Novus

Are you a passionate teacher looking to make a meaningful difference?

We're recruiting for a Functional Skills Teacher to join the Novus team at HMP Altcourse, Liverpool on a 12-month fixed-term contract.

At Novus, we believe education can transform lives. As a Functional Skills Teacher, you'll help prison learners develop essential literacy and numeracy skills, build confidence, and take positive steps towards a brighter future. Every lesson you deliver has the potential to create lasting impact.

What we offer as part of the Novus package:
✅ 40 days annual leave plus bank holidays (taken any time, not just in school holidays)
✅ Teacher's Pension Scheme
✅ 2 hours per week dedicated to wellbeing and personal development
✅ Employee Assistance Programme
✅ Retail discounts and Cycle to Work scheme

We're looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated teacher who can create engaging learning environments, motivate learners, and support them to achieve their goals.

If you're ready to use your skills to support rehabilitation and help individuals unlock their potential, we'd love to hear from you.

Find out more here: https://recruitment.ltegroup.co.uk/tlive_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC107GF.open?VACANCY_ID=565858T5ZB&WVID=678774035F

Today, on Thank a Teacher Day, we want to celebrate the incredible teachers working across Novus and recognise the life-changing impact they have every day.

Teaching in prison education is about so much more than delivering lessons. It is about building confidence, creating opportunities, and helping people see a future they may never have thought possible. Our teachers support learners to gain skills, achieve qualifications, and develop the belief that positive change is within reach.

Every day, Novus teachers bring dedication, patience, expertise and compassion into their classrooms. They inspire learners to overcome barriers, discover their potential, and take important steps towards a brighter future.

The impact of a great teacher can last a lifetime. In prison education, that impact can be transformational - helping individuals rebuild their lives, strengthen their prospects, and contribute positively to their communities.

To all our brilliant teachers across Novus: thank you for the difference you make, the opportunities you create, and the futures you help shape. We are incredibly proud of everything you do.

We're delighted to see the latest inspection report recognise the positive impact that education is having at HMYOI Parc.

Following a joint inspection by HM Inspectorate of Prisons and Estyn, The provision at HMYOI Parc was described as "arguably the best YOI in England and Wales", with inspectors highlighting the quality of education, strong learner engagement and the breadth of opportunities available to young people in custody.

As the education provider at HMYOI Parc, Novus Gower (a partnership between Novus and Gower College Swansea) is proud to play a role in supporting learners to develop new skills, gain qualifications and build confidence for their futures.

The report recognised the positive relationships between staff and learners, the strength of the curriculum, and initiatives that support personal development, literacy and progression.

The findings are a testament to the dedication of colleagues across Novus Gower, whose commitment helps create meaningful opportunities for young people every day. They also reflect the strength of our partnership with Gower College Swansea and the collaborative approach taken across the establishment to support positive outcomes.

Education has the power to transform lives, and we're proud to be part of a team helping young people take important steps towards employment, further learning and successful futures beyond custody.

Congratulations to everyone involved at HMYOI Parc and thank you to our Novus Gower colleagues, your work is making a real difference to the young learners that you support.

Read more:

Novus Gower Education Helps Make HMYOI Parc a Leading Young Offender Institution Discover how Novus Gower's innovative education programmes at HMYOI Parc are improving outcomes, boosting qualifications and reducing reoffending.

What role can reading play in rehabilitation?

At Novus, we see every day how reading helps learners build confidence, develop essential skills, improve wellbeing and engage in education. It is often the first step towards wider learning, employability and positive life change.

Following last week's Reading in Prison Day event, organised by Prison Reading Groups, we've reflected on the inspiring discussions, innovative programmes and examples of excellent practice taking place across the prison estate.

The event highlighted the growing momentum behind reading initiatives, particularly as the UK celebrates the National Year of Reading 2026. From Reading the Way groups and prison libraries to classroom-based literacy support and reading-for-pleasure initiatives, reading continues to transform lives behind bars.

We're also proud that examples of practice at Novus sites, including HMP Rye Hill and HMP Frankland, were highlighted during the event, reinforcing the importance of creating a culture where reading is visible, accessible and valued.

Read our latest article to learn more about Reading in Prison Day and why literacy remains such a powerful tool for rehabilitation:

Reading in Prison: Reflections from Reading in Prison Day 2026 | Novus Discover key insights from Reading in Prison Day 2026 and explore how reading initiatives support rehabilitation, well being and education across prisons. Learn how Novus is helping transform lives through literacy.

We're delighted to share the success of a recent professional development workshop delivered in collaboration with the National Gallery.

Led by Artist Educator Jo Lewis, the session explored how creativity and visual enquiry can be used across prison education to inspire learners, build confidence, and create more engaging learning experiences.

Novus colleagues described the workshop as "inspiring", "thought-provoking" and "better than expected", leaving with practical ideas they can use immediately in their classrooms.

The training highlighted how creative approaches can:
✨ Increase learner engagement and confidence
✨ Support communication, critical thinking and reflection
✨ Encourage learner voice and participation
✨ Enhance learning across subjects including English, maths and digital skills
✨ Bring colleagues together to share ideas and best practice

One participant shared: "I have some wonderful strategies to apply - I feel excited to apply them."

It's fantastic to see our teachers embracing new ways to make learning more inclusive, engaging and enjoyable for everyone. A dedicated community of practice has now been established, enabling colleagues to continue sharing ideas, experiences and the positive impact they're seeing in their classrooms.

A huge thank you to Jo Lewis and the National Gallery for such an inspiring and valuable learning experience.

Last month Novus Cambria hosted a Barbering Employment and Skills Event at HMP Berwyn, bringing together local employers, industry professionals and support organisations to engage directly with learners preparing for release.

The event welcomed salon owners, barbering educators, careers advisers and business professionals who shared valuable insights into the barbering industry, including employment opportunities, self-employment, chair rental arrangements and advanced barbering techniques. Learners also benefited from discussions around working with different hair textures and the realities of building a successful career in the sector.

Alongside industry representatives, partner organisations including DWP, Careers Wales, NACRO and Adferiad provided practical advice on housing, funding, training opportunities, travel support and post-release employment services, helping learners better understand the support available to them as they transition back into their communities.

The impact was significant. All five learners currently undertaking barbering training were offered ongoing training and employment support upon release by attending business owners. A further five learners who had already completed their qualification received additional careers advice and guidance to support their next steps into employment.

Feedback from guests was overwhelmingly positive, with attendees praising both the high standard of training being delivered and the quality of the facilities available at HMP Berwyn, including the barbering shop, Wellbeing Hub and restaurant.

A huge thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the event. By working together, we can continue to create opportunities, build confidence and support learners towards sustainable employment and successful futures.

What happens when Novus learners are given ownership, purpose, and a platform to showcase their skills?

At HMP Preston, the answer is Preston Press - a learner-led newsletter produced within Novus Digital Skills classes.

From researching and writing articles to designing and publishing each edition, learners are developing valuable digital, literacy, communication, and employability skills through a real-world project with a genuine audience.

The newsletter also promotes reading, wellbeing, enrichment activities, and learner voice, demonstrating how education can create meaningful opportunities for personal growth and engagement while in custody.

Projects like Preston Press reflect our commitment to delivering innovative prison education that helps learners build confidence, develop new skills, and work towards positive futures.

Read more about how learners at HMP Preston are bringing education to life through Preston Press: https://www.novus.ac.uk/homepage/news/learner-led-newsletter-hmp-preston/

Looking for a role where you can lead change and make a real impact across education services?

We’re recruiting for an exciting Contract Lot Manager role to join our Novus team, leading prison education delivery across the West Midlands.

This is a fantastic opportunity to play a strategic role, driving quality, performance, and innovation across multiple sites while supporting teams to deliver outstanding outcomes for learners.

What makes this role stand out:
✔ The opportunity to lead and shape education provision across multiple sites
✔ A strategic leadership role with real responsibility and impact
✔ Hybrid working patterns to support flexibility
✔ Excellent annual leave plus bank holidays
✔ Competitive pension and wellbeing support

You’ll be working with diverse teams and stakeholders, building strong partnerships and driving continuous improvement to support learner success and positive outcomes.

Apply here: https://ow.ly/Pivp50Z6fpU

We’re looking for an experienced and passionate Education Manager to lead our education provision at HMP Holme House in Stockton-on-Tees.

This is an opportunity to shape the strategic direction of prison education within a Category C men’s prison, leading a dedicated team to deliver high-quality learning that supports rehabilitation, progression, and positive futures.

We’re looking for someone who can:
• Inspire and lead teams to deliver educational excellence
• Drive quality improvement and curriculum development
• Build strong partnerships and create meaningful learner outcomes
• Champion innovative teaching and learning practices within prison education

If you’re a strategic education leader ready to make a genuine impact through rehabilitation and learning, we’d love to hear from you. For more information visit the link below.

Job profile Are you a strategic, forward-thinking leader with a passion for driving educational excellence? We’re searching for an exceptional Local Education Manager to lead our innovative and dedicated team! If you’re ready to shape the future of education, inspire staff, and create a transformative learn...

We’re proud to celebrate two Novus colleagues at HMP Rye Hill who have been recognised with the Tom Shannon Award for their outstanding contribution to literacy learning at the prison.

Olivia and Michael have gone above and beyond to support learners, peer mentors, and volunteer facilitator Julian, helping to create a positive and inclusive learning culture across the prison.

Their dedication, compassion, and commitment to education have strengthened literacy and numeracy support, empowered mentors to build confidence, and ensured learners feel welcomed, respected, and encouraged throughout their educational journey.

This award is a testament to the impact they make every day through partnership, professionalism, and a shared belief in the power of learning to transform lives.

Congratulations Olivia and Michael on this well-deserved recognition. https://www.novus.ac.uk/homepage/news/staff-receive-award-for-outstanding-literacy-support/