Prisoners’ Education Trust – Course Prospectus 2022-2023
Download PET’s Course Prospectus - exploring all the subject areas we offer and helping people in prison choose from over 125 distance learning courses.
PET offers over 125 different distance learning courses in every prison in England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
We offer courses in a range of sectors – from health and social care to transport and logistics – as well as GCSEs, A-levels and Open University Access modules. Here you’ll find information about every course we offer.
Education and Training Award
This course replaces the Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTTLS) qualification, and is the first step towards working in post-16 or adult level teaching or training. It is also useful if part of your role is to train others. You will find out how to plan, deliver and assess effective learning, and discover the roles, responsibilities and relationships involved in teaching.
The course consists of four sections:
- Roles, Responsibilities, and Relationships
- Assessment in Education and Training
- Inclusive Teaching and Learning
- Planning and preparation
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Four tutor marked assignments
Exams: Yes – the “Microteach Element”. This involves a practical fifteen minute teaching session that will need to be recorded. Due to security issues, this is most often completed by learners upon release. (PET funding does not cover this element).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments, plus microteach element if possible. An additional enrolment form is also required by NEC before the learner can start on the course.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? A course in the subject you wish to teach (e.g. a vocational course like fitness). PET also offer TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) at Level 5.
Find Out More: From NEC here
English Language A-Level Part 1
This course deepens your knowledge of linguistic analysis and explores language use in a variety of situations and contexts. From political speeches and song lyrics, to cartoon strips and food labelling, the course will introduce you to a rich set of resources and styles of writing. You’ll learn about the terminology and grammar that underpins the English language, building your understanding of how language works in the way it does.
PET offers A-levels in two parts. Upon completing Part 1, you can choose either to take your AS exam (a qualification marking the first year of a full A-level) or continue on to Part 2 to build up to a full A-level.
The course consists of the following units:
1. Methods of language analysis
2. Spoken English
3. Language and Power
4. Identity and non-standard English
5. Language and Gender
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Six written assignments. These do not contribute toward the final grade.
Exams: Two – each are 1 hour 30 minutes, and contribute 50% of the overall grade. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Support submission and completion of assignments. Organize and invigilate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? English Language A-Level Part 2
Find Out More: From NEC here
English Language A-Level Part 2
This course deepens your knowledge of linguistic analysis and explores language use in a variety of situations and contexts. From political speeches and song lyrics, to cartoon strips and food labelling, the course will introduce you to a rich set of resources and styles of writing. You’ll learn about the terminology and grammar that underpins the English language, building your understanding of how language works in the way it does.
The course contains five lessons that follow on from Part 1:
6. Original Writing (Non-Exam Assessment)
7. Early Child Language Acquisition
8. Reading and Writing
9. Language Change and Diversity
10. The language Investigation (Non Exam Assessment)
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English, plus English Language A-Level Part 1
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Five written assignments. These do not contribute towards the final grade.
Exams: Two – each are 2 hours 30 minutes, and contribute 40% of the marks. The Non-Exam Assessment makes up the remaining 20%. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and invigilate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Open University Access Module Y031 – Arts and Languages
Find Out More: From NEC here
English Language GCSE
This qualification can help with future job roles or further educational courses. You will learn how to develop your reading and writing, and improve your communication skills to express your ideas more effectively.
The course consists of nine units:
- Creative Reading (1)
- Creative Reading (2)
- Creative Writing (1)
- Creative Writing (2)
- Writer’s Viewpoints and Perspectives (1)
- Writer’s Viewpoints and Perspectives (2)
- Writer’s Viewpoints and Perspectives (3)
- Preparing for the Exam (1)
- Preparing for the Exam (2)
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Ten written assignments. These do not count towards the final grade.
Exams: Two – both are 1 hour 45 minutes. There is also an optional non-exam assessment to demonstrate your skills in spoken language. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and facilitate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? A-Level English Language
Find Out More: From NEC directly here
English Literature A-Level Part 1
This qualification will help you to develop an enjoyment and love of the written word. By reading widely, and critically, across centuries, gender and genre, you will develop as an independent reader and critic. Through analysing complex literary issues using theories and critical ideas, you can develop skills useful for higher education and highly-valued in a wide variety of job roles.
You will not have the option to take the AS exam at the end of Part 1 of this course. After completing Part 1, you should apply for Part 2. Having completed both parts, you can then take the full A-Level exams which will cover everything learned in Part 1 and 2.
The course consists of the following units:
1.Love through the ages: The Great Gatsby
2. Love through the ages: pre-1900 poetry
3. Love through the ages: Othello
4. Love through the ages: unseen poetry
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Five written assignments. These do not contribute toward the final grade.
Exams: None – go straight to Part 2
Prison Support Requirements: Support submission and completion of assignments. Organize and invigilate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? English A-Level Part 2
Find Out More: From NEC here
English Literature A-Level Part 2
This qualification will help you to develop an enjoyment and love of the written word. By reading widely, and critically, across centuries, gender and genre, you will develop as an independent reader and critic. Through analysing complex literary issues using theories and critical ideas, you can develop skills useful for higher education and highly-valued in a wide variety of job roles.
The course contains six units that follow on from Part 1:
5. Non-Exam Assessment
6. Modern Times: Spies
7. Modern Times: All My Sons
8. Modern Times: Skirrid Hill
9. Modern Times: Unseen Prose
10. Revision
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English, plus English Literature A-Level Part 1
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Six written assignments. These do not contribute towards the final grade.
Exams: Two (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
One three hour exam (40% of marks)
One 2 hour 30 minute exam (40% of marks)
Non-Exam Assessment – coursework task (20% of marks)
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and invigilate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Open University Access Module Y031 Arts and Languages
Find Out More: From NEC here
English Literature GCSE
This course explores a variety of classic literary works, and will improve your reading, communication and analytical skills to deepen your experience of literature for life.
The course consists of the following units:
Section 1: Introductory Prose Skills
Section 2: Frankenstein
Section 3: Introductory Poetry Skills
Section 4: Anthology Poems, Part 1
Section 5: Introduction to Drama
Section 6: Twelfth Night
Section 7: Anthology Poems, Part 2
Section 8: An Inspector Calls
Section 9: Unseen Poetry
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Nine written assignments. These do not contribute toward the final grade.
Exams: 2 exams – both are 1 hour 45 minutes, and are 50% of the total grade. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and invigilate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? English Literature A-Level
Find Out More: From NEC here
Exercise for Older Adults
This course explores how fitness professionals can make a real difference to clients' lives by understanding the ageing process and prescribing safe and effective exercise. You will learn about bodily changes for people aged 65 and over (including muscular, skeletal, nervous and cardiorespiratory changes) and find out recommendations for physical activity. Using this knowledge, you will analyse the effects changes have on the body and plan an exercise session for older adults. You will also learn how to adapt certain exercises for older clients.
The course covers the following topics:
- Chief Medical Officer recommendations for 65+ years of physical activity
- Understanding changes to the muscular, skeletal, nervous and cardio-respiratory systems
- Analysing the effects that changes to those systems have on the body
- How to plan an exercise session for older clients
- Safely adapting various exercises for older clients
Entry requirements: Level 2 English, plus a Level 2 fitness qualification
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: A worksheet, and a case study
Exams: One multiple choice exam
Prison support requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Facilitate and invigilate exam.
Tutor support: Yes
What’s next: HFE offer a range of similar Level 3 theory courses including Nutrition for Physical Activity.
Find out more: On HFE’s website here
Fisheries Management
People aspiring to work in the fishing industry – for example as a water bailiff, fisheries inspector, or in a similar position in commercial fisheries – would be well-advised to consider this course. It also provides a sound knowledge base for those interested in running their own fisheries. On this course you’ll find out about water quality, freshwater and fish biology, fisheries law and enforcement, monitoring and improvement, and angling and recreation.
The course consists of seven modules:
- Water Quality
- Freshwater and Fish Biology
- Fisheries Law
- Fish Culture and Husbandry
- Fisheries Maintenance, Monitoring and Improvements
- Angling and Recreation
- Fisheries Enforcement
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: None, but coursework can be sent to tutors for feedback and exam preparation.
Exams: Six open book exams, 1 hour 30 minutes each. Units 1-3 are compulsory, then learners can choose 3 out of 4 of the remaining units (4-7).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of coursework. Organise and invigilate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
Find Out More: From the IFM here
Foundation Journalism
Accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ), this course has been especially adapted for PET learners to help you develop your journalistic skills. You will complete units on the English language, news stories, recording information, feature writing and sports reporting.
There are six available units, that combine to create eleven credits:
- How to use the English language
- Using the English language
- How to tell a news story
- Recording information
- Feature writing
- Sports reporting
This course includes several additional unites that can be completed on ROTL or upon release in order to gain the full qualification.
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Written Coursework, Portfolio of Evidence, Practical Assignment (e.g. an article in prison newspaper or magazine)
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Ensuring students have access to media sources, such as newspapers and magazines.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? A-Level English Language (Part 1), or Open University Access Module YO33: Starting with Arts and Languages
Find Out More: From the NCTJ here