Advancing Corrections Journal - Edition #6 - Innovation in Education - Voices from the Front Line (ACJ6-A013)

Article 13: Developing The Learner Voice (ACJ6-A013)

Abstract

This paper presents three innovative projects in UK prisons which provide opportunities for students in prison to take greater ownership of their learning, recognising that this has significant benefits in a wider context. These include giving students responsibility for administration and peer support, Student Councils offering students voices to be heard and academic seminars to introduce prisoners to exciting new areas of study. Central to each of these is a strong commitment to “ensure that the student voice is present in decision making” (The Open University, 2018). Future plans and possibilities for building learning communities are proposed.

Please log in to download the full article. Access is available exclusively to ICPA Full, Staff, and Professional Members.

Authors

Ruth McFarlane

Senior Manager, Students in Secure Environments, The Open University, England

Ruth McFarlane leads the “Students in Secure Environments” team at The Open University (OU) which currently supports 1400 students across the UK with their degree level study. She has a number of areas of focus: Working with the Ministry of Justice to provide a high standard of HE in prisons, which meets the security requirements; lobbying government on key areas of development – especially funding and the use of technology; working with prisons at a local level to recruit students and support their studies, aiming to increase student numbers and Through the Gate support; and working with academic teams within the OU to adapt learning materials provided for students in prison and to facilitate tutor support. Ruth has an M Ed in Online and Distance Education, as well as a PGCE teaching qualification and has previously worked as a maths teacher in prisons.

Andrew Morris

Head of Student Support, HMP Ashfield, England

Andrew Morris leads the Student Support Service department at HMP Ashfield. His main areas of focus are in managing the Open University and Distance Learning and the Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) programs at Ashfield. He also supports the Shannon Trust Reading Plan and the Sumhelp Maths Mentoring schemes. Student Voice empowers students to say what they feel about the educational provision and Andrew is actively involved with the channelling of questions, fielding responses from management and overseeing improvements and change. Finally, Andrew delivers a mentoring qualification to students to help mentor their peers. Andrew is a qualified teacher and also current studying towards a Charted Manager Degree Apprentice (CMDA) BA hons in Business Management.

Advancing Corrections Journal - Edition #6 - Innovation in Education - Voices from the Front Line (ACJ6-A013)

Related topics

You may also be interested in