About Us
Building futures through education and opportunity
At Novus, we believe in the power of our education to change lives.
We are driven by a shared commitment and care, and are delighted to work in partnership to achieve our mission.
Creating foundations for change
At Novus we work with passion to create the foundations for change and believe in the power of our services to improve lives.
We are driven by a shared commitment and care, and are delighted to work in partnership to achieve our mission.
For almost 30 years Novus has been helping offenders change direction and we are proud to have directly contributed to the sustainable rehabilitation, resettlement and employment of tens of thousands of individuals across England and Wales.
Part of LTE Group
Novus is part of the LTE Group, a UK social enterprise dedicated to improving lives and economic success through learning and skills. We fulfil our Group’s social mission by providing the learning, skills and opportunity that offenders need to build positive futures for themselves, their families and our communities.
Strength in Partnership
Backed by the strength of the Group and our sister organisations – leading providers of apprenticeships and work-based training, technical and professional higher education, further education and professional development, we offer our learners wider opportunities to continue their progression and prospects beyond the gate.
Expert and Inclusive Delivery
Our team of highly qualified, experienced teachers, tutors and trainers provide accessible and inclusive educational services that meet the needs of all learners, delivered through blended, group, one-to-one and remote learning in secure settings and in the community.
Creating Pathways to a Positive Future
Everything we do is focused on empowering our learners to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to move forward and build brighter futures for themselves and those around them.
Our Provision: The Foundations for Change
English, Maths and Digital Skills
Vocational and
Technical Education
Higher Level and
Distance Learning
Progression and
Career Pathways
Enrichment and Engagement
Support
Mission, Vision & Values
At Novus, our mission is to offer learning, skills and opportunity that allow our learners to build positive futures for themselves, their families, and their communities.
We are driven by our vision of a society where everyone, regardless of background, has the chance to fulfil their potential through access to quality education, training and support.
Our work is grounded in our values—integrity, a can-do attitude, continual improvement, sustainability, guiding how we act, how we partner, and how we change lives.
Mission & values
Our People
At Novus, we are proud of our diverse team of tutors, trainers, learner-support specialists, local education managers, leadership and support staff, united by a shared belief in the power of learning and skills to transform lives.
We build on more than just qualifications and experience; our people bring passion, care, professionalism and commitment to supporting offenders to change their direction.
We invest in our people through growth, wellbeing, recognition, and giving everyone a voice so they have the tools and opportunities to grow, develop, and deliver our mission with excellence.
Meet the teamOur Story
Since 1993, Novus has been helping offenders change direction and build new futures.
We started with a simple belief: that with the right learning, skills and opportunity, people can turn their lives around. Over the years we’ve grown with the LTE Group into a UK-wide social enterprise, expanding our reach, expertise and impact.
From the beginning, our focus has been on accessible, inclusive education in secure settings and in the community, providing English, Maths, Vocational training, digital skills, enrichment and support to help learners thrive.
Read the full story
Our Conferences
Novus hosts industry-leading conferences that bring together professionals, learners, and partners to explore the power and future of prison education.
These events, like Novus 30 Years: The Power of Prison Education and Moving On 2022: The Future of Prison Education, feature panel discussions, learner voices, expert speeches, and recorded sessions so anyone can engage with the insights.
They help us share best practice, influence policy, and spark action, ensuring education, training and employability continue improving outcomes for people in custody and beyond.
Watch conference recordingsOur Podcast
Discover our podcast where we delve into the transformative power of prison education.
Each episode features diverse voices from across the sector, discussing topics such as arts and enrichment, neurodiversity, employment pathways, and the experiences of those working within the system.
Listen to our latest episodes
Equality and Diversity
At Novus, we are committed to providing an environment where everyone is valued as an individual and where learners and colleagues can work, learn, flourish, and develop their skills and knowledge in an atmosphere of dignity and respect.
We are dedicated to working inclusively with all the communities in which we are geographically located and to developing a workforce and learner community that reflects the UK's rich diversity and vibrancy.
Equality and diversityBuilding positive futures
We engage with over 60,000 learners and every one of our services have been designed to be accessible and usable and to ensure that learners of all ages, abilities and circumstances can progress. We are passionate in our care and positive in our outlook.
Our extensive expertise of providing support to individuals helps them to achieve their potential. Through our unique Novus Works Employer Partnership programme, we are working with over 200 quality, socially engaged employers, providing sustainable career pathways.
Our success as an organisation and team is based around collaboration with our service commissioners, partners and learners. We work together with our public, community and employer partners, including the Ministry of Justice, Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service, Youth Custody Service, G4S, MTC, National, devolved and local governments, charities, Local Enterprise Partnerships and employers, towards shared aims, helping individuals turn their lives around.
Grow with Novus
We want everyone to grow with Novus.
Novus has been commissioned as the education provider at 43 adult men’s and women’s prisons across England under the Prison Education Framework contract; at two privately operated adult men’s prisons and two Young Offenders Institutions. In Wales, we have Novus Cambria, a joint venture with Coleg Cambria, delivering learning and skills at HMP Berwyn, and Novus Gower, a joint venture with Gower College Swansea, doing the same at HMP Parc.
We also provide a wide range of additional educational, training, enrichment and support services at prisons across England and Wales.
We are a values-based organisation that has people at its heart. This includes not only our learners, but colleagues, whose ongoing personal and professional growth and development are important to us. We want everyone to have the opportunity to grow with Novus.
