Cover Tutor

Peopleplus; West Stow; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

PeoplePlus is seeking a Cover Tutor to support education delivery at HMP Highpoint. You will ensure continuity by stepping into classes at short notice and delivering engaging, inclusive sessions that motivate learners to achieve.

You will adapt to diverse groups, maintain professional boundaries, and embed literacy, numeracy, digital skills, and employability where appropriate. The role emphasizes safeguarding and collaboration with prison staff.

Qualifications

• A recognised teaching qualification or willingness to work towards one.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and classroom management skills.
• Ability to engage learners from diverse backgrounds and varying levels of ability.
• Experience delivering Functional Skills Maths and/or English from Entry Level to Level 2.
• Experience in prison, further education, or adult learning environments.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, health and safety, and Ofsted EIF.

Responsibilities

• Deliver planned lessons and activities across classes and subjects, adapting to different groups and needs.
• Create a positive, respectful learning environment and maintain professional boundaries.
• Differentiate activities and embed literacy, numeracy, digital skills and employability.
• Check learner understanding and provide feedback; complete registers and documentation.
• Support continuity of learning when covering established classes and collaborate with education teams.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Classroom management

Adaptability

Resilience

Education

Teaching qualification

Functional Skills Maths/English (Entry–Level 2)

Job description

We are looking for a passionate, resilient, and committed Cover Tutor to support the delivery of high-quality education at HMP Highpoint. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a genuine difference by supporting learners to develop the knowledge, skills, confidence, and qualifications they need to progress towards rehabilitation, employability, and successful reintegration into society.

As a Cover Tutor, you will play an important role in maintaining continuity of learning by stepping into classes at short notice, delivering engaging and inclusive sessions, and creating a positive environment where learners feel supported and motivated to achieve.

What You'll Be Doing

Teaching & Learning

• Deliver planned lessons and learning activities across a range of classes and subject areas.
• Adapt quickly to different groups, learning needs, abilities, and classroom environments.
• Create a positive, respectful, and supportive learning environment that encourages participation and achievement.
• Establish effective relationships with learners while maintaining clear professional boundaries.
• Differentiate activities and provide appropriate support to meet individual learner needs.
• Embed literacy, numeracy, digital skills, employability, and personal development where appropriate.
• Use engaging and motivational approaches to encourage learner participation and continued attendance.
• Ensure learning continues effectively during staff absence or changes to the timetable.

Learner Support

• Act as a positive role model and encourage learners to develop confidence, resilience, and self-esteem.
• Recognise barriers to learning and provide appropriate support or refer concerns to relevant colleagues.
• Encourage learners to take responsibility for their learning and personal development.
• Promote positive behaviour, mutual respect, inclusion, and a safe learning environment.
• Support learners in working towards their educational, vocational, and future employment goals.

Assessment & Progress

• Follow existing lesson plans, schemes of work, and learning programmes effectively.
• Check learner understanding and provide constructive feedback during sessions.
• Complete registers and relevant classroom documentation accurately.
• Record and communicate significant learner progress, concerns, or incidents to the appropriate team members.
• Support the continuity of assessment and learning when covering established classes.

Quality, Safeguarding & Compliance

• Maintain high standards of professionalism, safeguarding, equality, and health and safety.
• Follow HMP Highpoint and organisational policies and procedures at all times.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries within the prison environment.
• Contribute to a positive culture of continuous improvement and high-quality teaching and learning.
• Ensure all required records and documentation are completed accurately and promptly.

Teamwork & Flexibility

• Work collaboratively with tutors, education staff, prison staff, and wider support teams.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues to ensure a smooth transition when covering classes.
• Be flexible and responsive to changing operational and educational requirements.
• Attend team meetings, training, CPD, and other relevant activities.
• Support the wider education team by providing reliable and effective class cover when required.

What We're Looking For

• A recognised teaching qualification or willingness to work towards one.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and classroom management skills.
• The ability to engage learners from diverse backgrounds and with varying levels of ability.
• Confidence and flexibility when working with unfamiliar classes and learning environments.
• The ability to follow lesson plans and adapt delivery appropriately.
• Resilience, patience, professionalism, and a calm approach when working in a challenging environment.
• An understanding of safeguarding, equality, health and safety, and professional boundaries.
• Good organisational and administrative skills, including completing registers and learning documentation accurately.
• A genuine commitment to supporting adult learners and helping them achieve their potential.
• Experience working in a prison, further education, adult learning, or similar environment.
• Experience delivering Functional Skills Maths and/or English from Entry Level to Level 2.
• Experience supporting learners with additional learning needs.
• Knowledge of the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework (EIF).
• Experience using diagnostic and digital learning tools such as BKSB.
• Internal Quality Assurance experience or qualification.
• Experience working with individual learning plans (ILPs), assessment, and learner progress tracking.

Why Join Us?

• Make a genuine difference by using education to support rehabilitation and positive change.
• Work as part of a supportive team committed to improving outcomes for learners.
• Develop your skills and experience through ongoing training, CPD, and varied teaching opportunities.
• Enjoy a varied role where every day brings new learners, classes, and challenges.
• Help learners build a better future through education, confidence, skills, and meaningful qualifications.

Our Values

We are looking for people who demonstrate our core values:

Customer First – putting learners and improving lives at the heart of what we do.

True North – acting with integrity, professionalism, and respect.

Own It – taking responsibility and accountability for our work.

Improve to be the Best – continually developing ourselves and looking for ways to improve the learning experience.

Join us at HMP Highpoint and help change lives through education.