsies and Irish Travellers.
1,375 learners started a course with PET in prison last year. Find out which courses were a hit with our learners.
Our Big Give Christmas Challenge, “Brighter futures through education in prison”, is now live! Find out how your donation can be doubled.
After leaving prison, Erika joined our Alumni Advisory Group and started creating artwork to make an impact in the criminal justice sector.
Our Head of Policy, Francesca Cooney examines the findings of the recent report on prison education from the Education Select Committee.
The report paints a grim picture of prisons struggling to manage, and failing to provide much needed education during lockdown and beyond.
The annual report paints a grim picture of prisons struggling to manage and failing to provide much needed education and activities.
Find out why Jon started working for PET, what we’re doing to ensure we reach everyone in prison, and what he hopes we can achieve by 2026.
Prisoners’ Education Trust is calling for investment in digital technology for learners in response to the Education Select Committee report.
Dyslexia wasn’t recognised when George was at school and he missed out on getting qualifications. Now he’s on his way to a master’s degree.
Prisoners’ Education Trust (PET) is calling for urgent funding for education in response to the Prisons Strategy White Paper.
Prisoners’ Education Trust is taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge again this year – when you can have your donation doubled!
We’ve launched our new five year strategy for 2022-2026. Read the foreword by PET alumnus and member of our Alumni Advisory Group Dalton.
In PET’s second blog about how prisons are recovering from the pandemic, we look at the changes we would like to see to the core day.
The ancient Greeks and Romans created a legacy that has shaped the literature, language, arts, politics and philosophy of the western world. This course allows you to develop a critical approach to the literature and culture of this fascinating period in history. You will study poetry and plays and analyse the issues and values that shaped classical civilisation.
The course contains four lessons that carry on from Part 1:
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English, plus Classical Civilisation Part 1
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Four written assignments. These do not count towards the final grade.
Exams: Three exams (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees)
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Facilitate and invigilate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Open University Access Modules YO31: Arts and Languages, or YO32: People, Work and Society
Find Out More: From NEC here
Jon Collins talks the challenges prison education is facing, digital learning, and how people in prison can help shape the charity’s future.
Education provided a turning point for Jonathan. Beginning with GCSEs funded by PET, he went on to complete a Masters degree and begin a PhD in prison, working as a graduate tutor whilst on day release.
A collaboration between Learning Together, Coracle Inside and HMPPS is yielding exciting developments in the provision of digital learning.
PET funded over 1000 people to take courses in prison last year, helping them work towards their dream of a better life.
Seven changes that would make a real difference to prison learners and help to unlock their potential. Our suggestions to the Education Select Committee’s inquiry.
This course replaces the Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTTLS) qualification, and is the first step towards working in post-16 or adult level teaching or training. It is also useful if part of your role is to train others. You will find out how to plan, deliver and assess effective learning, and discover the roles, responsibilities and relationships involved in teaching.
The course consists of four sections:
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Four tutor marked assignments
Exams: Yes – the “Microteach Element”. This involves a practical fifteen minute teaching session that will need to be recorded. Due to security issues, this is most often completed by learners upon release. (PET funding does not cover this element).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments, plus microteach element if possible. An additional enrolment form is also required by NEC before the learner can start on the course.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? A course in the subject you wish to teach (e.g. a vocational course like fitness). PET also offer TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) at Level 5.
Find Out More: From NEC here
Donate to our Big Give Christmas Challenge and help us support more people to study in prison during the lockdown.
With this qualification, you’ll improve your understanding of human behaviour and interaction and explore issues around race, inequality and religion. You will get the opportunity to develop transferable skills like critical analysis, as well as independent thinking and research.
This course contains five lessons that follow on from Part 1:
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English and Maths, plus Sociology A-Level Part 1
Assignments: Five written assignments. These do not contribute towards the final grade.
Exams: Three – each are 2 hours long, and contribute 33.3% of the final grade. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees)
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and invigilate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Open University Access Module Y032 People, Work and Society.
Find Out More: From NEC here
This course explores a variety of perspectives on religion and its impact on people’s behaviour, communities and cultures. Focusing on topics such as life after death and the existence of God, you’ll get the chance to reflect on your own values and attitude, as well as develop critical thinking and effective communication.
The course contains five lessons that follow on from Part 1:
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English, plus Religious Studies A-Level Part 1
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Five written assignments. These do not contribute towards the final grade.
Exams: Three – all are 2 hours long and count 33.3% towards the final grade. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and invigilate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Open University Access Module Y032 People, Work and Society
Find Out More: From NEC here
In this course, you’ll deepen your understanding of theories underpinning human behaviour – exploring memory, cognition and mental health. You’ll also develop your analytical and organisational skills, discovering which scientific research methods can be used to collect, process and analyse data.
The course contains four lessons that follow on from Part 1:
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English and Maths, plus Psychology A-Level Part 1
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Four written assignments. These do not contribute towards the final grade.
Exams: Three – all are 2 hours long and count 33.3% towards the final grade. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees)
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and invigilate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Open University Access Module Y032 People, Work and Society
Find Out More: From NEC here
This course will expand your knowledge of elections, referendums and nationalism and help you develop an understanding of current political issues in the world. It will also improve your transferable skills, such as research, and build your analytical and critical thinking ability.
The course contains six lessons that follow on from Part 1:
5. Conservatism and Liberalism
6. Socialism and Nationalism
7. U.S. Constitution and Congress
8. The U.S. President and the Supreme Court
9. Democracy and Participation in the U.S.
10. Comparative Approaches
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English, plus Politics A-Level Part 1
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Six written assignments. These do not contribute towards the final grade.
Exams: Three – all are 2 hours long and count 33.3% towards the final grade. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and invigilate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Open University Access Module Y032 People, Work and Society
Find Out More: From NEC here
This course delves into some of life’s fundamental questions – about existence, knowledge and ethics. You’ll deepen your understanding of human beings and free will, and consider questions about God’s existence and what knowledge is. This course also improves transferable skills, such as independent studies and the ability to explore and evaluate concepts.
The course contains five lessons that follow on from Part 1:
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English, plus Philosophy A-Level Part 1
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Five written assignments. These do not contribute towards the final grade.
Exams: Two exams – each are 3 hours long, and contribute 50% towards the final grade. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and invigilate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Open University Access Module Y032 People, Work and Society
Find Out More: From NEC here
This course will help you to develop excellent numeracy skills and gain a sound ability to interpret and process data sets. You’ll also learn to be resilient and to think creatively and strategically, developing the strong mathematical knowledge needed to write structured solutions and formulate reasoned arguments.
The course contains five lessons that follow on from Part 1:
6. Pure Mathematics 4 (Algebra 3, functions and graphs, trigonometry 3, sequences and series)
7. Pure Mathematics 5 (Trigonometry 4, sequences and series 2, differentiation 3, integration 2)
8. Pure Mathematics 6 (Numerical methods, differentiation 4, parameters, integration 3, differential equations)
9. Statistics 2 (Correlation and regression, probability, the normal distribution, approximations and testing)
10. Mechanics 2 (Moments, equilibrium 2, forces and motion, projectiles, further kinematics)
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English and Maths, plus Maths A-Level Part 1
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Five written assignments. These do not contribute towards the final grade.
Exams: Three exams – each are 2 hours long, and contribute 33.3% towards the final grade. Learners can use a calculator in all three exams. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and invigilate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Open University Access Module Y033 Science, Technology and Maths
Find Out More: From NEC here
This course explores the English legal system and substantive law, including criminal and civil law. You’ll consider different scenarios – applying legal rules, constructing arguments and evaluating key legal issues and concepts. The course will also develop your problem-solving and analytical thinking, as well as your essay writing, research and debating skills – preparing you for a diverse range of future career paths.
The course contains six lessons that follow on from Part 1:
5. Criminal law – offences against the person
6. Criminal law – property offences
7: Tort
8. Human rights 1
9. Human rights 2
10. Nature of law
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English, plus Law A-Level Part 1
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Six written assignments. These do not contribute towards the final grade.
Exams: Three – each are 2 hours long, and contribute 33.3% of the final grade. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and invigilate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Open University Access Module Y032 People, Work and Society.
Find Out More: From NEC here
From the abolition of the slave trade to the history of Germany, studying this course will improve your knowledge of the past, whilst also developing valuable skills for your future. It will help you to become a more inquiring, critical and analytical thinker, and to develop reasoned arguments and draw logical conclusions. You’ll discover how critical thinking and evidence play a crucial role in decision making.
The course contains five lessons that follow on from Part 1:
6. Coursework – Non Exam Assessment
7. Prosperity and Social Change – Germany 1871-1990
8. Germany United 1871-1935
9. Germany Divided and Re-united 1945-1990
10. Revision
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English, plus History A-Level Part 1
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Five written assignments. These do not contribute towards the final grade.
Exams: Three exams ((Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
1. 2 hours, 15 minutes (30% of overall grade)
2. 1 hour, 30 minutes (30% of overall grade)
3. 2 hours, 15 minutes (30% of overall grade)
One coursework task (20% of overall grade)
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and invigilate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Open University Access Module Y031 Arts and Languages, or Y032 People, Work and Society
Find Out More: From NEC here
This qualification will help you to develop an enjoyment and love of the written word. By reading widely, and critically, across centuries, gender and genre, you will develop as an independent reader and critic. Through analysing complex literary issues using theories and critical ideas, you can develop skills useful for higher education and highly-valued in a wide variety of job roles.
The course contains six units that follow on from Part 1:
5. Non-Exam Assessment
6. Modern Times: Spies
7. Modern Times: All My Sons
8. Modern Times: Skirrid Hill
9. Modern Times: Unseen Prose
10. Revision
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English, plus English Literature A-Level Part 1
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Six written assignments. These do not contribute towards the final grade.
Exams: Two (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
One three hour exam (40% of marks)
One 2 hour 30 minute exam (40% of marks)
Non-Exam Assessment – coursework task (20% of marks)
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and invigilate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Open University Access Module Y031 Arts and Languages
Find Out More: From NEC here
This course deepens your knowledge of linguistic analysis and explores language use in a variety of situations and contexts. From political speeches and song lyrics, to cartoon strips and food labelling, the course will introduce you to a rich set of resources and styles of writing. You’ll learn about the terminology and grammar that underpins the English language, building your understanding of how language works in the way it does.
The course contains five lessons that follow on from Part 1:
6. Original Writing (Non-Exam Assessment)
7. Early Child Language Acquisition
8. Reading and Writing
9. Language Change and Diversity
10. The language Investigation (Non Exam Assessment)
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English, plus English Language A-Level Part 1
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Five written assignments. These do not contribute towards the final grade.
Exams: Two – each are 2 hours 30 minutes, and contribute 40% of the marks. The Non-Exam Assessment makes up the remaining 20%. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and invigilate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Open University Access Module Y031 – Arts and Languages
Find Out More: From NEC here
Economics shapes how we allocate limited resources and measures the impact of our choices. You’ll study the UK and global economy, using economic theory to analyse issues and present your ideas and conclusions in a clear, logical way. Whether you’re pursuing a career in business, finance or politics, this course will build your problem-solving, analytical and decision-making skills, in readiness for a wide range of future career and university choices.
The course contains four units that follow on from Part 1
7. Markets
8. Government Intervention in Markets
9. International Economics
10. Macroeconomic Strategies and Policies
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English and Maths, plus Economics Part 1
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Four written assignments (These do not contribute towards the final grade).
Exams: Three exams. Each are two hours, and contribute 35%, 35% and 30% of the final grade. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Facilitate and invigilate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? OU Access Modules Y032:People, Work and Society, or YO33: Science, Technology and Maths
Find Out More: From NEC here
This is one of four Islamic Finance courses and it is recommended that this course should be studied third after Islamic Commercial Law and Islamic Banking and takaful. This course focuses on the differences between conventional and Islamic capital markets, the primary and secondary capital markets, and regulation within the Islamic capital market. After getting an overview of global developments, you will also learn about the screening processes used in accepting and rejecting Sharia compliant products, Islamic bonds, sukuk, securities and real estate trusts.
The course consists of 14 chapters:
1. Overview of global Islamic capital market developments
2. Islamic capital markets and instruments
3. Growth and development of Islamic capital markets
4. Essential Shari’ah principles governing the Islamic capital market (1)
5. Essential Shari’ah principles governing the Islamic capital market (2)
6. Islamic bonds
7. Islamic Sukuks
8. Islamic asset-backed securities
9. Islamic equity screening criteria
10. Islamic mutual funds/unit trusts: an overview
11. Islamic mutual funds /unit trusts: contracts and products
12. Islamic real estate investment trusts
13. Islamic structured products and derivatives
14. Principles and contracts underlying Islamic structured products
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English and Maths
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: None, but the course contains a study guide, exemplars, and practice questions.
Exams: One exam – 40 multiple choice questions, one hour long. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Organize and invigilate exam
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? The fourth and final course in this series of Islamic Finance courses is the Certificate in Accounting for Islamic Financial Institutions.
Find Out More: You can read about the course provider here
This is one of four Islamic Finance courses and it is recommended that this course should be studied second after Islamic Commercial Law. By studying this course you will build your understanding of the developments which have taken place in Islamic financial institutions and systems. The course also focuses on the various products developed by Islamic banks for their customers, the products and services offered under takaful, and issues relating to underwriting.
The course contains 10 chapters:
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English and Maths
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: None, but the course contains a study guide, exemplars, and practice questions.
Exams: One exam – 40 multiple choice questions, one hour long. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Organize and invigilate exam
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Certificate in Islamic Capital Markets and Instruments, and then Certificate in Accounting for Islamic Financial Institutions.
Find Out More: You can read about the course provider here
This is one of four Islamic Finance courses and it is recommended that this course should be studied first. With this course you will gain an introduction to Islamic commercial law as it relates to Islamic finance. You will study the sources of the Islamic commercial law, including the Qur'an and the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad, as well as the methodologies used to solve modern problems in Islamic Finance. You will also focus on Sharia compliance and the importance of Sharia standards.
The course contains 11 chapters:
1. An introduction to Islamic finance
2. Shari’ah compliance
3. Source of Islamic Commercial Law
4. Methodology of interpretation of Islamic commercial law
5. Formation of contracts
6. Classification of contracts
7. Comparison of classifications of contracts
8. Traditional Islamic contracts and Islamic finance
9. Overview of Islamic banking, Takaful and capital market products
10. Application of Islamic contracts in Islamic finance
11. Implementation of Shari’ah standards, policies and rulings in Islamic finance
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English and Maths
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: None, but the course contains a study guide, exemplars, and practice questions.
Exams: One exam – 40 multiple choice questions, one hour long. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Organize and invigilate exam
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? The next three Islamic Finance courses should be taken in the following order: Certificate in banking and takaful; Certificate in Islamic capital markets and Instruments; Certificate in accounting for Islamic financial Institutions.
Find Out More: You can read about the course provider here
This is one of four Islamic Finance courses and it is recommended that this course should be the fourth and last to be studied. This course will help you gain understanding in a wide range of areas, starting with the reporting framework and standards of Islamic financial institutions, and the analysis and classification of Islamic funding and financing transactions. You will also learn how transactions adopting different contracts of financing are reported in Islamic financial statements, and find out about financial accountability and Sharia compliance of Islamic financial institutions.
The course consists of 12 chapters:
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English and Maths
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: None, but the course contains a study guide, exemplars, and practice questions.
Exams: One exam – 40 multiple choice questions, one hour long. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Organize and invigilate exam
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? There are a wide range of finance, business and management courses to consider.
Find Out More: You can read about the course provider here
This course helps to develop your knowledge of how business works, whether you are interested in setting up your own business or want to explore a wide variety of industries. It will also help you to develop sound reasoning and leadership skills, and an analytical approach.
The course contains four lessons that follow on from part 1:
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English and Maths, plus Business Part 1
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Four written assignments (these do not count towards the final grade)
Exams: Three exams. Each are 2 hours and contribute 33.3% of the final grade. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Facilitate and invigilate exams
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Open University Access Module YO32: People, Work and Society
Find Out More: via NEC here
PET Volunteer and Doctoral Researcher Xander Ryan explains how he created short courses to improve learners’ study skills and help them progress.
Just over two months after launching the PET Advice Line, we have already taken over 300 calls from 60 prisons. PET’s Advice Manager reflects on its impact.
In this blog post, we hear about how the University of Southern Queensland in Australia brought has made its courses available to students in prison through in-cell digital technology.
We are doing all we can at Prisoners’ Education Trust to continue to provide courses and to offer support to learners in prison.
In this post, Professor Tom Schuller, Chair of PLA, talks about the importance of developing partnerships between prisons and further education colleges and of continued learning through adulthood.
Bullied at school and disillusioned with the education system, Dalton fell in with the wrong crowd and ended up in prison. But in amongst the chaos, he discovered the courses offered by PET and a world of new possibilities.
Prisoners’ Education Trust has appointed five new trustees, including a charity campaigner, a former Ministry of Justice senior official, and the 2019 FE Leader of the Year.
Prisoners’ Education Trust are excited to be celebrating our 30th birthday and we are delighted to launch an appeal to raise £130,000 to ensure more prisoners can benefit from our distance learning courses, advice and guidance. We have a number of ways you can get involved in our celebrations, including a range of new and exciting events taking place.
Rowan Mackenzie is a PhD Researcher at University of Birmingham and since early 2018 has been helping to bring Shakespeare behind bars at a number of prisons. Today we hear from Rowan and from the Gallowfield Players, a theatre company at HMP Gartree
The new Justice ministers have just taken on huge and urgent responsibilities. If they find time for some background reading around prisons, what might that be, and what messages could they draw from it?
The University of Leicester’s Dr Marie Nugent has worked with researchers and HMP Leicester to run an English pilot of Cell Block Science – a ground-breaking public engagement programme that brings STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) academics into prisons.
Pictures, postcards and inspiration from our 30th birthday party, as staff, trustees, former prisons learners, supporters and founders gathered to help us celebrate.
‘Emma’ started her life sentence with a history of domestic violence and addiction. She tells PET how studying for a degree in English Literature helped her towards recovery and a positive future.
Since 2010, The Taylor Family Foundation has supported PET with £85,000 of funding, giving nearly 200 young prisoners in the South of England the chance to transform their lives through education.
This course will help you to develop a better understanding of the challenges that deafness could bring and how you might be able to help. The course starts with an introduction to deafness and the problems deaf people encounter, and includes a breakdown of different hearing conditions, including tinnitus and deafblindness. The course also features information on assistive technology and the American, British, and Spanish Sign Languages, as well as other useful tools for communication.
The course consists of 4 lessons:
Lesson 1
Deafness and Personal Hearing Aids
Reactions to Deafness
Problems that Deaf People Cope With
What is a Hearing Aid?
Disadvantages of a Hearing Aid
Lesson 2
Technology / How to Help a Hearing Aid User
Cochlear Implants
Expectations and Limitations
Developments
How to Help a Hearing Aid User
Lesson 3
Conditions / Communication Methods
Tinnitus
Deafblindness
Silent Communication
Spoken Communication
The History of Sign Language
British Sign Language (BSL)
Lesson 4
Sign Language Alphabets / Sense
American Sign Language
The Alphabet
Spanish Sign Language Alphabet
The Deafblind Manual Alphabet
Block Alphabet
‘Sense’ and Government Guidance on Deafblind Services
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Four self-assessed questions
Exams: One optional exam (funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees)
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Open University Access Module, People, Work and Society (YO32)
Find Out More: Directly from BSY here
If you’re looking to volunteer or work in stable management or just want to learn for leisure, this course is an ideal introduction to horse care. Covering a wide variety of useful topics, you will discover all the horse care essentials – including equine behaviour, caring for stabled and grass-kept horses, saddlery, shoeing, lameness, watering and feeding, and horse health.
The course contains nine modules, and an options study week:
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Nine written assignments
Exams: There is an optional exam at the end of the course (funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Facilitate and invigilate exam.
Tutor Support: Yes
Find Out More: From the Open College of Equine Studies here
With this qualification, you’ll improve your understanding of human behaviour and interaction and explore issues around race, inequality and religion. You will get the opportunity to develop transferable skills like critical analysis, as well as independent thinking and research.
PET offers A-levels in two parts. Upon completing Part 1, you can choose either to take your AS exam (a qualification marking the first year of a full A-level) or continue on to Part 2 to build up to a full A-level.
The course consists of the following units:
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English and Maths
Assignments: Six written assignments. These do not contribute toward the final grade.
Exams: Two, each are 1 hour 30 minutes, and contribute 50% of the overall grade. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and facilitate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Sociology A-Level Part 2
Find Out More: From NEC here
This course explores a variety of perspectives on religion and its impact on people’s behaviour, communities and cultures. Focusing on topics such as life after death and the existence of God, you’ll get the chance to reflect on your own values and attitude, as well as develop critical thinking and effective communication.
PET offers A-levels in two parts. Upon completing Part 1, you can choose either to take your AS exam (a qualification marking the first year of a full A-level) or continue on to Part 2 to build up to a full A-level.
The course consists of the following units:
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Six written assignments. These do not contribute toward the final grade.
Exams: Three – each are 1 hour, and contribute 33.3% of the overall grade. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and facilitate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Religious Studies A-Level Part 2
Find Out More: From NEC here
In this course, you’ll deepen your understanding of theories underpinning human behaviour – exploring memory, cognition and mental health. You’ll also develop your analytical and organisational skills, discovering which scientific research methods can be used to collect, process and analyse data.
PET offers A-levels in two parts. Upon completing Part 1, you can choose either to take your AS exam (a qualification marking the first year of a full A-level) or continue on to Part 2 to build up to a full A-level.
The course consists of the following units:
Research Methods (scientific processes, data analysis and presentation, maths resources)
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English and Maths
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Seven written assignments. These do not contribute toward the final grade.
Exams: Two, each are 1 hour 30 minutes, and contribute 50% of the overall grade. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees)
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and facilitate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Psychology A-Level Part 2
Find Out More: From NEC here
This course will help you to develop excellent numeracy skills and gain a sound ability to interpret and process data sets. You’ll also learn to be resilient and to think creatively and strategically, developing the strong mathematical knowledge needed to write structured solutions and formulate reasoned arguments.
PET offers A-levels in two parts. Upon completing Part 1, you can choose either to take your AS exam (a qualification marking the first year of a full A-level) or continue on to Part 2 to build up to a full A-level.
The course contains five lessons:
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English and Maths
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Six written assignments. These do not contribute toward the final grade.
Exams: Two exams (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and facilitate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Maths A-Level Part 2
Find Out More: From NEC here
From the abolition of the slave trade to the history of Germany, studying this course will improve your knowledge of the past, whilst also developing valuable skills for your future. It will help you to become a more inquiring, critical and analytical thinker, and to develop reasoned arguments and draw logical conclusions. You’ll discover how critical thinking and evidence play a crucial role in decision making.
PET offers A-levels in two parts. Upon completing Part 1, you can choose either to take your AS exam (a qualification marking the first year of a full A-level) or continue on to Part 2 to build up to a full A-level.
The course consists of the following five units:
1. The growth of parliamentary democracy c1785–c1870
2. Industrialisation, protest and trade unionism c1785–c1870
3. Poverty and pauperism; the abolition of the slave trade
4. The unification of Germany 1: c1840–51
5. The unification of Germany 1: c1852–71
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Six written assignments. These do not contribute toward the final grade.
Exams: Two exams (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and facilitate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? A-Level History Part 2
Find Out More: From NEC here
This course deepens your knowledge of linguistic analysis and explores language use in a variety of situations and contexts. From political speeches and song lyrics, to cartoon strips and food labelling, the course will introduce you to a rich set of resources and styles of writing. You’ll learn about the terminology and grammar that underpins the English language, building your understanding of how language works in the way it does.
PET offers A-levels in two parts. Upon completing Part 1, you can choose either to take your AS exam (a qualification marking the first year of a full A-level) or continue on to Part 2 to build up to a full A-level.
The course consists of the following units:
1. Methods of language analysis
2. Spoken English
3. Language and Power
4. Identity and non-standard English
5. Language and Gender
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Six written assignments. These do not contribute toward the final grade.
Exams: Two – each are 1 hour 30 minutes, and contribute 50% of the overall grade. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Support submission and completion of assignments. Organize and invigilate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? English Language A-Level Part 2
Find Out More: From NEC here
Economics shapes how we allocate limited resources and measures the impact of our choices. You’ll study the UK and global economy, using economic theory to analyse issues and present your ideas and conclusions in a clear, logical way. Whether you’re pursuing a career in business, finance or politics, this course will build your problem-solving, analytical and decision-making skills, in readiness for a wide range of future career and university choices.
PET offers A-levels in two parts. Upon completing Part 1, you can choose either to take your AS exam (a qualification marking the first year of a full A-level) or continue on to Part 2 to build up to a full A-level.
The course consists of five units:
1. Introduction to economics
2. Supply and price
3. Market failure and government intervention
4. The UK economy – performance measures
5. The UK economy – income, growth, and policies
6. Business Behaviour
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English and Maths
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Seven written assignments (corresponding to the above units, plus one introductory assignment). These do not contribute toward the final grade.
Exams: Two – each are 1 hour 30 minutes, and contribute 50% of the overall grade. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and facilitate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Economics A-Level Part 2
Find Out More: From NEC here
The course helps to develop your knowledge on how business works, whether you are interested in setting up your own business or want to explore a wide variety of applications and industries. It will also help you to develop sound reasoning and leadership skills, and an analytical approach.
PET offers A-levels in two parts. Upon completing Part 1, you can choose either to take your AS exam (a qualification marking the first year of a full A-level) or continue on to Part 2 to build up to a full A-level.
This course contains six lessons:
1. What is business?
2. Management
3. Marketing performance
4. Operational performance
5. Setting financial objectives
6. Human resource performance
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English and Maths
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Seven written assignments (these do not contribute toward the final grade.)
Exams: Two exams. Each are 1 hour 30 minutes, and contribute 50% of the overall grade. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and facilitate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Business A-Level Part 2
Find Out More: From NEC directly here
This course will help you better observe and interpret human behaviour, analyse your own social interactions with people of different personality types, and understand the drivers behind decision-making and behaviour. It covers a wide selection of topics including memory, perception, social influence, the brain and neuropsychology.
The course consists of the following units:
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Ten written assignments. These do not count towards the final grade.
Exams: Two, each are 1 hour 45 minutes and contribute 50% the overall grade. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and facilitate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? A-Level Psychology, or OU Access Module YO32: People, work and Society
Find Out More: From NEC’s website
This qualification will help you gain more confidence in basic mathematical skills, covering topics such as fractions, decimals and Pythagoras’ Theorem. By studying this course, you will become better-equipped in terms of critical thinking, problem-solving and analytical skills.
The course consists of the following units:
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Eleven written assignments. These do not count towards the final grade.
Exams: Three Exams, each are 1 hour 30 minutes, and contribute 33.% to the final grade. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam-fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and facilitate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? A-Level Maths or Open University Access Module YO33: Science, Technology and Maths
Find Out More: Via NEC here
In History GCSE you will explore some of the key events, personalities and societies that shaped world history. Learners will also have the opportunity to develop a set of important skills such as communication, problem solving, analysis, research and independent thinking
The course consists of the following units:
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Eleven written assignments (corresponding to the above units, plus one introductory assignment). These do not count towards the final grade.
Exams: Two – each are 1 hour 30 minutes, and contribute 50% of the overall grade. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and facilitate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? A-Level History
Find Out More: From NEC’s website
This course explores a variety of classic literary works, and will improve your reading, communication and analytical skills to deepen your experience of literature for life.
The course consists of the following units:
Section 1: Introductory Prose Skills
Section 2: Frankenstein
Section 3: Introductory Poetry Skills
Section 4: Anthology Poems, Part 1
Section 5: Introduction to Drama
Section 6: Twelfth Night
Section 7: Anthology Poems, Part 2
Section 8: An Inspector Calls
Section 9: Unseen Poetry
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Nine written assignments. These do not contribute toward the final grade.
Exams: 2 exams – both are 1 hour 45 minutes, and are 50% of the total grade. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and invigilate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? English Literature A-Level
Find Out More: From NEC here
This qualification can help with future job roles or further educational courses. You will learn how to develop your reading and writing, and improve your communication skills to express your ideas more effectively.
The course consists of nine units:
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Ten written assignments. These do not count towards the final grade.
Exams: Two – both are 1 hour 45 minutes. There is also an optional non-exam assessment to demonstrate your skills in spoken language. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and facilitate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? A-Level English Language
Find Out More: From NEC directly here
On this course, you’ll explore the basic principles and applications of biology, chemistry and physics. You’ll learn key scientific concepts, as well as their application in the real world, including the impact on technology and the environment.
The course consists of the following lessons:
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Ten written assignments (these do not count towards the final grade).
Exams: Three exams (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Paper 1 – 45 minutes (30% of marks)
Paper 2 or 3 – 1 hour 15 mins (50% of marks)
Paper 6 – 1 hour (20% of marks)
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and facilitate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Open University Access Module YO33: Science, Technology and Maths
Find Out More: via NEC’s website here
This course provides a thorough understanding of the principles, terminology, concepts and methods of business. You’ll cover topics such as business operations, marketing, and business finance and will develop your critical thinking and analytical skills.
The course consists of eight sections:
1. Business activity
2. Influences on business
3. People in business
4. Business finance
5. Marketing
6. Business operations
7. Small business revision
8. Large business revision
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Nine written assignments (these do not contribute toward the final grade).
Exams: Two exams. Each are 1 hour 30 minutes and contribute 50% towards the final grade. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and invigilate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Business A-level Part 1
Find Out More: From NEC here
Read a rundown of 2018’s ten most popular courses and hear from some of our learners.
We want to learn from the men and women who we fund – to gain perspectives that are honest, personal and rooted in reality. So recently we held workshops in three prisons to find out their perspectives.
Elisabeth Davies, a specialist in public policy, has been named as the new Chair of Prisoners’ Education Trust, taking over the position from Alexandra Marks CBE.
Elisabeth Davies has been named as the new Chair of Prisoners’ Education Trust, taking over the position from Alexandra Marks CBE. In this interview, the new and outgoing Chairs discuss the successes of the last six years and what the future holds for the charity.
When Erika went to prison she set herself the task of drawing a postcard a day for the whole of her sentence. Getting funding for a BA Hons in Visual Arts inside opened the door to working as an artist and tutor after release.
Some of the women we’ve funded have gone on to support others on a similar journey. Studying for a Diploma in counselling meant Ola could help other women in prison transform their lives through education.
Francesca Cooney joined PET as Head of Policy in September. Here she tells us about the challenges facing prison education and her priorities over the coming months.
Rod Clark responds to government research showing PET funding is helping people find work – showing education is both high-impact and good value for money.
Prisons Minister Rory Stewart has welcomed new research published by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) today showing people in prison who have accessed distance learning through Prisoners’ Education Trust (PET) are more likely to find work after release.
On 24 May, Justice Secretary David Gauke announced a new strategy for education and employment in, and out, of prison. Much of it wasn’t new, there were positive statements of intent, and some disappointments. But is the financial investment going to be there to make it a reality?
Today the Ministry of Justice will be launching a new Education and Employment Strategy. This is Prisoners’ Education Trust’s response.
Egerton’s path to working in finance started in prison, when he saw a book about investing in the library. Getting funding from PET allowed him to take the next step towards realising his ambitions and still inspires today.
As of the end of March 2018, all careers advisers in England will lose their jobs. We explain why this matters and how we are responding.
People in prison now have the chance to turn their minds to Youth Justice, Human Resources and even Beginners Chinese thanks to a host of new subjects on offer in PET’s 2018 curriculum.
The Chair of the Prisoner Learning Alliance today wrote to the new Prisons Minister Rory Stewart OBE MP. He called for an explanation of why the contracts to provide careers advice for prisoners have been terminated without any apparent replacement service in place.
PET joined children and their fathers at HMP Parc to produce an animated film showing the positive impact of education inside.
As the Prisoner Learning Alliance prepares to launch a new membership structure in 2018, we re-visit some of its key successes.
© Prisoners' Education Trust 2024