Coracle

Coracle is a leading e-learning provider based in Cambridge, established in 2006. The company focuses on enhancing digital literacy, particularly for prisoners, by supplying secure laptops equipped with preloaded educational content. Coracle operates in over 90 prisons across England and Wales, providing approximately 2,500 devices to help inmates access learning materials offline. The initiative addresses the digital divide, aiming to improve prisoners’ life skills and employability, facilitating their reintegration into society.

Coracle’s proprietary technology includes the Osprey-VLE software, a cloud-based platform that supports offline digital learning. The laptops are built on Chrome OS and are designed to be secure and non-networked, ensuring compliance with the strict requirements of Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). The platform allows prisoners to follow personalised learning journeys, assess their skills, and track their progress through an intuitive dashboard.

The organisation collaborates with numerous educational and technology partners, including The Open University, Prison Education Trust, Shannon Trust, and Koestler Arts, to provide high-quality and regularly updated content. These partnerships enable prisoners to gain essential skills and qualifications that prepare them for life after release.

Coracle’s on-site team of security-vetted staff supports both learners and prison staff, ensuring the effective use of devices. They provide guidance on deployment, familiarisation, and ongoing assistance. This approach has shown positive impacts within prisons, such as calmer environments, improved self-esteem among learners, and increased autonomy in study habits.

Coracle’s mission is to bridge the digital divide by empowering isolated learners through accessible education. By providing tools to support learning, employability, and well-being, Coracle contributes to reducing reoffending rates and building safer communities. The company’s vision is to ensure that no one is isolated from learning opportunities, and it continues to scale its operations to reach more prisoners across the UK.

Coracle, a Cambridge-based EdTech company, was founded in 2006 by James Tweed. The idea originated during a conversation James had with his brother-in-law, Nader Nanjiani, who worked at Cisco Systems and had extensive experience in interactive media and e-learning. Nader's insights inspired James to explore digital learning, leading to a proposal to digitise the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers' (ICS) TutorShip distance learning course. This marked Coracle's beginning as the exclusive digital reseller for ICS, offering the first online maritime courses tailored for ICS exams.

The name "Coracle" symbolises flexibility and portability, akin to the lightweight Roman-era fishing boat. Similarly, Coracle’s platform allows users to carry their learning resources wherever they go, fostering continuous learning.

Initially focused on delivering maritime courses, Coracle adapted its approach during the 2008–2009 global financial crisis, transitioning to a B2B model. This shift expanded its services across various business sectors.

Over the years, Coracle achieved several milestones. In 2007, it became the exclusive online course provider for ICS and launched the first online maritime course. It introduced innovative products like the "Ship It" iPhone app in 2011, which became a top-ranked educational game globally, and the Maritime Twitter Top40 to monitor industry trends. The company also launched standalone software, CoracleQuiz.com, in 2011, and its v1.0 platform, The Learning Line, in 2013.

In 2016, Coracle received NHS England SBRI funding to develop the "GP of the Future" project. This innovation paved the way for the 2017 launch of Osprey-VLE, Coracle’s v2.0 platform, which supports skills gap analysis, course access, assessments, and personalised learning journeys.

Today, Coracle operates in over 70 countries with an active user base exceeding 25,000 individuals. Its mission to eliminate isolation in learning has led to significant contributions in prison education, providing secure, offline digital tools to inmates. The company continues to innovate, guided by its vision of creating a world where learning opportunities are accessible to all.

Coracle’s mission is to create a world where no one is isolated from learning opportunities. The company focuses on providing secure, accessible digital learning tools to help individuals develop skills, improve employability, and support personal growth. By addressing the digital divide, Coracle aims to empower learners, particularly in challenging environments like prisons, to gain knowledge and build better futures. Through innovative technology and partnerships with leading educational providers, Coracle ensures that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has access to quality learning resources and opportunities to succeed in their personal and professional lives.

Coracle envisions a future where learning is inclusive, accessible, and transformative for everyone. The company strives to close the digital divide by delivering secure educational tools that empower individuals to achieve their potential. It aims to create environments where learners feel motivated, supported, and in control of their progress, regardless of their location or circumstances. By collaborating with forward-thinking partners and leveraging innovative technology, Coracle works towards a world where digital literacy is a right, helping to build safer communities and improve lives through education.

Coracle has received several prestigious awards and recognitions for its innovative contributions to digital learning. Notable achievements include being a finalist in the National Business Awards for Best Use of Technology and the National Customer Service Awards. The company also won the Poseidon Challenge Award and was recognised in the Startups Awards for Best Use of Technology. Coracle’s maritime learning solutions earned the Lloyd’s List Innovation Award. Additionally, its educational app, "Ship It," ranked as the top educational game in multiple countries, showcasing its impact on global learning. These accolades highlight Coracle's commitment to accessible and transformative education.

Coracle provides a range of specialised products and services designed to enhance digital learning and bridge the digital divide. Its solutions cater to individuals in challenging environments, such as prisons, as well as organisations seeking tailored educational tools. The following details outline Coracle’s core products and services.

1. Osprey-VLE Platform

Coracle’s flagship product is the Osprey-VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) platform. This cloud-based system supports offline digital learning and helps users identify and address skills gaps. The platform allows learners to access course materials, complete assessments, and track their progress through an intuitive dashboard. Designed for personalisation, Osprey-VLE adapts to individual learning needs, offering tailored content and enabling self-paced study. The platform’s offline capabilities make it accessible in environments where internet connectivity is restricted.

2. Secure IT-as-a-Service for Prisons

Coracle supplies secure, non-networked laptops, primarily for use in prisons. These Chrome OS devices come preloaded with educational content, enabling inmates to study independently and offline. The service includes deployment, technical support, and on-site guidance from a team of vetted experts. Coracle collaborates closely with prison staff to ensure that learners maximise the benefits of their devices. This initiative aims to improve digital literacy among prisoners, boosting their employability and supporting their rehabilitation.

3. Bespoke Learning Programmes

Coracle develops customised learning programmes in collaboration with Learning and Skills Managers. These programmes are tailored to individual needs, helping learners achieve personal and professional goals. By working with leading education providers, Coracle ensures the content is relevant, engaging, and beneficial for life after release. Examples include life skills, vocational training, and academic courses.

4. Digital Toolkit

The Digital Toolkit is a feature of Coracle’s learning platform that offers personalised learning journeys. It allows users to assess their skills, identify knowledge gaps, and access appropriate learning materials. The toolkit includes modules for evaluation tasks, self-reflection, and skill-building, ensuring learners have a structured approach to their education. Progress is tracked through an activity timeline, which follows learners across locations, including when they move between prisons or rejoin society.

5. Content Partnerships

Coracle collaborates with respected educational institutions and organisations to provide high-quality learning materials. Partners include The Open University, Prisoners’ Education Trust, Shannon Trust, Koestler Arts, and others. These partnerships ensure learners have access to a wide variety of subjects, from academic courses to vocational training and life skills development. The content is regularly updated to remain relevant and effective.

6. Support Services

Coracle provides comprehensive support services to ensure the effective use of its products. A dedicated on-site team helps learners and staff with device familiarisation, technical issues, and ongoing queries. This support ensures that educational goals are met and that staff can seamlessly integrate the technology into their environments.

7. Podcasts and Media

In addition to its core products, Coracle offers educational podcasts and media resources. These cover topics like market trends, maritime law, and recruitment. With millions of downloads, the podcasts provide valuable insights and learning opportunities.