Providing reading support for learners at HMP Hindley

Being able to read is a crucial functional skill that everyone has the right to learn, without it, prisoners have a limited number of opportunities available to them. At Novus, we place a particular importance on our reading provision, encouraging learners of all abilities to learn how to read. 

Through direct support from tutors, reading initiatives and modern reading facilities, we aim to support all learners on their learning journey, to give them the best possible chance at success.

Since last year, HMP Hindley have been working hard to support learners in reading as well as their career workshops and also address the issues of learner's lack of confidence in reading to enable them to continue with their education journey. The reading tutor, Jo Williams has been working extremely hard to support more learners with their reading and spelling skills with excellent results! 

Supporting learners in career and reading workshops

A learner taking part in the recycling workshop, was referred to HMP Hindley's reading specialist, Jo Williams by one of the instructors in the workshop. The instructor noticed that the learner was having difficulties reading and completing paperwork.

The instructor saw that the learner had a good attitude to work and wanted him to benefit from developing work-related skills on the recycling programme. However, they also needed to ensure that the learner could keep up with the course files and read the information required to participate in the workshop. 

Reading Programme

After being referred to the reading specialist, the learner was screened and scored 40 for reading and 46 for spelling, indicating that he needed support level 3, a one-to-one phonics approach, for both. 

From conversations with the learner, it was evident that he had had inconsistent education as a child and had moved around a range of different schools due to behavioural problems and experiences of anxiety and depression as an adult. 

The reading tutor worked with him weekly, on a one-to-one basis, using the 'That Reading Thing' programme combined with additional reading texts for comprehension development, and taking account of support strategies recommended by a previously conducted in-depth LDD screener.

During their time on the recycling workshop, the learner had been struggling with reading and completing their paperwork so, the reading tutor also supported with this, in conjunction with the reading programme. 

Positive Learner Outcome

Whilst on the reading programme, the learner made great progress. A second reading screener was conducted in August, showing an increase in the learners reading and spelling skills. Their reading score increased to 87 and their spelling score increased to 55 moving them up to support level 2 for both. The scores indicate that the learner had acquired the skills needed to join an entry level English class, which he would have joined if he hadn't been released in September 2023. 

The learner's file shows a full picture of his reading development, including knowledge of specific reading skills through target tracking and annotated tasks e.g. working on 'th' sounds, indentifying syllables, and reading multisyllabic words and increased confidence levels and engagement with reading through his own reflections and the tutor's observations. 

Whilst in prison, the learner was able to continue his preferred prison activity by continuing with the recyling workshop as well as being given support in his reading and writing skills. The learner was able to practise skills that he could apply in a workplace, as well as improve his reading ability, showing him that both skills are crucial to be successful in life and employment. 

The learner benefitted greatly from the reading programme and the one-to-one support from the reading specialist. So much so, that the learner explained to his tutor that he was going to continue developing his reading skills on release, upon which the tutor passed on details to his probation officer for support with this. 

Positive comments from the reading tutor regarding the learner's journey include:

I am so proud of how far the learner has come. I will pass on our learning journey to his probation officer to let her know how to help him when he is released.

Supporting learners confidence and abilities in reading

A learner was identified by Hindley's specialist reading tutor, Jo Williams through the prison's established reading screener process, having been assessed at being below entry level 2 for English at his education induction.

The learner scored 84.5 for reading and 52 for spelling which enabled the learner to join an entry level class. However, the learner did not have the confidence to participate in a classroom setting so, the reading specialist tutor agreed to work with him to address his gaps in phonics and work on his confidence with reading. 

Reading Programme

After having a conversation with the learner, it became evident that he was more or less self-taught with reading and needed support at school. He had worked with a Shannon Trust mentor in the past, but wanted to increase his reading skills further so he could learn more about his interests in Buddhism and astronomy. 

The reading tutor worked with the learner on a weekly, one-to-one basis using the 'That Reading Thing' programme combined with additional reading texts to develop comprehension. The tutor also incorporated support strategies recommended by a previously conducted in-depth LDD screener. 

Positive learner outcome

The learner made great progress on the programme with both his reading and spelling. A second reading screener was conducted in September, showing an increase in scores, 97 for reading and 57 for spelling moving up to support level 1 for reading. The score indicated that the learner acquired the skills needed to be an independent reader.

His file shows a full picture of his reading development including being able to 'hear' sounds in words more clearly, and being able to practice breaking words into syllables independently until this became his established practice. He had the opportunity to read texts about autism, so that he could understand his daughter better and start to explore poetry to read for pleasure. He was also able to start reflecting effectively on his learning, for example, identifying that he needed more practice on words with 'y' endings. 

The tutor noted the progress that was made by the learner both in reading skills and his confidence:

He is becoming more fluent and didn't need support with reading in Level 1

The learner has since been transferred to the Category D prison, HMP Thorn Cross but thanked staff at HMP Hindley for their support and commented that he will pursue further education classes at Thorn Cross.

Since being transferred, the learner is now taking part in the entry level English class at HMP Thorn Cross, having gained the confidence to read more and gain literacy skills in a group setting. The learner's new teacher has commented that he is one of her most engaged learners, after receiving excellent foundation support through the 'That Reading Thing' programme and from his reading specialist tutor at HMP Hindley.

The reading provision at HMP Hindley has helped these two learners gain valuable skills in reading and literacy, and has also given them the confidence to take part in reading and further education classes. 

To learn more about our reading provision, head over to the news section on our website.