Functional Skills English Tutor- HMP

Dovetail & Slate; Sutton Green; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

Volunteer day

Generous pension scheme

Cycle to work

Wedding Leave

Discount portal

Job summary

Dovetail & Slate in Sutton, Surrey, seeks a Functional Skills English Tutor to join the prison education team on-site at HMP High Down. Deliver City & Guilds Functional Skills English from Entry Level 1 to Level 2 in small classes to boost literacy and futures.

You will assess learners, plan ILPs with BKSB, and use digital resources to teach accessibly. Prepare for exams and collaborate with staff to ensure positive outcomes.

Qualifications

• Level 3 English qualification is essential.
• Level 5 teaching qualification preferred; willing to work toward it.
• Experience delivering Functional Skills English in adult learning.
• Strong administrative skills and record keeping.
• Ability to work in a secure environment.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver interactive Functional Skills English lessons for small groups (up to 12 learners).
• Conduct initial assessments and use BKSB to set ILPs and track progression.
• Utilise digital resources to make literacy engaging and accessible.
• Prepare learners for City & Guilds assessments and qualifications.
• Promote literacy and numeracy across the prison environment.
• Collaborate with prison staff and learning teams to achieve learner outcomes.

Skills

English Level 3

Classroom management

Lesson planning

Education

Level 5 teaching qualification (PGCE, Cert Ed, DTLLS, or equivalent)

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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