A Good Ofsted rating for HMP Stafford

We are pleased to announce that HMP Stafford have received a ‘Good’ overall rating in their recent HMIP inspection.

Congratulations to everyone at HMP Stafford, it’s a real collaborative effort from HMPPS  and Novus colleagues, along with other supporting organisations and it is making a real difference to our learners. 

Broad, ambitious and relevant range of courses to support employment opportunities 

We have had a real focus on improving quality across all Novus education provisions, so we are delighted that there were many positive comments regarding our broad curriculum offer within the report, including: 

Leaders offered a broad, ambitious and relevant range of courses across education and skills

“They had considered carefully the employment routes available to prisoners on release.”

“Staff recognised that self-employment was a suitable option for some prisoners and taught them about this through an informative enterprise course.”

“Many of the vocational courses gave prisoners the skills in areas where there is a demand from employers, such as bricklaying, plastering and painting and decorating.”

Finding employment opportunities upon release is integral to a leaner’s successful rehabilitation and without these opportunities, learners are at risk of reoffending on release, so it’s fantastic to see the work that we are doing in supporting learners to be ready for employment on release has been recognised. 

Providing support for neurodiverse learners

In the report, Ofsted also made positive comments around the support offered to neurodiverse learners:

Across education, skills and work staff had implemented suitable strategies to support prisoners with SEND

“The neurodiversity manager provided strategies and resources which instructors used in workshops, ranging from reading pens to ear defenders.”

“Staff identified quickly where prisoners had any additional support needs, including information about prisoners' reading skills.”

“Prisoners with SEND achieved qualifications in line with their peers and were able to work in the roles on offer.”

Many neurodiverse prisoners struggle to access education. Which is why at Novus we place a particular importance on providing support for neurodiverse learners, so that all learners can access our education provision. So, it was great to see Ofsted acknowledge this.

It was also great to see Ofsted acknowledge our trained and experienced SENCos, tutors, trainers and teachers and their integral role in supporting neurodiverse learners and the work they do to achieve this. 

Fostering a positive culture of reading

Our reading strategy is a main focus across Novus establishments with colleagues implementing the reading strategy across the whole education provision, to provide more opportunities for learners to enjoy the benefits of reading so, it was great to see Ofsted highlighting this. 

Leaders and managers had implemented a clear reading strategy and promoted reading for both purpose and pleasure

“There was a positive culture of reading, with reading activities taking place during lessons and in the evenings.”

“Leaders had provided training for staff and mentors in phonics and purchased training from Shannon Trust.” 

“Prisoners read books to support their learning as well as for pleasure with several reporting they had become avid readers, exploring different genres.”

Training and CPD for Novus colleagues 

At Novus, we offer training, CPD and support to all Novus colleagues so that they can continuously improve and progress in their careers. Offering further training and CPD allows colleagues to learn new skills and strategies that they can implement in their education offer, further benefiting them professionally as well as benefiting learners in their education journey. 

In the report, Ofsted commented positively on the training and support Novus colleagues receive:

Managers at the education provider, Novus had put in place suitable training for tutors such as a level 5 teaching qualification.

“Tutors used what they learned on the training to implement effective teaching methods.”

At Novus, you don’t need to be a qualified teacher in the first instance to enter a career in prison education, we also offer teaching roles to unqualified teachers who have industry experience as well as Veterans.

Whilst working for Novus as an unqualified teacher, colleagues will be given the opportunity to gain their teaching qualification, at no cost to the individual for the course, enabling more people to pursue a career in prison education. It was fantastic to see HMP Stafford, being acknowledged for the training and CPD support that is offered to Novus colleagues, and it is great to see colleagues taking that training and implementing it in their education offer to provide high quality education to learners. 

If you would like to read the report in full, you can do so here.