Inspection Praises Novus Gower Education Provision at YOI Parc

Novus Gower Education Initiatives Help Make YOI Parc One of the Leading Young Offender Institutions in England and Wales

Independent Inspection Praises Education Provision at YOI Parc

A series of innovative education initiatives delivered by Novus Gower at YOI Parc in Bridgend, South Wales, have contributed to the institution being recognised as one of the leading young offender institutions in England and Wales.

A recent inspection by HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP), conducted alongside Welsh education inspectorate Estyn, awarded Novus Gower's education provision its highest possible rating of "Good Overall". The report praised the quality of teaching, learner support and curriculum development, with inspectors describing YOI Parc as "arguably the best in England and Wales."

The findings highlight the positive impact of education in youth custody and reinforce the role of Novus Gower in helping young people develop skills, qualifications and confidence for a more positive future.

How Novus Gower Is Transforming Education at YOI Parc

Novus Gower, a partnership between Novus and Gower College Swansea, delivers education and skills programmes at YOI Parc. The inspection found significant progress since the previous review, with improvements in teaching quality, curriculum planning and learner outcomes.

Inspectors noted that Novus Gower has invested heavily in professional development for staff, helping to raise teaching standards while creating a clearer and more effective educational vision for learners.

The report also recognised the breadth of support available, highlighting how the education provision meets a wide range of learner needs. This includes specialist support for learners studying towards A Levels and those with English as an additional language, drawing on expertise from the adult prison provision where appropriate.

Reading, Personal Development and Welsh Culture at the Heart of Learning

The inspection praised the strong relationships between teachers and learners, alongside a range of initiatives designed to support personal development.

A comprehensive reading strategy has helped encourage literacy development, while learners also benefit from opportunities to engage with the Welsh language and gain a greater understanding of Welsh culture and heritage.

Physical education programmes were also recognised for supporting wellbeing, confidence and personal growth among learners.

Exceeding National Expectations for Education in Custody

One of the standout findings from the inspection was the amount of education time available to learners at YOI Parc.

Novus Gower currently delivers 25 hours of planned education per week, significantly exceeding the government minimum requirement of 15 hours for young people in custody.

The results demonstrate the impact of this investment in learning. During 2025:

• 191 courses were completed
• 166 qualifications were achieved across a range of levels
• Learners continued to make strong progress towards educational and personal goals

These achievements further strengthen YOI Parc's reputation for delivering high-quality education within the youth justice sector.

New Education Initiatives Driving Positive Outcomes

Between August and December 2025, Novus Gower introduced several new initiatives designed to enhance learner engagement, motivation and progression.

These include:

Behaviour Framework with Incentives

A new behaviour framework incorporating financial rewards has helped learners better understand behaviour expectations and consequences. Staff feedback indicates the initiative has improved engagement and accountability.

Individual Progress Tracking

Every learner now benefits from a personalised progress tracking system and individual learning plan. This allows learners and staff to regularly review achievements, identify development areas and set future goals.

Peer Mentoring Programme

Novus Gower has also introduced peer mentoring opportunities, enabling learners preparing to transition into adult establishments to receive support and guidance from their peers.

Together, these initiatives are helping to create a positive learning culture that supports achievement and long-term rehabilitation.

Leadership Perspective: Education Creates Lasting Change

Annick Platt, Director of Novus Gower, said:

"Some of these schemes sound quite simple on their own, but when put together they are very powerful. They help support learners and staff while creating a positive impact across the institution.

"The benefits extend beyond the learners themselves. Families see loved ones taking steps towards employment and better opportunities, while communities benefit from lower reoffending rates. This report validates the work we have been doing at YOI Parc to introduce meaningful initiatives that improve outcomes for young offenders."

Strong Partnership Delivering Results

Kelly Fountain, CEO of Gower College Swansea, highlighted the success of the partnership behind Novus Gower.

She said:

"We are incredibly proud of what has been achieved at YOI Parc through our partnership with Novus. To be recognised as arguably the best young offenders' institution in England and Wales is a testament to the dedication of everyone involved in delivering education there.

"As a college, we believe education has the power to transform lives. The results we are seeing at YOI Parc, from qualification achievements to reduced reoffending, demonstrate that when the right support and opportunities are in place, young people can and do thrive."

Education Supporting Rehabilitation and Reducing Reoffending

The inspection findings build on previous HMIP statistics released in 2025, which showed YOI Parc achieved the strongest education standards for children in custody across England and Wales.

Survey results also revealed:

• Only 4% of children were not participating in purposeful activity, compared with figures as high as 39% at some other young offender institutions.
• 90% of children felt staff encouraged them to achieve the objectives outlined in their sentencing plans.

These results demonstrate how high-quality education and learner support can play a critical role in rehabilitation, helping young people develop the skills, qualifications and confidence needed to build successful futures.

Novus Gower's Commitment to Educational Excellence

The latest inspection findings reinforce Novus Gower's commitment to delivering outstanding education, skills and personal development opportunities for young people in custody.

By combining innovative learning programmes, dedicated staff and strong partnership working, Novus Gower continues to help learners at YOI Parc achieve positive outcomes, reduce reoffending and prepare for successful lives beyond custody.