Lead Tutor - English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) in Coventry

About the Service

We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, accepting of all, and free from discrimination and bias. The Adult Education Service is part of Coventry City Council. We provide a wide range of courses for Coventry residents aged 19+ and much of our provision is targeted at people with the highest levels of need. We offer long courses in English, maths, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), ICT/Digital, and vocational subjects such as Early Years, along with provision for adults with learning disabilities. We also offer a very wide range of short community courses in arts, crafts, music, dance, exercise, fitness, and family learning. In addition, we run a highly supportive study programme for young people. Our work-based learning offer includes Apprenticeships in the following subject areas: Nursery Workers, Teaching Assistants, Leadership/Management, and Customer Care. We also provide courses for adults who are seeking work via the Council's Job Shop. Our main base is at Southfields Old School, CV1 5EJ, with provision delivered at around 25 other sites within Coventry, mostly in areas of highest need.

Our Values

• Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
• Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
• Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
• Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
• Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
• Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.

What is the job role?

We have 2 ESOL Lead Tutor roles available – 1 full-time permanent role and 1 full-time 12-month fixed-term role. We are looking for experienced and passionate Lead Tutors to join our Skills, Employment & Adult Education Service. This is a fantastic opportunity to lead and deliver high-quality English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) adult learning programmes that support learners to achieve their personal, educational, and employment goals. In addition to teaching high-quality ESOL sessions yourself, you’ll lead curriculum delivery, manage a small team of learning support assistants or volunteers, mentor other tutors, coordinate high-quality learner support, assist learners to progress through arranging volunteering placements and enrichment activities, as well as contribute to quality assurance and continuous improvement.

These roles have a particular focus on the area of learner support and inclusion, using learning support assistants, volunteers, and wrap-around support for learners. This will include supporting pre-literate learners, offering information, advice, and guidance to learners, and linking them with agencies in the city who can offer help with issues they may be facing outside the classroom, as well as addressing safeguarding concerns. The roles also have a strong focus on quality through activities such as conducting and coordinating learner feedback through surveys and focus groups, and collating and sharing case studies and good news stories to celebrate learner achievement. You will also lead IQA sessions and contribute to team learning and development.

If you’re committed to inclusive education, have strong ESOL teaching experience and qualifications, and enjoy supporting others to thrive, we’d love to hear from you. Travel between learning sites is standard for the roles. Our delivery is year-round and these are not term-time only roles. ESOL classes run in the morning, afternoon, or evening. All candidates must have the Right to Work in the UK. We are currently not offering sponsorship for this role. This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Who are we looking for?

We are seeking a qualified, skilled, and passionate ESOL tutor wanting to take on a leadership role in delivering and assuring high-quality adult learning programmes across Coventry. You will have relevant teaching and ESOL subject-specific qualifications e.g. Level 4/5 CELTA/TESOL, DTLLS/DET/DIT (ESOL) as well as experience of delivering adult ESOL learning in community settings and strong communication and organisational skills. You will have a strong understanding of adult learning principles, inclusive teaching practices, and curriculum development. You will be confident in planning and delivering engaging sessions, assessing learner progress, and supporting individuals to achieve their goals. You will also play a key role in mentoring tutors, managing Learning Support Assistants or volunteers, gathering feedback from learners, arranging placements and enrichment activities to aid learner progression, and contributing to internal quality assurance processes. Experience in teaching within adult and community learning, using digital platforms, and supporting learners with diverse needs is essential. You should have a good understanding of the barriers to learning which ESOL learners face and the effective information, advice, and guidance that can be offered. Experience of working with pre-literate ESOL learners and learners with diagnosed or suspected additional learning needs and knowledge of effective strategies to support them is crucial. You should also have a commitment to inclusive education and demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding, equity, and continuous improvement.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you’ll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition