Prisoners’ Education Trust – Course Prospectus 2024-2025
Download PET's Course Prospectus - our comprehensive guide to the distance learning courses we offer, with information on how to apply and how to prepare to study.
PET offers over 130 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.
CMI Level 5 in Management and Leadership
This qualification, specifically adapted by NEC, is aimed at both practicing and aspiring managers and leaders who are accountable to senior managers or business owners. The course will teach learners how to be more effective at managing individuals and teams and to deliver aims and objectives in line with an organization’s strategy. Learners will focus on the principles of managing, and approaches for supporting, motivating and inspiring both teams and individuals to exceed expectations.
The course consists of two core units:
- Unit 501: Principles of Management in an Organizational Context
This unit includes: Evaluating the impact of an organization’s structure and governance, Exploring theoretical models, management and leadership styles, and Approaches designed to promote a culture of mutual trust and respect
- Unit 502: Developing, Managing and Leading Individuals and Teams to Achieve Success
This unit includes: Theoretical and practical approaches to developing, leading and managing teams, Techniques to assess current and future team capabilities, and the role of recruitment, selection and staff development
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English, plus a Level 3 Management qualification
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Two practice assignments and two CMI formal assignments
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments
Tutor Support: Yes
Find Out More: From NEC here
Combined Science IGCSE
On this course, you’ll explore the basic principles and applications of biology, chemistry and physics. You’ll learn key scientific concepts, as well as their application in the real world, including the impact on technology and the environment.
The course consists of the following lessons:
- Physics (Motion, Matter, Energy)
- Chemistry (Atoms, Molecules, Bonds)
- Biology (Cells, Nutrients and Nutrition)
- Physics 2 ( Waves, Light, Electromagnetic Spectrum)
- Chemistry 2 (Electricity, Acids, Reactivity, Ions and Gases)
- Biology 2 (Transport, circulation, respiration, co-ordination)
- Physics 3 (Sound, electricity, circuits)
- Chemistry 3 (Metals, reactions, fuels)
- Biology 3 (Reproduction, ecosystems)
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Ten written assignments (these do not count towards the final grade).
Exams: Three exams (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Paper 1 – 45 minutes (30% of marks)
Paper 2 or 3 – 1 hour 15 mins (50% of marks)
Paper 6 – 1 hour (20% of marks)
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and facilitate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Open University Access Module YO33: Science, Technology and Maths
Find Out More: via NEC’s website here
Creative Writing Part 1
This course gives you the skills to improve your writing ability and boost your confidence. You will cover the basics of writing for all genres and discover the power of using creative writing to improve your mental health and sense of wellbeing.
The course covers the following subjects:
Unit 1 Introduction to Writing
- Topic 1 Finding ideas
- Topic 2 Character creation
- Topic 3 Plot and conflict
- Topic 4 Setting and world-building
- Topic 5 Writing is editing
Unit 2 Writing for Wellbeing
- Topic 1 Warming up – Flex your writing muscle
- Topic 2 Writing from objects
- Topic 3 Writing from poetry
- Topic 4 Writing from places
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Materials: Paper
Assignments: 8 to 9 self-assessed progress checks
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Facilitate tutor support
Tutor Support: Yes
Creative Writing Part 2A – Writing Novels and Writing Short Stories
This course is a follow-up to Part 1, and it focuses on the key skills needed to write stories. You will explore how to structure a short story and how to structure a novel, including beginnings and endings. You will practise different ways of approaching conflict and character, and ultimately hone your narrative-writing craft.
Unit 1 Writing Short Stories
- Topic 1 Planning and structure
- Topic 2 Show and tell
- Topic 3 Subtext and genre
- Topic 4 Bringing everything together
Unit 2 Writing Novels
- Topic 1 Planning, structure, and theme
- Topic 2 Character development
- Topic 3 Conflict, conflict, conflict
PET entry requirements: Level 2 English
Format of course material: Paper-based
Assignments: Seven Progress Checks and Two assignments
Exam: No
Prison support requirements: Support assessment submission and contact supplier for tutor support
Tutor support: Tutors give support by providing feedback answering queries.
Creative Writing Part 2B – Writing for a Living and Writing Non-Fiction
This course is a follow-up to Part 1, and it provides you with the introductory guidance you need to start turning your creativity into cash, whether through traditional or non-traditional publishing paths. Non-Fiction gets you practising different types of non-fiction writing, including reviews, articles, travel writing and biography.
Unit 1 Writing Short Stories
- Topic 1 Planning and structure
- Topic 2 Show and tell
- Topic 3 Subtext and genre
- Topic 4 Bringing everything together
Unit 2 Writing Novels
- Topic 1 Planning, structure, and theme
- Topic 2 Character development
- Topic 3 Conflict, conflict, conflict
PET entry requirements: Level 2 English
Format of course material: Paper-based
Assignments Seven Progress: Checks and Two assignments
Exam: No
Prison support requirements: Support assessment submission and contact supplier for tutor support
Tutor support: Tutors give support by providing feedback answering queries.
Creative Writing Part 2C – Writing Poetry and Writing for Younger Readers
This course is a follow-up to Part 1, and it explores writing poetry and writing for younger readers. In both units, you will practise how to write in a vivid, exciting, and immediate way by considering your use of imagery, words, and rhythm. You will study poetic forms, genre, and romance among many other things!
Unit 1 Writing Poetry
- Topic 1 What is poetry?
- Topic 2 Miniature observations
- Topic 3 Rhythm, rhyming and contemporary poetry
Unit 2 Writing for Younger Readers
- Topic 1 Exploring the market
- Topic 2 Writing YA (Young Adult)
- Topic 3 Genre
PET entry requirements: Level 2 English
Format of course material: Paper-based
Assignments: Seven Progress Checks and Two assignments
Exam: No
Prison support requirements: Support assessment submission and contact supplier for tutor support
Tutor support: Tutors give support by providing feedback answering queries.
Creative Writing Part 2D – Writing Autobiography and Playwriting and Screenwriting
This course is a follow-up to Part 1. Writing Autobiography puts you at centre stage, focusing on how you can use diaries, journals, letters and more to tell your story. Playwriting and screenwriting give you an introduction to writing scripts, concentrating on dialogue, acts and plots, and the unique considerations of writing for stage and screen.
Unit 1 Writing About Your Life
- Topic 1 What’s important? Finding ideas and theme
- Topic 2 Diaries and journaling
- Topic 3 Letter writing
Unit 2 Playwriting and Screenwriting
- Topic 1 Digging into dialogue and monologues
- Topic 2 Setting the stage (or screen)
- Topic 3 Acts and plots
PET entry requirements: Level 2 English
Format of course material: Paper-based
Assignments: Seven Progress Checks and Two assignments
Exam: No
Prison support requirements: Support assessment submission and contact supplier for tutor support
Tutor support: Tutors give support by providing feedback answering queries.
Deaf Awareness and Sign Language
This course will help you to develop a better understanding of the challenges that deafness could bring and how you might be able to help. The course starts with an introduction to deafness and the problems deaf people encounter, and includes a breakdown of different hearing conditions, including tinnitus and deafblindness. The course also features information on assistive technology and the American, British, and Spanish Sign Languages, as well as other useful tools for communication.
The course consists of 4 lessons:
Lesson 1
Deafness and Personal Hearing Aids
Reactions to Deafness
Problems that Deaf People Cope With
What is a Hearing Aid?
Disadvantages of a Hearing Aid
Lesson 2
Technology / How to Help a Hearing Aid User
Cochlear Implants
Expectations and Limitations
Developments
How to Help a Hearing Aid User
Lesson 3
Conditions / Communication Methods
Tinnitus
Deafblindness
Silent Communication
Spoken Communication
The History of Sign Language
British Sign Language (BSL)
Lesson 4
Sign Language Alphabets / Sense
American Sign Language
The Alphabet
Spanish Sign Language Alphabet
The Deafblind Manual Alphabet
Block Alphabet
‘Sense’ and Government Guidance on Deafblind Services
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Four self-assessed questions
Exams: One optional exam (funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees)
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Open University Access Module, People, Work and Society (YO32)
Find Out More: Directly from BSY here
Drug and Alcohol Counselling
Drug and alcohol misuse is a serious and widespread problem, affecting not just those with substance abuse problems, but the people around them and society as a whole. Drug and alcohol counsellors work with people who are struggling with addiction, helping them to overcome their problems and lead healthier, more productive lives. This course will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to become a successful substance misuse counsellor.
1. Introduction to Addictions
2. Addictive Substances
3. Models and Perspectives Surrounding Substance Misuse
4. Classification of Substances
5. Treatment and Preventions
6. Stages of Change
7. Navigating Recovery
8. Reflexivity and Diversity
PET entry requirements: Level 2 English
Format of course material: Paper-based
Assignments: Eight assignments
Exam: No
Prison support requirements: Support assessment submission and contact supplier for tutor support
Tutor support: Tutors give support by providing feedback answering queries.
E-Commerce – How to Build a Successful Online Business
Written by someone with lived experience of prison, and also of running his own successful online business, this course equips you with the knowledge needed to succeed. Whether you’re looking to supplement an income or to sell items around the world, this course is for you. You will cover all aspects of selling products on eBay – one of the world’s largest platforms – and other similar online marketplaces and learn how to manage and grow your own business.
The course covers the following subjects:
- An introduction to e-commerce
- An introduction to reselling
- Products sourcing and selling
- Search engine optimisation and algorithms
- Let’s master eBay!
- Starting your own enterprise
- Accounting basics
- Implications of running your own online business
- Risks in setting up your own business
- Becoming a successful entrepreneur
- Developing your skills and knowledge
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Materials: Paper
Assignments: 8 assignments
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Facilitate tutor support
Tutor Support: Yes