Prisoners’ Education Trust – Course Prospectus 2024-2025
Download PET's Course Prospectus - our comprehensive guide to the distance learning courses we offer, with information on how to apply and how to prepare to study.
PET offers over 130 distance learning courses in every prison in England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
We offer courses in a range of sectors – from health and social care to transport and logistics – as well as GCSEs, A-levels and Open University Access modules. Here you’ll find information about every course we offer.
CIMA Accredited Sage Certificate
Jointly developed by Sage and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), this course offers a grounding in computerised accounting. It provides you with an introduction to the Sage 50 software and gives you the practical skills required by businesses to perform accounting functions. You will find out more about concepts like transactions, reconciliation, management and reporting, VAT returns, remittance, and project costing.
The course consists of seven units:
- Introduction: How to make full use of the software, back-up, restore and data security
- Transactions from customers and suppliers, including invoice creation
- Cash, bank and budget control and reconciliation
- Management and comparative reporting
- VAT returns, EC sales and Intrastat
- Tailoring reports and layouts including email statements and remittances
- Project (job) costing for detailed individual job / project control
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English and Maths, plus a Sage Level 3 qualification
Format of course materials: CD-ROMs and workbooks
Assignments: A series of self-assessed tests and a case study
Exams: Two exams
Prison Support Requirements: Ensure and facilitate PC Access. Facilitate and Invigilate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s next? CIMA Acccredited Sage Level 5 Higher Certificate
Find out more: On Sage’s website here
Classical Civilisation A-Level Part 1
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.
You will not have the option to take the AS exam at the end of Part 1 of this course. After completing Part 1, you should apply for Part 2. Having completed both parts, you can then take the full A-Level exams which will cover everything learned in Part 1 and 2.
This course has six lessons:
- Homer’s world of the hero – The Odyssey (1)
- Homer’s world of the hero – The Odyssey (2)
- Virgil’s world of the hero – The Aeneid (1)
- Virgil’s world of the hero – The Aeneid (2)
- Greek Theatre – Oedipus the King
- The Theatre of Dionysus – Bacchae
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Seven written assignments. These do not count towards the final grade.
Exams: None – go straight to Part 2
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Classical Civilisation A-Level Part 2
Find Out More: From NEC here
Classical Civilisation A-Level Part 2
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:
- Old Comedy – The Frogs
- The Greeks and their Gods
- Sanctuaries, Ritual and Philosophy
- Sanctuary Sites: Acropolis, Delphi and Olympia
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)
- 2 hours, 20 minutes (40% of marks)
- 1 hour, 45 minutes (30% of marks)
- 1 hour, 45 minutes (30% of marks)
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
CMI Level 3 in Principles of Management and Leadership
This course will provide you with the broad knowledge and skills needed to improve your managerial ability. It focuses on the way organisations operate, as well as the application of management and leadership approaches. You will also study how to manage teams effectively, create cohesive workplaces, and overcome barriers to achievement.
The course consists of two core units:
- Unit 301: Principles of Management and Leadership
This unit includes: Ways Organisations Operate, Application of Management, Leadership Approaches
- Unit 302: Managing a Team to Achieve Results
This unit includes: Understanding the Nature of Teams in the Workplace, How to achieve results
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Two practice assignments and two CMI formal assignments
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments
Tutor Support: Yes
Find Out More: From NEC’s website here
CMI Level 5 in Management and Leadership
This qualification, specifically adapted by NEC, is aimed at both practicing and aspiring managers and leaders who are accountable to senior managers or business owners. The course will teach learners how to be more effective at managing individuals and teams and to deliver aims and objectives in line with an organization’s strategy. Learners will focus on the principles of managing, and approaches for supporting, motivating and inspiring both teams and individuals to exceed expectations.
The course consists of two core units:
- Unit 501: Principles of Management in an Organizational Context
This unit includes: Evaluating the impact of an organization’s structure and governance, Exploring theoretical models, management and leadership styles, and Approaches designed to promote a culture of mutual trust and respect
- Unit 502: Developing, Managing and Leading Individuals and Teams to Achieve Success
This unit includes: Theoretical and practical approaches to developing, leading and managing teams, Techniques to assess current and future team capabilities, and the role of recruitment, selection and staff development
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English, plus a Level 3 Management qualification
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Two practice assignments and two CMI formal assignments
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments
Tutor Support: Yes
Find Out More: From NEC here
Combined Science IGCSE
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:
- Physics (Motion, Matter, Energy)
- Chemistry (Atoms, Molecules, Bonds)
- Biology (Cells, Nutrients and Nutrition)
- Physics 2 ( Waves, Light, Electromagnetic Spectrum)
- Chemistry 2 (Electricity, Acids, Reactivity, Ions and Gases)
- Biology 2 (Transport, circulation, respiration, co-ordination)
- Physics 3 (Sound, electricity, circuits)
- Chemistry 3 (Metals, reactions, fuels)
- Biology 3 (Reproduction, ecosystems)
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
Creating and Starting a Digital Business
This course is ideal whether you are looking to launch a small local enterprise or you have aspirations to run a global digital company. It covers marketing, business planning, finance and networking – taking you from the business conception through to making your first sale. It will bring you up to date with current technological possibilities too. The course provider, Rocketeer, will also give you access to their resources after release, and offer bespoke support for your business through the gate.
The course consists of five steps:
Step 1: Research – How to Find Your Money-Making Opportunity
Step 2: Choose – How to Narrow Down the Right Business Idea for You
Step 3: Design – Plan For Success
Step 4: Build – How to Construct Your Business
Step 5: Launch – How to Start Making Money
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Three written assignments
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Principles of Management Level 3 RQF (NCC Home Learning)
Find Out More: Rocketeer provide more information here
Creative Writing Part 1
This course gives you the skills to improve your writing ability and boost your confidence. You will cover the basics of writing for all genres and discover the power of using creative writing to improve your mental health and sense of wellbeing.
The course covers the following subjects:
Unit 1 Introduction to Writing
- Topic 1 Finding ideas
- Topic 2 Character creation
- Topic 3 Plot and conflict
- Topic 4 Setting and world-building
- Topic 5 Writing is editing
Unit 2 Writing for Wellbeing
- Topic 1 Warming up – Flex your writing muscle
- Topic 2 Writing from objects
- Topic 3 Writing from poetry
- Topic 4 Writing from places
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Materials: Paper
Assignments: 8 to 9 self-assessed progress checks
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Facilitate tutor support
Tutor Support: Yes
Creative Writing Part 2A – Writing Novels and Writing Short Stories
This course is a follow-up to Part 1, and it focuses on the key skills needed to write stories. You will explore how to structure a short story and how to structure a novel, including beginnings and endings. You will practise different ways of approaching conflict and character, and ultimately hone your narrative-writing craft.
Unit 1 Writing Short Stories
- Topic 1 Planning and structure
- Topic 2 Show and tell
- Topic 3 Subtext and genre
- Topic 4 Bringing everything together
Unit 2 Writing Novels
- Topic 1 Planning, structure, and theme
- Topic 2 Character development
- Topic 3 Conflict, conflict, conflict
PET entry requirements: Level 2 English
Format of course material: Paper-based
Assignments: Seven Progress Checks and Two assignments
Exam: No
Prison support requirements: Support assessment submission and contact supplier for tutor support
Tutor support: Tutors give support by providing feedback answering queries.
Creative Writing Part 2B – Writing for a Living and Writing Non-Fiction
This course is a follow-up to Part 1, and it provides you with the introductory guidance you need to start turning your creativity into cash, whether through traditional or non-traditional publishing paths. Non-Fiction gets you practising different types of non-fiction writing, including reviews, articles, travel writing and biography.
Unit 1 Writing Short Stories
- Topic 1 Planning and structure
- Topic 2 Show and tell
- Topic 3 Subtext and genre
- Topic 4 Bringing everything together
Unit 2 Writing Novels
- Topic 1 Planning, structure, and theme
- Topic 2 Character development
- Topic 3 Conflict, conflict, conflict
PET entry requirements: Level 2 English
Format of course material: Paper-based
Assignments Seven Progress: Checks and Two assignments
Exam: No
Prison support requirements: Support assessment submission and contact supplier for tutor support
Tutor support: Tutors give support by providing feedback answering queries.