Functional Skills English Tutor- HMP

Dovetail and Slate; East Horsley; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

Bank holidays

Pension scheme

Life Assurance

Cycle to Work

Holiday purchase

Wedding/Maternity leave

Retail discounts

Job summary

Dovetail and Slate on-site at HMP High Down in Sutton, Surrey, seeks an inspiring Functional Skills English Tutor to deliver City & Guilds FS English from Entry Level 1 to Level 2 for up to 12 learners. The role supports literacy development and personal growth within a prison education setting.

You will assess learners, create ILPs, track progress with BKSB, and use adaptive pedagogy to make literacy engaging. Collaboration with staff and wellbeing of learners are central to the role.

Qualifications

• Essential Level 3 English qualification.
• Level 5 teaching qualification preferred; or willing to work towards.
• Proven FS English teaching with strong planning.
• Excellent ILP, registers and assessment logs administration.
• Experience in prison/secure education desirable.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver interactive Functional Skills English lessons in small groups.
• Conduct initial assessments and use BKSB to create ILPs and track progress.
• Utilise digital resources to make literacy accessible.
• Prepare learners for City & Guilds assessments.
• Promote literacy and numeracy across the prison environment.
• Collaborate with prison staff and support teams to ensure outcomes.

Skills

ILP management

Lesson planning

Classroom management

Strong communication

Administrative skills

Digital literacy

Education

Level 3 English

Level 5 teaching qualification

PGCE or equivalent

Tools

BKSB diagnostics

EIF knowledge

IQA qualification

Job description

Job Title: Functional Skills English Tutor

Location: HMP (Sutton, Surrey)

Salary: From £30,000 + £5,000 London Weighting

Contract: Permanent, Full-Time

The Opportunity

We have an exciting opportunity for an inspiring Functional Skills English Tutor to join our prison education team on-site at HMP High Down. In this deeply rewarding role, you will deliver City & Guilds Functional Skills English qualifications from Entry Level 1 through to Level 2. Working with small class sizes (up to 12 learners), you will play a vital role in boosting literacy, building self-esteem, and helping individuals reshape their futures.

What You Will Be Doing

• Engaging Delivery: Plan and deliver interactive, inclusive Functional Skills English lessons tailored to small groups of adult learners with varied educational backgrounds and learning needs.
• Assessment & ILP Management: Conduct initial assessments and use BKSB diagnostic tools to establish starting points, construct Individual Learning Plans (ILPs), and track continuous student progression.
• Adaptive Pedagogy: Utilise innovative, practical, and digital resources to make literacy accessible, engaging, and relevant for all learners.
• Exam Preparation: Prepare learners for formal City & Guilds assessments and qualifications, celebrating their literacy milestones and personal development.
• Promoting Literacy: Actively encourage reading for pleasure and promote literacy and numeracy standards across the prison environment.
• Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Partner with prison staff, learning support practitioners, and employability teams to ensure positive, holistic learner outcomes.

What We Are Looking For

• Subject Expertise: Essential Level 3 qualification in English.
• Teaching Credentials: Level 5 teaching qualification (PGCE, Cert Ed, DTLLS, or equivalent) is preferred. No Level 5 qualification? Candidates with relevant delivery experience who are willing to work towards a Level 5 qualification are encouraged to apply.
• Teaching Experience: Proven track record of delivering Functional Skills English qualifications with strong classroom management and lesson planning skills.
• Core Competencies: Excellent administrative capability (ILPs, registers, assessment logs), strong communication skills, and the resilience to teach in a secure environment.
• Desirable Criteria: Prior experience within prison education, FE, or adult learning settings, familiarity with BKSB diagnostics, knowledge of Ofsted's Education Inspection Framework (EIF), or an IQA qualification.

Our Benefits Include

• 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
• Paid volunteering day each year
• Generous pension scheme & Life Assurance
• Cycle to Work scheme & Holiday purchase scheme
• Enhanced Wedding Leave & Enhanced Maternity Scheme
• Access to hundreds of retail discounts via the Additions portal

We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All appointments are subject to satisfactory vetting, including a right to work check and, where relevant, an enhanced DBS, PVG (Scotland), or EWC (Wales) check, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

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