Full curriculum
Discover the 250 different courses we offer to people in prison, from beekeeping to book keeping, plumbing to Portuguese, up to degree level.
PET funds 250 different courses, in levels and subjects not usually available in prison.
Courses range from beekeeping to bookkeeping and include GCSEs, A Levels, degree-level study and vocational qualifications.
Discover 2018’s most popular coursesHere you’ll find some of our most popular courses, and a list of what else is on offer.
Certificate in Peer Mentoring
This course, developed by PET and co-written by serving prisoner peer-mentors, will be useful for mentors in all roles, including healthcare, workshops and education. Throughout, there is a focus on developing transferable mentoring skills that will be valuable after release, particularly for those looking to work or volunteer in social care setting, work with young people etc. The course deals with the issues, ideas, concept and theory of mentoring.
The course consists of 9 units:
- Mentoring – so what is it?
- Let’s Talk Communication
- More Personal Baggage Than a Coach Tour
- Listening – Er, What?
- Mentoring – So What’s It Good For?
- ‘Nuff Said! – Boundaries and Confidentiality
- Mentoring – Stages and Barriers, and Stages of a Mentoring Relationship
- Mirror, Mirror – Time for Reflection
- Information
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Assignments: 8 assessment areas, consisting of 15 tasks
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments
Tutor Support: None
What’s Next? Understanding Mental Health Care Level 3, or Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care Level 3
Find Out More: The course was featured in a recent issue of Inside Time – read here.
Drawing 1: Drawing Skills
This is a standalone course that develops fundamental drawing techniques such as using line and tone, and understanding perspective, proportion and form. You'll also be encouraged to explore and experiment with surface, scale and media. Please note that learners will need to self-fund or secure a bursary from the OCA for part of the cost of this course, before applying to PET for the remaining £500. This course does not come with art materials - PET can consider funding these, but a separate application will need to be made.
The course consists of 5 parts:
- Form and Gesture
- Intimacy
- Expanse
- The Figure and the Head
- Personal Project
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English. No previous art qualifications are required, but a portfolio of drawings must be submitted to the OCA for approval in order for them to offer a bursary.
Assignments: 5 assignments, corresponding to the 5 units. The first is a diagnostic assignment, and not submitted for formal assessment.
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Prisons should secure some basic study equipment such as pencils, paper and a sketchbook. They should also facilitate communication with tutors, and submit assignments. Students can apply to PET for the basic materials if these cannot be sourced internally.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Another OCA Module, such as Painting 1: Understanding Painting Media, or Painting 1: Practice of Painting
Find Out More: From the OCA here
Art Techniques
This course helps learners develop their drawing and painting techniques. Learners will study and practice various concepts including line, tone, shape, and perceptive colour, whilst also gaining a more insightful understanding of leading artists. Please note that this course does not come with art materials - PET can consider funding these, but a separate application will need to be made.
The course consists of 4 sections:
- Introduction
- Still LIfe
- The Human Figure
- Themes
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Assignments: 10 drawn or written assignments. Learners are expected to submit their own works of art and write down their thoughts about pieces covered in the course.
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: As well as supporting completion and submission of assignments, prisons should secure some basic art equipment such as:
- Acrylic Paints
- Paper
- Brushes
- Drawing Media (Crayons, Pencils etc.)
- Sketchbooks
Tutor Support: Yes (12 months)
What’s Next? Art History via NEC, or Practice of Painting via the OCA.
Find Out More: via NEC’s website here
Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment, and Maintenance
This is one of the two Level 2 modules that make up the Principles of Horticulture Certificate. Ideal for those looking to work in amenity horticulture (gardening), it provides a detailed introduction to planning and building gardens and lawns.
The course consists of 4 lessons:
- Garden Features, Plant Selection and Planning
- The Choice, Establishment and Maintenance of Garden Plats and Lawns
- Production of Vegetables and Fruit
- Protected Environments
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Assignments: 4 assignments, 1 for each unit. Each assignment is marked with feedback, and the next lesson is sent out upon receipt of the previous assignment.
Exams: Yes
Prison Support Requirements: Prisons will need to register candidates with HCC when they are ready to sit exams. HCC will help the prison in applying for “Exceptional Supervision”, which allows the prison to become a temporary RHS exam centre. Staff will need to secure a suitable invigilator and room for the exam to take place. RHS will email across the exam papers, and these need to be kept secure, before returning them via recorded post to HCC upon completion.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? The second Level 2 Module is Principles of Plant Growth, Propagation and Development. Upon completion of this course as well, learners will have completed the Level 2 Principles of Horticulture Certificate. It is recommended, but not essential, that learners pass both Level 2 courses before progressing to the RHS Level 3 courses, which PET also fund.
Find Out More: via the Horticultural Correspondence College here
Principles of Plant Growth, Propagation and Development
This is one of the two Level 2 modules that make up the Principles of Horticulture Certificate. This course is ideal for those looking to work in amenity horticulture (gardening), and provides a detailed introduction to plant structure, nutrition, roots, and pests.
The course consists of 4 lessons:
- Plant Classification, Structure, and Function
- Plant Nutrition and Root Environment
- Maintaining Plant Health
- Understanding Plant Propagation
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Assignments: 4 assignments, 1 for each unit. Each assignment is marked with feedback, and the next lesson is sent out upon receipt of the previous assignment.
Exams: Yes
Prison Support Requirements: Prisons will need to register candidates with HCC when they are ready to sit exams. HCC will help the prison in applying for “Exceptional Supervision”, which allows the prison to become a temporary RHS exam centre. Staff will need to secure a suitable invigilator and room for the exam to take place. RHS will email across the exam papers, and these need to be kept secure, before returning them via recorded post to HCC upon completion.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? The second Level 2 Module is Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment, and Maintenance. Upon completion of this course as well, learners will have completed the Level 2 Principles of Horticulture Certificate. It is recommended, but not essential, that learners pass both Level 2 courses before progressing to the RHS Level 3 courses, which PET also fund.
Find Out More: From the Horticultural Correspondence College here
Snack Bar / Café and Fast Food Management
This course is suitable for those looking to improve their knowledge in the sector, and to operate profitably and professionally. Students will examine a range of topics enabling them to understand the broad range of tasks required to be successful in running a snack bar or fast food outlet.
The course consists of 14 units:
- Menus
- Recipes
- Purchasing
- Specifications
- Food Preparation
- Service
- Marketing
- Controls
- Standards
- Training
- Physical plant
- General Layout and Design Principles
- Safety
- Hygiene
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Assignments: 14 assignments, 1 at the end of each unit
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Food and Beverages Management, Hotel Management (both Stonebridge), or IOSH Managing Safely (Clwyd Associates)
Find Out More: From Stonebridge here
Understanding Working in the Health Sector
This course is designed for students who are considering, or starting out in, a career in the health sector. It equips learners with underpinning knowledge and understanding of the sector and the wide range of roles within it. This course develops the knowledge and understanding needed to become an effective member of a health care team.
The course consists of six units:
- The role of the healthcare worker
- Communication skills
- Personal development in the health sector
- Health, safety and security in the health sector
- Understanding quality standrds
- Equality, diversity and inclusion
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Assignments: Each unit is followed by a written assignment (compromising a portfolio of evidence of learning), which is submitted and then assessed by your tutor
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Support submitting assignments
Tutor Support: Yes, for up to 12 months
What’s Next? Level 3 Award in Health and Social Care RQF from NCC
Find Out More: From the Distance Learning Centre directly
Languages
Linguaphone offers "Complete Courses" (Beginner to Intermediate to Advanced), in various languages. They are for learners interested in learning how to speak a new language, rather than gaining a new qualification.
The following languages are available:
English, Dutch, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Turkish, Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Swedish, Thai and Greek.
Entry Requirements: English Level 2
Assignments: None – these is a self-assessed course.
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Ensure access to a CD Player
Tutor Support: No
What’s Next? Another Language!
Find Out More: Linguaphone offer further information here.
Arboriculture
A course that delivers a good theoretical knowledge of arboriculture leading to an industry recognised qualification endorsed by the Royal Forestry Society
The course consists of five compulsory units:
- Soil Environments and Woody Plants
- Woody Plant Physiology
- Supply, Planting and Aftercare of Woody Plants
- Principles of Tree Surgery Operations
- Tree inspections and Common Law
Plus one of these optional units:
- Principles of Woodlands, Forestry and Ecology
- Principles of Aerial Surgery
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English, but no prior knowledge of this subject is necessary
Assignments: Each lesson requires an assignments which is marked and given feedback
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Support / facilitate assignment submission
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s next? OU Access Module Science, Technology and Maths, leading to an open degree in Natural Sciences
Find out more: From the HCC’s website here
NEBOSH Level 3 National Certificate in Construction Health and Safety
The NEBOSH courses are designed for safety practitioners who wish to take professional qualifications. They provide core health and safety knowledge that is transferable across both the private and the public sector. The qualifications are in great demand across a range of industries.
This course consists of three units:
- NGC1 – Management of Health and Safety
- NCC1 – Managing and Controlling Hazards in Construction Activities
- NCC2 – Construction Health and Safety: Practical Application
Entry requirements: Level 2 English
Assignments: None, but coursework completion is desirable and marked by a tutor (100 questions)
Exams: Two closed book exams on the same day for units NGC1 and NCC1. The NCC2 unit is a workplace practical assessment which needs to be submitted to the course provider.
Prison support requirements: Support to submit coursework; organise and invigilate exams. The Hughes and Ferrett NEBOSH book is also desirable.
Tutor support: Yes
What’s next: NEBOSH National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety (Level 6)