Prison
Education

Finishing the year on a high, learners from HMP The Verne starred in a fantastic “Festive Open Mic” event organised by Weston College Prison Education. The superb acts included poetry reading, original acoustic songs, cover bands, and a full choir. Members of the education team were appointed as impartial judges and were asked to pick their top 3 acts. Prizes …

The SLAM Poetry night at HMP Portland was held after a day of immersive and informative events centred around the celebration of Black History Month. Learners from across the prison were invited to perform poetry, spoken word, rap, lyrics or songs that they had created during their time at Portland. Our cookery class mentors made an amazing Afro-Caribbean themed meal …

What an Amazing day at HMP Channings Wood. A taster day delivered by the team from Western Counties Roofing Ltd spanning two roofing workshops. Twenty Learners attended , lots of engagement and 5 learners now have interviews lined up for potential jobs with Western Counties  upon release. Also supported today by Tatiana Fernandez of Countryside Partnerships. We are looking forward …

Weston College Prison Education at HMP Channings Wood are excited to confirm that as part of our growing relationship with Western Counties Roofing, one of our learners has secured employment to commence upon release. Last Friday Ian McHale of Western Counties Roofing Ltd came to interview to one of our construction course graduates, and all credit to the learner he blew Ian away!We …

Today Mr M was awarded the ‘Learner of the Month’ award here at HMP Exeter, here is a photo of Mr M receiving his certificate and goody bag from Mark Stoyle Curriculum Manager at HMP Exeter and Mr Andy Tanner Deputy Governor. “Mr M demonstrated a mature and disciplined approach to his learning and has been a great role model …

The Outsiders Project have begun their southwest wide tour of our prisons, this year their performance is entitled ‘Dad’ and is already making an impact upon our learners. They have already bought the house down at HMP Portland and HMP Guys Marsh, with performances at HMP Dartmoor and HMP Channings Wood taking place next week. Their drama performance takes place …

HMP Leyhill invited author Paul Zanon to talk to their leaners. Paul is a best-selling author and journalist, his specialist subject is boxing, and so it turned out, it was our learners too. Thirty learners listened to Paul speak for an hour and a half, a furious debate ensued about who is the greatest boxer of all time, and if …

A week from today on the 13th of July HMP Portland are hosting a ‘Construction Careers Fair’. With lots of brilliant employers attending, it promises to be a valuable day for our learners.

On Friday 30th June, Weston Education at HMP Channings Wood held a Resettlement event. In attendance were the following providers: •              Eat That Frog •              Learn Devon •              Transplant Mastertrain •              Whistl •              Gilpins Demolition •              Amey Briggs •              SWISCO •              Graham engineering & construction •              Western Counties Roofing •              Landworks •              DWP – Job centre 72 learners attended the …

What better way to mark ‘Men’s Health Week’ than HMP Guys Marsh hosting Nick Elston for a number of talks to our learners. Nick is a mental health motivational speaker, using public speaking as his tool for change. The day at Guys Marsh saw two very engaged groups, with lots of great questions from our learners who were genuinely keen …

Last week HMP Portland hosted their ‘A Day In The Life’ Art Exhibition. Our learners, Officers and Weston College staff all submitted some amazing pieces. From poems to soap sculptures, there was some real talent on display. This is a fantastic annual event, this year saw our music teacher running a guitar masterclass for anyone who attended. Roll on next …

Today we welcomed the winners of our ‘Adaptive Teaching Awards’ to Knightstone Campus in Weston-Super-Mare! Over the past few months one of our amazing quality managers Natalie Betts, has been running an adaptive teaching competition for our staff. Winners came from prisons all over the southwest, taking a day out from their usual duties to be recognised for their achievement and …

The Koestler Arts award submissions for HMP Channings Wood are off to London! With 91 visual art, 29 creative writing and 26 music recordings being submitted. A brilliant effort from our staff and learners! Below are examples of the visual art that has been entered!#art#music #creativewriting #prisoned

Just a snapshot of from the session Wallis Eates ran for our learners at HMP Exeter. Fantastic feedback from those who attended!

It’s day one of the festival of ‘Books, Ideas and Debate’ at HMP Exeter! An exciting programme for learners across the next 3 weeks!