Prison Education

Flexible qualification structures and inclusive assessment approaches help ensure learning can continue despite operational challenges, enabling providers to design achievable, and purposeful curriculum. This supports personal and social development, employability, vocational learning and progression, alongside professional development for staff working in secure settings.

Gateway Qualifications brings extensive experience supporting education delivery across the secure estate, with a long‑standing focus on qualifications that are practical, accessible and inclusive.

Gateway Qualifications played a significant role in the delivery of ESOL qualifications within the secure estate, having been appointed by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) as the Awarding Organisation for ESOL across the prison estate in England. This experience established a strong foundation in supporting prison education, which continues to inform our approach today.

Recognised for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Our commitment to creating an inclusive environment where everyone is valued, empowered and respected was recognised and awarded at the Qualification and Assessment Excellence Awards 2025. Our DEI framework guides all aspects of our work, supporting staff and learners of every ability and ensuring that qualifications are developed, delivered and awarded fairly and accessibly.

Benefits of working with us

Ideal for the secure environment

Our flexibly designed qualifications work within the realities of secure settings. Developed with accessibility at their core, they support achievement in restricted environments and can be embedded within vocational learning, enabling learners to demonstrate skills through practical activity.

Support for learners who move to another prison

Learner movement between prisons is a reality of prison education. Gateway Qualifications’ personalised service, excellent customer care and flexible approach ensures that learners are not disadvantaged if they move between prisons mid-way through the course, and makes the process as simple as possible for the learning providers too.

Award winning e assessment

Our approach to digital assessment in prisons has been recognised nationally by winning Educational Assessment Outcomes Award at the 2025 International e Assessment Awards. The award recognises our work in delivering fair, digital assessments in secure environments, including the development of a secure e assessment model for Essential Digital Skills Qualifications where internet access was not available. By working closely with partners and HMPPS, this approach ensures prison learners can complete assessments that are fair, inclusive and comparable to those taken in the wider community.

Inclusive assessment by design

Around one third of prisoners identify as having a learning difficulty and/or disability. Our qualifications minimise the need for reasonable adjustments and special considerations through an inclusive approach to assessment for all learners.

A partner that understands prison education

Prison education providers are supported as a distinct customer group. We recognise the operational constraints you work within and offer clarity, reassurance and guidance shaped by real experience in the secure estate.

Gateway Qualifications has been incredible in conducting remote approval for sites and supporting us to get up and running within a couple of days.

Roxy Ball, Assistant Education Manager, HMP Ranby & Regional TE Lead, North Midlands Justice

Building staff skills

Staff working in prison education have the opportunity to gain recognised qualifications that support their own professional development and directly improve learner success. Many staff undertake qualifications in areas such as education and training and SEND, strengthening their ability to assess learners effectively, assure quality and deliver education to a consistently high standard.

This development builds confidence, deepens inclusive practice and supports robust, fair assessment in challenging custodial environments. By developing their skills in this way, staff play a vital role in improving the quality and credibility of prison education, supporting positive outcomes for individuals, strengthening education systems within the secure estate, and contributing to better prospects beyond custody.

Our prison education offer includes qualifications in:

English and Maths

ESOL

Construction

Digital

Employability

Personal & Social Development