Creative Arts & Skills / Music Tutor

Hmp Grendon; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

MK College Group is seeking an enthusiastic and adaptable Creative Arts & Skills / Music Tutor to join our education team at HMP Grendon. This role uses creativity to engage learners within a prison education setting, focusing on confidence-building and personal development.

You will design hands-on activities across art, music, design and crafts, tailoring sessions to adults at varying starting points while ensuring safety and safeguarding in a secure environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in creative arts, design, crafts, music or related discipline.
• Ability to inspire learners from diverse backgrounds.
• Learner-centred, practical and flexible approach to teaching.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver engaging, practical creative skills sessions for adult learners.
• Develop learners' creative, technical and transferable skills through hands-on activities.
• Adapt learning activities to differing abilities and starting points.
• Support learners to plan, create and complete individual and group projects.
• Encourage confidence, communication, teamwork and problem-solving.
• Maintain learner records and contribute to assessment processes.

Skills

Creative arts

Music teaching

Adult education

Education

Teaching qualifications

Experience with adult learners

Job description

MK College Group is seeking an enthusiastic and adaptable Creative Arts & Skills / Music Tutor to join our education team at HMP Grendon. This is a unique opportunity to use creativity as a tool for engagement, confidence‑building and personal development within a prison education setting. Working with learners from a wide range of backgrounds, you will deliver practical, inclusive and engaging sessions that encourage participation, develop skills and support positive progression. Unlike a traditional classroom environment, success in this role is not measured solely by qualifications or completed projects. It's about helping learners develop confidence, explore their creativity, build transferable skills and experience the benefits of positive learning. About the Role You will design and deliver creative, hands‑on learning activities that may draw on areas such as:

• Art and design
• Creative making and crafts
• Music - e.g Keyboard, Guitar (instruments suitable to the restraints of the environment)
• Visual arts
• Product design and development
• Creative projects and enterprise activities
• Other practical and creative disciplines

Learners may join and leave courses at different stages, with varying levels of experience, confidence and ability. You'll therefore be comfortable creating flexible, accessible activities that can engage learners both as one‑off sessions and as part of a broader programme. HMP Grendon operates a Therapeutic Community model, and your work will complement the wider rehabilitative environment by encouraging self‑expression, problem‑solving, collaboration and personal development.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver engaging, practical creative skills sessions tailored to the needs of adult learners.
• Develop learners' creative, technical and transferable skills through hands‑on activities.
• Adapt learning activities to accommodate differing abilities, interests and learner starting points.
• Support learners to plan, create and complete individual and group projects.
• Encourage confidence, communication, teamwork and problem‑solving.
• Monitor learner progress and provide constructive feedback.
• Maintain learner records and contribute to the assessment process as required.
• Create a safe, positive and inclusive learning environment.
• Work collaboratively with prison and education colleagues to maximise learner engagement and progression.
• Ensure all teaching activities comply with prison security, safeguarding and health and safety requirements.

We're looking for someone who:

• Has experience, qualifications or professional skills within a creative arts, design, crafts, music or related practical discipline.
• Can inspire and motivate learners from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities.
• Has a learner‑centred, practical and flexible approach to teaching or facilitation.
• Understands how creative activities can support personal development, confidence and employability skills.
• Is adaptable, patient and solutions‑focused.
• Can work effectively within the security and professional boundaries of a prison environment.
• Has strong communication, organisation and classroom management skills.
• Is committed to inclusive education and helping learners achieve their potential.

Teaching qualifications and experience of working with adult learners are desirable; however, we welcome applications from experienced creative practitioners who are passionate about supporting others to learn and develop.

This is an opportunity to do more than teach a subject. You'll help learners discover new strengths, develop valuable skills and engage positively in education, often for the first time in many years. If you're a creative professional who can think on your feet, adapt to challenges and inspire others through practical learning, we'd love to hear from you.

What Makes This Role Different?

Working within a secure prison environment requires creativity, flexibility and resilience. Some materials, tools and resources commonly used within creative industries may not be permitted for security reasons. You will need to think creatively, adapt activities and make the most of available resources to provide meaningful and engaging learning experiences. The role is also offered on a fixed timetable of three afternoons per week, reflecting the prison's operational regime. While there is flexibility over which three days are worked (Monday to Thursday), the teaching hours themselves cannot be altered.

Commitment to safeguarding