English Lecturer - Functional Skills (hourly paid) in Abingdon

Salary: £28.62 - £37.08 per hour

Hours per week: Variable (up to 2.5)

Working pattern: Thursday (18:30 - 21:00)

Location: Abingdon

Contract type: Fixed term until September 2027

Contract start: October 2026

Oxfordshire Adult Learning is seeking an enthusiastic and learner-focused English Functional Skills Lecturer to join our award‑winning faculty. This role focuses on supporting adult learners (19+) to develop the practical English skills they need to progress in employment, further study, and everyday life. You will deliver Functional Skills English, working with learners who may be rebuilding confidence, returning to learning, or developing essential literacy skills as a stepping stone to future qualifications. Teaching is delivered through a blend of face‑to‑face and online sessions, with typical class sizes of around 18 learners. A structured scheme of work and core resources are provided; however, tutors are expected to plan, adapt, and create engaging lesson materials that meet the needs of individual learners rather than relying solely on centrally produced content.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver engaging Functional Skills English lessons that develop learners’ reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in practical, real‑life contexts.
• Deliver teaching sessions both in person and online, adapting approaches to suit adult learners.
• Create and use a wide range of teaching resources, including digital and interactive tools.
• Support learners to build confidence, independence, and transferable English skills for work and further learning.
• Assess learner progress against Functional Skills standards and provide timely, constructive feedback.
• Deliver tutorials and support learners with individual learning plans and progression goals.
• Maintain accurate learner records and contribute to course administration and quality assurance.
• Promote equality, diversity, inclusion, and a supportive adult‑learning environment.
• Engage in continuous professional development and contribute to team and organisational objectives.

Essential Experience and Skills

• Excellent teaching skills with a strong commitment to adult education.
• Experience teaching English or literacy‑based programmes, ideally including Functional Skills.
• Ability to contextualise English learning to real‑life, work‑related, and personal development scenarios.
• Qualified to degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject.
• Teaching qualification, or a willingness to work towards one.
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and learner wellbeing within an adult‑learning setting.
• Level 2 (or equivalent) literacy and numeracy.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with diverse adult learner groups.
• Skills relevant to tutorial and pastoral learner support.

Desirable Experience

• Experience teaching in a post‑16 or adult education setting.
• Experience supporting learners who may be returning to education or lacking confidence in English.

Training and Development

Any successful candidates will be required to complete a structured training pathway, unless they already hold the relevant qualifications. This includes a two‑week teacher induction, followed by the Award in Education and Training (AET), and then the Level 5 Learning and Skills Teacher (LST) apprenticeship. There is also the option to pursue Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) at a later stage.

Commitment to Diversity and Safeguarding

Abingdon and Witney College is committed to safeguarding and expects all employees to share this commitment. We are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and all appointments are subject to satisfactory clearances including enhanced DBS checks. The college reserves the right to close all applications before the posting closing date.