ReMAKE Educational

Remake Educational (R.E.) is an outreach project introducing sixth form pupils to ex-offenders. It is an opportunity for both sides to come together to talk, share experiences, debate and learn.  

The project supports ex-offender learning, stimulates informed dialogue in schools about the justice system and enables pupils to gain an insight into the lives of young people from different backgrounds.  It is about breaking down barriers and helping pupils understand that ex-offenders are people wanting to change. 

ReMAKE Educational is an off shoot of Project ReMAKE; a 12 week training programme for formerly incarcerated people helping them to learn and set up a small business.  The programme was created at Stanford University, California and brought to the UK by Judge Kameel Khan. This project has run for two years in British universities (piloted at King’s College, London) enabling ex-offenders to work alongside law students.

Benefits for the School

one

Pupils can demonstrate practical and valuable work experience in the charity sector for UCAS application.

two

A project complementing study in law, psychology, politics, social studies and music.

three

Pupils leaving school with a nuanced and empathetic understanding of this aspect of society.

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An opportunity for school to demonstrate they are providing a “public benefit” as defined by the Charity Commission.  

five

The school demonstrating its holistic approach in extending the learning beyond the classroom. 

Benefits for ex-offenders

one

Taking part in productive activities on equal terms with young people from different backgrounds

two

Sharing their experience of life before, during and after incarceration, without judgment

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Help build life goals and visions for their future

four

Learning at some of the best schools in the country

five

Enjoying teamwork, camaraderie and a celebratory meal

The Course

The Course

Comprising a 5 week course for a group of 12 lower sixth pupils, run on the same day each week. Specific dates to run the course can be agreed with the school. The long term view is to run the course annually/biannually.

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The sessions may involve:

  • A guest speaker involved in prison reform to speak at the school about prison life, rehabilitation programmes, prison reform and government policy.

  • A group of ex-offenders will also visit to tell their story, explaining what it means to be an ex-offender, social exclusion, their prison experience, living in poverty and rebuilding their lives.

  • A visit to a prison (if allowed) enabling pupils to hear the stories from a group of similar ages to themselves.

  • In a classroom setting, pupils teaching and helping ex-offenders with their social media profile.

  • We are working with the charity Finding Rhythms and Warner Brothers bringing together creative songwriters and musicians (ex-offenders and pupils) creating music and story.

  • Link school with King’s and provide pupils with the opportunity to sit in on a criminology lecture, meet students and get to know more about Criminal Justice.

  • A celebratory meal with ex-offenders and pupils.

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We are open to your views and comments and can structure programmes to suit your school requirements.

This project is in line with The Lord Mayors ‘Skills for Londoners Strategy’ which seeks to bring marginalised people in contact with business. It also fulfils Access Agreements between the university and the Government which requires universities to work with a broad range of students. The Access Agreements are regulated by the Office of Students. 

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Additional information

12 Lower Sixth pupils to attend the course. There may be scope for additional pupils to hear the stories of ex-offenders during their visit to the school. Sessions in school to last approximately 2 hours. Off site visits will be longer allowing for travel.

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School requirements

We will work with the school and can adapt the programme if necessary.

The ex-offenders taking part in this course will be vetted and will have come through reliable sources.

The Team

ReMAKE Educational is led by Bernadette Ross-Smith.

With 13 years experience as a School Registrar, Bernadette is an advocate for prison reform and ex-offender rehabilitation, visiting HMP Hollesley Bay in Suffolk on a weekly basis, working with a cohort of Suffolk volunteers. She was Chair of Ipswich Winter Night Shelter.

Supported by

Prison – You may be confined by it, do not be defined by it.

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