HMP Rye Hill

Welcome to HM Prison Ryehill

HMP Rye Hill > Education

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Category B adult male prison situated in Warwickshire. This private prison was opened in 2001 and is run by GSL

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

Here at HMP Rye Hill we positively encourage prisoners to study either on a full-time or part-time basis. The Education Department is run in conjunction with City College Manchester and it is the aim to encourage, motivate and support all prisoners by enabling them to take responsibility for their own learning and training whilst extending their personal development.

Prisoners are offered the opportunity to improve basic Literacy, Numeracy and Information Technology skills, or take academic courses leading to certification from GCSE up to degree level.

Prisoners have access to learning resources held in the Education Department, as well as the prison library, which, if necessary, can arrange the loan of books.

At HMP Rye Hill there is a strong team of full-time staff headed by the Education Manager. The Education Department operates from Monday to Friday, with additional provision of evening classes and Saturday morning classes. There is also provision to provide education to the Vulnerable Prisoners (VP) Unit.

Prisoners mastering information technology skills

Courses available and achievable qualifications within main education
Courses available are the core subjects in the Education Department. Those listed can be studied at various levels and across differing locations within the prison.

Information Technology
English and maths
Key Skills
College Unit
Social and life skills
Art-Craft & Design

Information Technology
In the computer class prisoners will be offered a choice of courses, commencing with (National Inter-Action Certificate Award Scheme) NICAS (Computer Literacy and Information Technology) CLAIT, progressing onto (Integrated Business Technology) IBT 2 and Word and Text Processing.

English and Mathmatics
At HMP Rye Hill Education Department works towards the Basic Skills Agency Quality Mark. The aim is to help develop the communication and numeracy skills required in everyday living and in doing so the aim is to build both self-confidence and esteem, showing prisoners that they can succeed.

After an initial assessment of literacy and numeracy skills, prisoners work together with tutors to design a programme to suit their individual abilities and aims.

Social and Life Skills
At HMP Rye Hill we offer prisoners 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. The course should complement the offending behaviour programmes run by the Resettlement Team. The course has practical, cognitive and social categories:
The following is a brief overview of each unit.

Cookery is a popular activity

Cookery
Nutritional value of different foods
Types of ingredients
Kitchen equipment
Recipes
Cookery methods
Health and hygiene in the kitchen
Improving assertiveness and decision making

Other areas of personal development that prisoners can focus on are:

Personal development
Healthy living
Improving assertiveness and decision making
Preparation for work
Communication
Application of numbers
Information technology

All of the work completed will build up into a portfolio and will be examined by a representative from the examining body. In addition there are end tests to take. Prisoners will have the satisfaction of knowing that all of their efforts have been rewarded. College Unit The College Unit is a dedicated unit which houses HMP Rye Hill's students, prisoners who are accepted on to the College Unit may choose to attend classes where they can study the following courses, at various levels, on a flexible Open Learning basis:
Accounting Art and Design Business Studies Economics English Language English Literature History Information Technology Mathematics Pottery Psychology Sociology Social and Life Skills
	The gentle art of the potter
Exams are taken at a level appropriate to each prisoner's ability. Individual learning is assessed at regular intervals.

Art, Craft and Design Art, Craft and Design is taught in a well-equipped studio. Based on demand, courses offered are:
	Painting and Drawing Sculpture - Mixed Media Graphic Design Illustration Ceramics and Pottery Art History - Critical Studies All courses cover practical work and aspects of art and design. This means that prisoners will learn different ways of making their own artwork, at the same time as looking at, and thinking about, work that other artist have produced.
A selection of pottery made in the prison
Key skills Developing Key Skills is an important area of study and prisoners have the opportunity to gain qualifications that are nationally recognised: Highly valued by employers Welcomed by all colleges in the United Kingdom Upon completion of the course prisoners will receive a certificate
Part time courses Part time courses are available for all prisoners, but are most popular with prisoners who work in one of the industries during the day. These classes are available on Monday and Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings.