How to prepare for a career in teaching in prisons

Embarking on a career in prison teaching requires a unique set of skills, along with a comprehensive understanding of the transformative power of prison education. While some aspects may seem daunting, teaching within a prison setting is one of the most rewarding career paths there is, supporting and encouraging prisoners to make a positive change in their lives. 

Teaching with Novus equips you with the specialised skills and expertise necessary to contribute to the successful rehabilitation of thousands of prisoners across the UK and Wales.  

In this article, we’ll be taking a look at how best to prepare for a prison teaching career, as well as what you can expect as you begin this next step. 

Preparing for a career in teaching in prisons

Due to the wide and versatile range of roles, you don’t need to be a qualified teacher in the first instance to apply for a prison teaching role at Novus. If you are a qualified teacher, an individual with years of industry experience or leaving the armed forces, there are plenty of career pathways available to you. If you are not a qualified teacher, we will help and support you in obtaining your teaching qualifications whilst working at Novus. 

Working in prison education provides a unique opportunity to help vulnerable people empower and upskill themselves. To be able to do this effectively, our teachers need to be equipped with the skills and knowledge required to work with learners in a prison setting. 

Develop flexibility and adaptability in your teaching style

Teaching in prisons is a rewarding career with opportunities for fulfilment and growth. No two days in prison education are the same, you will need to be flexible with the ability to work well and communicate with others.

Help learners secure employment 

As a prison educator, you will help learners across the country complete accredited training programmes which will help them secure employment upon release. Doing this provides financial and mental security to our learners, in turn reducing the reoffending rate. 

Embrace daily challenges and foster engaged learning

At Novus, every day in prison is different and provides a new challenge for our education team. Many learners have a limited or negative experience with education based on their school experiences from a young age and have a limited belief in the potential of learning. Which means as a tutor it is your job to engage learners in education and enrichment programmes so that they are better equipped for life outside of prison. 

Our education provision is specifically designed and tailored to meet the needs of our learners so that all learners can benefit from the education and enrichment provisions we provide.

Communicate effectively with colleagues and learners

Being able to communicate effectively is essential in a prison setting. You will be working with people from a diverse range of backgrounds, and experiences so compassion and open-mindedness is crucial. 

Teaching in prisons with Novus

Novus have been a leader in delivering education to prison learners across the UK and Wales for over 30 years. We believe that education is the key to success for learners and we support thousands of learners to gain qualifications, as well as many others into employment upon release. 

We have a wide curriculum offer so that we can give as many prison learners as possible the opportunity to engage in education in a way that meets their individual needs. 

What we do

We deliver a wide range of education, training, employment and support services for prison learners to help equip them with the skills and qualifications necessary to find employment upon release including: 

• Functional skills – English, maths and digital
• Vocational and technical courses 
• Higher level and distance learning
• Creative enrichment 
• Employment support through Novus Works

What to expect 

The role of a prison teacher can be varied and change on a day-to-day basis. Responsibilities can include: 

• Developing lesson plans in line with curriculum and targets
• Contributing to individual learning plans to provide extra support where needed
• Working with colleagues to support learner outcomes
• Supporting learners in all aspects of achieving their accreditations and qualifications 
• Ensuring the safeguarding of all learners

Changing lives as a prison educator

Teaching in prisons is a rewarding career with opportunities for professional growth and development. The educators and teachers who work at Novus have a direct and tangible impact on the learners they support, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to find employment upon release and successfully reintegrate back into society. 

However, your role as a prison teacher goes beyond equipping learners with the technical skills and qualifications needed to find employment upon release, you will also support learners with their personal development. Inspiring and encouraging learners to make a positive change in their lives isn’t possible unless they believe in themselves and their abilities, which is why, as a prison educator you will be responsible for helping learners realise their full potential, so they can be successfully rehabilitated. 

Educating learners isn’t possible without our experienced and dedicated team of educators. If you are interested in working for Novus, take a look at our careers section.