Enrichment competition to further engage learners in education at HMP Berwyn

Recently, learners across different vocational workshops at HMP Berwyn took part in the ‘Castles of Wales’ competition, to further engage learners in the education provision. The project was structured as part of the creative enrichment strategy, emphasising creative expression and teamwork.  

'Castles of Wales' competition to further engage learners in education

Berwyn’s prison group director opened up the ‘Castles of Wales’ competition to learners across all Essential Skills Wales (ESW) vocations in Welsh prisons at the end of 2024.  Learners were tasked with creating something in a workshop or classroom that followed the competition theme and could be created in a variety of ways i.e., through art, digital, drama and construction, with entries being judged in March 2025. 

The project aimed to enhance learners educational and personal development by engaging them in a collaborative, creative and vocationally relevant project that would benefit their educational experience. 

Working collaboratively to build a brick castle at HMP Berwyn

For the competition, Novus Cambria colleagues and learners across four vocational workshops (bricklaying, plastering, bench joinery and site joinery) decided to build a full-scale castle. All participants collaborated on the design and construction of the brick castle, with tutors encouraging learners to take ownership of the project by contributing ideas, solving problems and executing the construction of the castle.

The project included various architectural features such as a gateway with a drawbridge and portcullis, circular turrets, and a timber lintel engraved with the castle name in Welsh. Throughout the project, learners had to work together and rely on each other’s different vocational skills in order to construct the castle successfully. 

Through the enrichment competition, learners have been able to enhance and develop their vocational skills gaining experience in design, construction and problem-solving and work as part of a team. However, the creative enrichment element has also allowed learners to explore their creativity and artistic abilities further engaging them in the project, as well as enhancing their cultural capital by incorporating the Welsh language into the construction of the castle. 

The project has been a huge success with learners commenting positively on the experience:

“It has been great working on the castle because it's let us to use our own ideas and imagination. We had to work out what would work design wise and make sure that it was in proportion. As the work went on, we kept coming up with more ideas, so it just kept growing. I'm really proud with what we've produced."

"I looked after making sure the lads had all the materials they needed and made sure that nothing held them up. I did a lot of the pointing on the brickwork as well. It was good to use the things I've learnt on the bricklaying course on a proper build. It's made me think that I would be able to use these skills on the out and that I've done something worthwhile. I think we can win this."

Creative enrichment projects like this, give learners the opportunity to work with other learners across workshops as well as helping them develop their skills in their chosen vocation as well as learning new skills from their peers and tutors. By incorporating creative enrichment in vocational workshops, it allows learners to explore their creativity and design skills, further engaging them in education as well as developing their creative skills. However, projects like this go beyond the educational experience of learners, they also positively impact a learner’s self-esteem and confidence.

Thanks to the project, all learners involved got to experience pride and satisfaction in seeing their designs come to life and contributing to a large-scale project. Being able to positively contribute to a project like this, shows learners what they are capable of and gives them the confidence to participate in education and wider projects and initiatives. 

To learn more about our creative enrichment provision and how we engage learners in enrichment opportunities, take a look at our 2024/25 creative enrichment strategy.