Learning and Skills
At HMP Wolds we positively encourage offenders to study either on a full-time or part-time basis. The Learning and Skills Department aims to encourage, motivate and support all offenders by enabling them to take responsibility for their own learning and training whilst extending their personal development.
Offenders are offered the opportunity to improve basic Literacy, Numeracy and Information Technology skills, or take academic courses leading to certification up to degree level. They have access to learning resources held in the Learning and Skills Department, as well as the prison library, which, if necessary, can arrange the loan of books.
We have a strong team of full-time staff headed up by the Learning and Skills Manager. The Learning and Skills Department operates from Monday to Friday, with voluntary classes on a Friday afternoon.
Social and Life Skills
At HMP Wolds we offer offenders a Social and Life Skills Course. The aim of the course is to provide them with an opportunity to improve their level of skill, knowledge, understanding and self esteem. It also helps improve personal awareness. Topics include:
- Personal Development
- Healthy Living
- Improving Assertiveness and Decision Making
- Preparation for Work
- Budgeting and Money Management
- Drug Awareness
- Alcohol Awareness
- Citizenship
- Diversity
- Victim Awareness
- Stress Management
College Unit
The College Unit is a dedicated unit which houses HMP Wolds’ offenders who wish to study full time. The college unit has a number of additional resources, as well as a tutor who is based on the Unit. The emphasis is on self-motivation and learners are able to undertake a lot of private study as well as classroom based work.
Exams are taken at a level appropriate to each offender's ability. Individual learning is assessed at regular intervals.
Art, Craft and Design
Art, Craft and Design covers a variety of opportunities including Drawing and Painting, Ceramics, Garden Design, several craft activities and the chance to look at more theoretical aspects of Art such as Art history and studying the work of different artists.
Literacy and Numeracy
These two subjects are seen as the key to future employment opportunities and there is a major emphasis on learners achieving in both subjects. Qualifications are offered at Entry up to Level 3.
Information Technology
A range of options is available to learners in IT including qualifications such as CLAIT, CLAIT Plus and CLAIT advanced and the European Computer Driving Licence and Advanced ECDL certificate. iPro qualifications have recently been introduced and media based applications such as Web Design, Music, Graphic Design and Animation are available.
Other Provision
The options available at HMP Wolds are numerous and other possibilities include:
- History
- Geography
- Introduction to Self Employment
- Various Wildlife Topics
- Sport in the Community
- Football Studies
- Topic Work on areas of interest or hobbies
Higher Level Position
The following options are available:
- Open University study – we have around 20 students or more at any one time and are expert at helping
learners to fund funding.
- Other Distance Learning topics – we help learners to find funding for whatever course they would like to do.
- University Foundation Award – these are delivered by Hull University in Sociology and Psychology and can
be a first step towards attending university on release.
Vocational Qualifications
Qualifications available are:
- OCN Electrical Skills Level 1 and 2
- City and Guilds 17th Edition and Part P Electrical Certificates
- NVQ Catering
- NVQ Customer Service
- NVQ Performing Manufacturing Operations
- NVQ Horticulture
- NVQ Cleaning and Support Services
- NVQ Waste Management
- British Safety Council Health and Safety at Work Certificate
- Construction Skills Card Scheme
- Certificate of Professional Competence in Road Transport
- IC3 Computing
Family Learning
Initiated at HMP Wolds, the family learning project achieved a Butler Trust Award and has gone from strength to strength. The course runs for 10 weeks and the aim is to give families the opportunity to spend quality time together and to help children develop reading skills.
Parenting
This is a 6 week course. The classroom sessions involve written work, playing games, discussions and watching DVD’s and the gym sessions involve first aid, healthy eating and exercise. At the end of the course, the offender and their family will be invited onto a special visit in the gym and Visits hall during the school holidays (complete with bouncy castle and a football match!).
Reading Together
After 3 months of completing the Family Learning course offenders can apply to take part in the follow-on course “Reading Together”.
Relationship Courses
These are run by Learning & Skills staff, time for Families or Relate. There are a variety of workshops available ranging from couples and relationships, couples and money management and couples on parenting.
Friday Afternoon Craft class
This is an open session on Friday afternoons based in the classroom at Children & Families Resources Centre. During these sessions they are able to make soft toys, have a quiet place to complete any homework or browse the books for recording a CD or DVD for their child.
Storybook Dads
The aim of the Storybook Dads project is to record an offender reading a story for his child(ren). Then the CD or DVD is digitally enhanced with music and sound effects.
Kids Visiting
Kids Visiting are a group that runs at HMP Wolds, made up of offenders and Learning & Skills staff. Its sole purpose is to look at ways of improving visits for children.
The group has been established for over 5 years and in the past has raised over £7,000 (through funding applications) for books, toys and play equipment for the visits hall.
Family Meals
Offenders who are on premium incentive can apply for two meals per year. Offenders have a choice of meals, the meals are free, but drinks need to be paid for. The meals are only available on Tuesdays.
Cooking with the Family
The newly built kitchen at the Children & Families Resource Centre will take 3 families each week to cook and eat lunch together. Dads will get the chance to do a practice run the week beforehand so no previous skills are necessary!
New Leaf Conference
New Leaf is a project aimed at building bridges between offender and his own parents, brothers and sisters.
Evolution/School Visits
These special visits take place at HMP Wolds in the Programmes Department of the Chapel. Offenders are given the opportunity to speak to young people about their offences and life in prison in the hope of
deterring them!
Email a Prisoner
This is a new system which allows offenders to be emailed by their loved ones while they are in prison.
This service can be used from within the UK and overseas just like any usual email.
For more details contact emailaprisoner.com
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