Skip links

Coronavirus information Read more

COVID-19 UPDATE 07.01.2021

COVID-19 and national restrictions meant we needed to quickly respond to a new way of delivery in prison education. Our teams have worked tirelessly to create workbooks and provide new ways of working so that we can continue to support our learners with access to education to enable them to achieve the best outcome they can. 

We are working closely with Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and Youth Custody Service (YCS) to create a COVID-safe programme of learning that has the health and safety of our learners and colleagues at its heart, just as other education settings are doing across the country. Health and safety is an area of critical importance to us and our central Group COVID team has been in continuous operation since the beginning of the pandemic managing and monitoring all risks and issues rigorously and consistently.

About
Creating Foundations for Change Our Story Our Practice Our People Our Locations Equality and Diversity Project and Service Delivery Partnerships
Adult Provision
New Directions Working in Partnership Tate Exchange
Youth Provision
New Directions Working in Partnership Custody to the Community Tate Liverpool
Novus Works
Novus Works Partner Employers Employer Charter
Careers
Let’s Work Together Teach With Novus
News & Case Studies

Contact Us

  • About Us
  • Adult Provision
  • Youth Provision
  • Partner With Us
  • Careers
  • News & Case Studies
  • Contact Us
  1. Homepage
  2. News
  3. A Landmark Commission

A Landmark Commission

Youth Provision


Fri 29 May 2015
Alex and Rachel stood infront of the murals they created

When the prison Governor commissioned a series of artworks to be prominently displayed at HMYOI Wetherby, few people could have predicted the outcome, but for Novus Art Tutors Alex Oddie and Rachel Hanks, the end result was never in doubt.

Alex and Rachel were commissioned to produce a series of mural boards based on UK landmarks. At first glance, the task seemed simple enough, but there were caveats to this otherwise straightforward exercise. First, the boards were eight feet by four feet, second the depiction of the landmarks had to include a twist, and finally, the completed boards, all 30 of them, were to be displayed at the entrance to HMYOI Wetherby for all to see, and therefore had to withstand the British four-seasons-in-one-day weather.

Undeterred by the enormity of the task, Alex and Rachel put together a brief, advertising the project to young offenders, to which the Tutors received a huge response. The twist on the UK landmark prompted varying degrees of lateral thought, from a rescue operation at Land’s End to Stonehenge being invaded my aliens. Alex says: “Those who volunteered produced some amazing artwork. Their imagination and creativity was staggering.”

Rachel adds: “We had to help out at times, but the project has taught things like perspective, colour and composition, and in doing that we have embedded Maths and communication skills.”

The Story

This initiative gave the young offenders an outlet for their creativity and a voice to communicate with the outside world. Having completed the project, the young artists are proud and protective of their work, according to Alex and Rachel, who entered a few of the artworks for the Koestler Awards.

The final act in this outpouring of creativity was to seal the boards in preparation for hanging them at the entrance to the establishment in a colourful, meaningful display for staff, visitors and offenders to appreciate.

I’m astounded by the amount of effort, love and dedication the young people have shown during their time on the project.

Novus Art Tutor Rachel Hanks

Related Content

View All
Portrait image of Peter Cox

News

Adult Provision / Youth Provision

Ministry of Justice response to Prison White Paper consultation signals positive intent for prison education

Microphone in dimly lit room

News

Youth Provision

Music Project at HMYOI Wetherby

Get in touch

Novus
Whitworth House
Ashton Old Road
Openshaw
Manchester
M11 2WH

Enquiries:

enquiries@novus.ac.uk
03333 222 888

Careers:

HRSharedServices@ltegroup.co.uk
0161 674 1363

Quick links

  • About Us
  • Adult Provision
  • Youth Provision
  • Novus Works
  • Careers
  • News & Case Studies
  • Contact Us
  • Colleague HUB

Social media

Twitter Linkedin Facebook Instagram

Novus is a trading name of
LTE Group.

Copyright © LTE Group 2022

SEARCH:

  • Sitemap Terms of use Group Policies Accessibility Data Protection FOI