Supporting Neurodiverse Learners at HMP Rye Hill

Creating Inclusive Education That Helps Everyone Thrive

Every learner deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of how they learn. At HMP Rye Hill, Novus is committed to creating an inclusive learning environment where neurodiverse learners receive the support they need to develop skills, build confidence and achieve meaningful educational outcomes.

Through the dedicated Neurodiversity Hub, learners can access tailored support that removes barriers to education and creates opportunities for personal growth, rehabilitation and progression.

Understanding neurodiversity in prisons

Neurodiversity recognises that people experience and process the world in different ways. It includes conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and other cognitive differences. Rather than viewing these as deficits, neurodiversity acknowledges that individuals have different strengths, learning styles and support needs.

Research consistently suggests that neurodivergent conditions are significantly more common within prison populations than in the wider community. Many individuals enter custody having experienced disrupted education, undiagnosed learning differences or limited access to appropriate support. Without targeted interventions, these barriers can continue to affect engagement with education, employability and rehabilitation.

Providing specialist support enables learners to overcome these challenges, gain qualifications, improve literacy and numeracy, develop confidence and prepare for successful resettlement.

A dedicated Neurodiversity Hub at HMP Rye Hill

Located within the Activities Building, the Neurodiversity Hub has been developed specifically for neurodivergent residents across HMP Rye Hill. The purpose-built space provides a calm, welcoming environment where learners can engage in purposeful education that meets their individual needs.

Designed using a calming colour palette, soft lighting and sensory resources, the hub helps reduce distractions and creates an environment where learners feel comfortable and able to focus. The facility is staffed by the onsite Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) alongside the Novus Learning Support Worker (LSW) team, ensuring learners receive specialist guidance throughout their educational journey.

The hub operates on a structured timetable, allowing a wide range of learners to access personalised support while ensuring every session delivers meaningful outcomes.

Creating opportunities through tailored learning

The Neurodiversity Hub supports a variety of educational activities that enable learners to progress in ways that suit them best.

Supporting literacy through the Shannon Trust

Each week, the hub provides a quiet, distraction-free environment for Shannon Trust mentors and learners. Away from the busy prison wings, participants can develop their reading skills with greater confidence in a supportive setting that encourages progress at their own pace.

Outreach education for learners facing barriers

For some learners, attending a traditional classroom can present significant challenges. Through outreach education, Novus offers one-to-one, wing-based provision for individuals with a range of barriers to classroom learning.

Allocated sessions within the Neurodiversity Hub provide these learners with the opportunity to step outside the familiarity of their residential wings and continue their education in a safe, calm and supportive environment, helping them build confidence while developing new skills.

Accessible examination arrangements

The hub also provides an appropriate space for learners who require alternative examination arrangements. By offering a quiet environment with minimal distractions, neurodiverse learners can complete assessments under conditions that better reflect their abilities and support fair access to qualifications.

Flexible IT learning

Digital skills are increasingly important for employment and everyday life. The Neurodiversity Hub enables learners who may struggle in larger classroom settings to undertake IT courses in a more suitable environment.

This personalised approach currently supports an Open University student with sensory needs, enabling them to continue progressing with higher education while studying in a space that accommodates their individual learning requirements.

Targeted revision support

For learners preparing to re-sit reading or writing components of their qualifications, the hub provides focused support through small revision groups held on Monday mornings.

These targeted sessions offer additional practice, individual guidance and the opportunity to strengthen core skills in an environment designed to maximise concentration and confidence.

Listening to learners to improve support

An important part of the hub's success is ensuring learners have a voice in shaping their educational experience.

Regular neurodiverse learner forums provide opportunities for participants to share feedback about the support they receive, helping teaching staff continually improve their practice and respond to learners' changing needs. These sessions also celebrate achievements, recognise good practice and reinforce positive educational outcomes across the prison community.

Building confidence through inclusive education

Feedback from learners who use the Neurodiversity Hub has been overwhelmingly positive. The calm environment, personalised support and flexible approach enable learners to engage with education in ways that work for them, often overcoming barriers that previously prevented participation.

At Novus, we believe inclusive education is fundamental to successful rehabilitation. By recognising individual strengths, adapting teaching approaches and providing specialist support, we help neurodiverse learners build confidence, gain qualifications and develop the skills needed for life beyond custody.

The Neurodiversity Hub at HMP Rye Hill demonstrates how thoughtful learning environments and dedicated support can transform educational experiences, ensuring every learner has the opportunity to achieve their potential.

For more information on how we support learners, visit our news section.