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.
NEBOSH Certificate in Health and Safety Management for Construction
This course is designed for supervisors and managers within the construction industry and provides underpinning knowledge of managing health and safety in construction activities. Learn about general health and safety issues within a construction context, as well as the specific construction issues that make the industry amongst the most dangerous in which to work.
This course covers the following subjects:
- The foundations of construction health and safety management
- Improving health and safety culture and assessing risk
- Managing change and procedures
- Excavation
- Demolition
- Mobile plant and vehicles
- Working at height
- Musculoskeletal health and load handling
- Work equipment
- Electricity
- Fire
- Chemical and biological agents
- Physical and psychological health
Entry requirements: Level 2 English, plus a Level 2 NEBOSH or IOSH qualification and a Level 3 or above qualification
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Activities are given for each element with solutions in the workbook for self-marking. Mock exam supplied for practice and subsequent marking by tutor.
Exams: One open book exam
Prison support requirements: Support to submit coursework; organize and invigilate exams.
Tutor support: Yes
Find Out More: From the NEBOSH website here.
NEBOSH HSE Award in Managing Risks and Risk Assessment
This is an introductory course aimed at anyone involved in managing workplace health and safety risks including those who undertake risk assessments. You will develop straightforward, practical health and safety risk management skills so you can go beyond risk assessment, to effectively control the health and safety risks caused by hazards in your workplace. This is the perfect platform for taking further NEBOSH courses at a higher level.
The course consists of 3 elements:
Element 1: Why manage health and safety risks
- An introduction to health and safety and basic definitions
- An introduction to the steps in managing risk
- Health and safety competency
Element 2: Managing risk
- Steps needed to manage risk
- What ensures a risk assessment is suitable and sufficient
- Distinction between prevention and mitigation
Element 3: Sources of information and the application of HSE’s risk management tools
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: A written risk assessment is completed at the end of the course. You will be asked to consider a realistic workplace scenario and complete a risk assessment to identify how you would manage and prioritise the risks present. This assessment needs to be submitted to RRC International for external examination.
Exams: No
Prison Support Requirements: Facilitate assessment
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Any NEBOSH Level 3 Certificate
Find Out More:
NEBOSH National Certificate in Environmental Management
This is a useful qualification for those interested in developing and implementing effective environmental management systems within an organisation. The course focuses on the general principles of the management of environmental and pollution control, and explores the main elements of UK and EC legislation for environmental protection. You will learn about Environmental Management Systems, sources and use of energy and energy efficiency, control of pollution, and planning for and dealing with environmental emergencies.
The course consists of two units:
- EC1: Management and control of environmental hazards
- EC2: Environmental practical application
These units cover the following subjects:
- Environmental Management Systems and aspect identification
- Sources and use of energy and energy efficiency
- Control of pollution
- Planning for and dealing with environmental emergencies.
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English, plus a Level 2 NEBOSH or IOSH qualification.
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: None but coursework is recommended to send to RRC International for feedback before exams.
Exams: One theoretical (EC1) and one practical invigilated exam (EC2).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of coursework. Organise and invigilate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Any of the other Level 3 NEBOSH Certificates
Find Out More: From NEBOSH’s website here.
NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety
This course is intended for managers, supervisors and staff from all types of organisations who need a broad understanding of health and safety issues. It is also suitable as a first step for working in health and safety, as it provides both a valuable overview and a sound basis for further study. You will cover subjects such as health and safety management systems, managing risk, physical and psychological health, chemical and biological agents, general workplace issues and equipment, as well as fire and electrical safety.
The course has two units (NG1 and NG2), that cover the following subjects:
1. Why we should manage workplace health and safety
2. How health and safety management systems work and what they look like
3. Managing risk – understanding people and processes
4. Health and safety monitoring and measuring
5. Physical and psychological health
6. Musculoskeletal health
7. Chemical and biological agents
8. General workplace issues
9. Work equipment
10. Fire
11. Electricity
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English, plus a Level 2 NEBOSH or IOSH qualification
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: None, but coursework is recommended to send to RRC International for feedback before exams.
Exams: One two-hour open book exam testing elements 1-4 (NG1). There is also one practical risk assessment, which covers elements 5-11 (NG2).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and invigilate exam and assessments.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Level 6 National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety
Find Out More:
Nutrition and Health
This is the ideal course if you are interested in deepening your knowledge and understanding of nutrition and learning how to develop and practice healthy eating habits. You will study the principles of healthy eating, consider the nutritional needs of a variety of individuals, and find out how to use food and nutrition information to plan a healthy diet.
The course comprises of three units:
- Exploring the principles of healthy eating
- Considering the nutritional needs of a variety of individuals
- Using food and nutritional information to plan a healthy diet
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Three written assignments
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Nutrition for Physical Activity Level 3 (HFE)
Find Out More: via NCC here
Nutrition to Support Physical Activity
This course helps you develop your understanding of healthy eating and key nutritional principles to support your clients’ goals. It also provides you with skills to analyse your clients’ nutritional intake so you can offer advice and develop a fitness programme. You’ll gain knowledge essential for any fitness professional, including on the digestive system, healthy eating guidelines and weight management, and design your own nutrition programme.
The course consists of the following units:
1. Digestive system
2. Carbohydrates, fats, proteins & water
3. Healthy eating guidelines
4. Weight management
5. Designing a nutrition programme
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: A worksheet and a case study
Exams: One multiple choice exam (30 minutes)
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organise and invigilate exam
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Another of HFE’s Level 3 theory courses.
Find out more: You can find more from HFE’s website here
OFQUAL Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Certificate
This course is ideal if you wish to gain a professional qualification in teaching English as a foreign language – whether you are new to the profession or already have some experience. It may also be useful if you work as a mentor with learners for whom English is a second language. The course focuses on lesson planning and practical teaching skills and covers many aspects of teaching English – including grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and reading.
The course consists of the following eleven units:
1.Principles of Teaching English as a Foreign Language
2.Understanding English Grammar
3.Teaching English Grammar
4.Teaching English Vocabulary
5.Teaching Productive Skills: Speaking and Writing
6.Teaching Receptive Skills: Listening and Reading
7.Materials and Aids for Teaching English
8.Teaching Pronunciation of English
9.Lesson Planning for Teaching English as a Foreign Language
10.Teaching English as a Foreign Language to Young Learners
11.Using Resources Effectively When Teaching English as a Foreign Language
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English, plus any relevant Level 3 qualification (e.g. English Language A-Level)
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Eleven written assignments
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Education and Training Award Level 3 (NEC), or Open University Access Module YO32: People, Work and Society
Find Out More: From the LTTC here
Peer Mentoring Certificate
Developed by PET and co-written by prison peer mentors, this course will be useful for mentors in all roles – including healthcare, workshops and education. You will focus on developing transferable mentoring skills that will be valuable after release, particularly for those looking to work or volunteer in a social care setting. The course explores the concept and theory of mentoring, including communication, listening, boundaries and confidentiality, and reflection.
The course consists of 9 units:
- Mentoring – so what is it?
- Let’s Talk Communication
- More Personal Baggage Than a Coach Tour
- Listening – Er, What?
- Mentoring – So What’s It Good For?
- ‘Nuff Said! – Boundaries and Confidentiality
- Mentoring – Stages and Barriers, and Stages of a Mentoring Relationship
- Mirror, Mirror – Time for Reflection
- Information
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Fifteen written assignments
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments
Tutor Support: None
What’s Next? Understanding Mental Health Care Level 3 (NCC)
Find Out More: The course was featured in a recent issue of Inside Time – read here.
PET Short Course – Business, Accounting and Bookkeeping
If you are thinking about making a start with distance learning and looking for useful tips to help you on the way, PET's short courses are a great place to start. With our short courses, there’s no pressure: you won’t need to submit assignments or sit an exam. Instead it’s an opportunity for you get a taste of distance learning, working at your own pace. By giving you the chance to experience studying with PET, you can prepare to embark on a full distance learning course and be confident you’ll hit the ground running.
This course aims to give you a taste of what it is like to study courses related to business, accounting and bookkeeping at Level 2 and above. Courses in these three areas are very popular amongst prisoner learners. Increased knowledge of cashflow, planning and marketing can be of great benefit in day to day life.
This is a FREE course which is printable via the Prison Staff Log-in page of our website. There is no need to apply for funding to PET.
The course contains five units:
- Time Management
- Reading and Noting
- Academic Writing: Clear Communication
- Essays and Exams
- Making the Most of Distance Learning
Entry Requirements: Level 1 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based (available for download)
Assignments: None – instead, the course contains a series of self-assessed exercises. (Answer sheets are also included).
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Print the course and distribute to learner.
Tutor Support: No
What’s Next? Once you have achieved Level 2 English and Maths, you can apply for any PET course related to business, accounting or book-keeping
Find Out More: On the Prison Staff log-in page of our website.
PET Short Course – Construction, Trades, Health and Safety
If you are thinking about making a start with distance learning and looking for useful tips to help you on the way, PET's short courses are a great place to start. With our short courses, there’s no pressure: you won’t need to submit assignments or sit an exam. Instead it’s an opportunity for you get a taste of distance learning, working at your own pace. By giving you the chance to experience studying with PET, you can prepare to embark on a full distance learning course and be confident you’ll hit the ground running.
This course aims to give you a taste of what it is like to study courses related to construction, or health and safety at Level 2 and above. Courses in these three areas are very popular amongst prisoner learners, and can increase employment prospects in the construction industry upon release.
This is a FREE course which is printable via the Prison Staff Log-in page of our website. There is no need to apply for funding to PET.
The course contains five units:
- Time Management
- Reading and Noting
- Academic Writing: Clear Communication
- Essays and Exams
- Making the Most of Distance Learning
Entry Requirements: Level 1 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based (available for download)
Assignments: None – instead, the course contains a series of self-assessed exercises. (Answer sheets are also included).
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Print the course and distribute to learner.
Tutor Support: No
What’s Next? Once you have achieved Level 2 English, you can apply for one of PET’s Level 2 construction and health and safety courses.
Find Out More: On the Prison Staff log-in page of our website.