Colleagues from Milton Keynes College Group are celebrating after HMP Frankland, where the College delivers education services, has received a ‘Good’ rating from inspectors. 

Published this week, the HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) report is based on an inspection of HMP Frankland in March this year. The report is very positive, with Education and Skills judged to be Good across the board. In particular, Ofsted highlighted: 

“Leadership and management at Frankland is ambitious for its prisoners. There is good progression, with prisoners encouraged to build a ‘career in custody’. There is a prison-wide approach to delivering good quality provision, and partnership working is strong.” 

“There is a clear and concise Reading Strategy across the prison and really effective careers guidance, to support prisoners taking up the ‘career in custody’ route.” 

“The curriculum provided by Milton Keynes College meets the needs of the population well, with a good range of accredited courses. Attendance and punctuality are high.” 

“There is a calm and orderly environment, with the values of tolerance and respect well promoted, and a range of activities provided to deepen understanding of Equality and Diversity.” 

This positive report comes after Milton Keynes College received a ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted following an inspection in February this year for its Further Education provisions across its Chaffron Way and Bletchley campuses. 

Joanne Watmore, Education Manager at HMP Frankland, commented: Joanne Watmore, Education Manager at HMP Frankland, commented: “We’re delighted that HMP Frankland has received a Good rating in its latest inspection. This report highlights several areas that the College staff excel in, and we’re extremely proud of our colleagues for their hard work and dedication in achieving this. Of course, our main aim in providing education services is to benefit our learners, and we think that this report demonstrates that our colleagues do an excellent job in supporting prisoners with learning important skills that will support them in their journeys both during their time in custody and after their release”. 

Sally Alexander, CEO and Group Principal at Milton Keynes College Group, added: “It’s such fantastic news that HMP Frankland has been rated as ‘Good’ in its latest inspection. Our colleagues in the prisons we provide education services for are extremely committed to supporting their learners, and this report demonstrates this. Good quality education is needed across all of our communities, and providing this in custody is a central part of our Fairer Futures Strategy. A huge well done and thank you to all of the staff at HMP Frankland for their hard work and dedication”. 

To find out more about MK College Group’s prison education services, visit Prison Services – MK College.