HMP Stafford Prioritises Digital Skills to Boost Learning

Following on from HMP Stafford’s recent HMIP Inspection and overall ‘Good’ rating, the Novus education team at HMP Stafford have been making excellent progress with their digital provision and have been developing this key area ready for future inspections to hopefully achieve an ‘Outstanding’ result. 

Strong focus on digital

There is a strong focus at HMP Stafford on developing and enhancing learner’s wider skills, and the teachers at Stafford extensively promote the use of digital skills throughout their curriculum and day to day sessions.

They regularly go beyond the expected, so that learners have access to a wide and rich set of experiences in the digital field which will ultimately, prepare them with a solid foundation for their onward progression in the modern world.

Digital training for colleagues

Novus colleagues regularly engage in internal and external training events, to better their own digital skills and during Stafford’s March 25 training shutdown day, the Digital Learning Team attended the establishment to talk about the different AI opportunities that are available and how AI can be used in everyday teaching and learning.

All participants fully embraced this session and follow up conversations have confirmed that AI is now embedded across all areas of the curriculum.  Open Borders is also regularly used to enable an innovative approach to learning with several learners commenting in end of course surveys and learner journeys how this has enhanced their learning experience, giving them an awareness of how the digital world is fast becoming an integral part of our daily lives.

Examples of digital usage from HMP Stafford colleagues

Colleagues across the education department at Stafford have been embedding digital tools in their education delivery to enhance learning and provide great quality education to learners.

Joey, a teacher at HMP Stafford introduced AI and emerging technologies such as TeacherMatic, interactive icebreakers via YouTube and other resource materials with excellent results! Incorporating these tools into his delivery has been a transformative experience for learners and their personal growth, engagement and ability in using new emerging tech.

TeacherMatic has allowed Joey to incorporate a fun and engaging aspect to learning by using resources such as the ‘Ask Someone Famous’ prompts to explore course-related ideas. For example, learners might ask Richard Branson how he got started in business. This use of real-world voices resonates strongly with the students—it inspires them and boosts their motivation. Joey’s classroom is a space of creativity and enrichment, further promoting a diverse and dynamic learning environment.

By incorporating AI and interactive materials into the learning process, he has been able to empower his learners on how to think critically and creatively – resulting in his goal of being able to collaborate and develop ideas across the board.

Business Enterprise

Steve, another Novus teacher has started to use the AI chat function on TeacherMatic to support learners during their Business Enterprise Skills course, where learners have been struggling to come up with a name for their business enterprise. The class have been asking the AI chat function to provide some examples of potential names to help inspire them, which learners can then potentially use as their business enterprise name.

He has also started to use the Brittanica Encyclopaedia website to help learners research products and services for their business, which is a great tool for independent research tasks. They have also used the AI Chat with ‘Ask a famous person’ on TeacherMatic where learners have been able to ask questions to Entrepreneurs and Enterprising people about the possible products and services that they plan to use/provide through their business enterprise.

Independent Living and PSD Course

Jon, the Independent Living and PSD Course teacher embraces digital in his education offer. Learners who enrol on the Independent Living Skills and Personal & Social Development courses at HMP Stafford are encouraged to embrace Digital skills development from the moment they first enter the classroom. Learners complete a digital induction booklet, diagnostic and ILPs as part of their course induction.  Introducing digital skills on day 1 of their program of learning allows me to assess their current skills and knowledge and identify ‘digital’ support needs and strategies from the onset.

Course activities include learning how to use Microsoft applications to produce formal letters. Examples include letters reporting housing related issues to landlords, covering letters to employers and letters to creditors. Learners are encouraged to create financial statements detailing income and expenditure and they are provided with a range of online debt support agencies which can alleviate some of the financial and mental pressures they may be facing.  The men are encouraged to take part in collaborative learning activities and create and present PowerPoint Presentations on a range of course associated topics as part of their assessment activities.   These include presentations on hobbies, personal safety and healthy living. Learners even get to design and pitch a cleaning product in the ‘Dragons Den.’

Additionally, learners are introduced to online support agencies that can assist them with a range of personal and social issues including, housing support, mental health and addiction services, debt and financial education to name a few.  Learners are provided with information and demonstrations on how to access support from a wide range of government services and charities as a way of reducing reoffending and adapting to life back in the community on release. 

Nic Randles, Local Education Manager at HMP Stafford commented positively on the digital provision:

“At Stafford, we are always on the look-out for how we can better our provision and delivery, particularly around the wider skills development and we will be looking to enhance our digital provision even further over the coming months.

I am extremely proud to lead an ambitious team of staff who always strive for the very best in all that they do.  Digital skills are no exception!

In order for our learners to integrate back into society, it is vital that they are given the opportunity to gain and expand their digital skills whilst in prison. So, it’s great to see HMP Stafford prioritise their digital provision and expand their offer, so that learners can be equipped with the skills needed to be successful upon release.

To learn more about our digital provision, take a look at our 2024/25 digital strategy.