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- Tasks: Lead and inspire a dynamic ESOL team to deliver impactful language courses.
- Company: Join a supportive organisation dedicated to community integration and adult education.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holiday, pension, wellbeing support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with occasional travel across Surrey.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in learners' lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Teaching qualification and experience in ESOL Skills for Life required.
The predicted salary is between 29498 - 36873 £ per year.
This role has a starting salary of £29,498.40 per annum for working 28.8 hours per week. The full time equivalent salary is £36,873 per annum. An exciting opportunity has arisen for a driven and enthusiastic ESOL Programme Lead to lead a busy, dynamic, and growing department that delivers ESOL Skills for Life courses. The provision is delivered face‑to‑face during the daytime at our Camberley, Guildford, Molesey, and Sunbury Centres. We also offer remote classes in the evening.
This position is specifically focused on ESOL Skills for Life, which aims to support learners' integration and practical language skills for daily living, rather than EFL (English as a Foreign Language), which is primarily focused on academic or travel purposes. This post will be based at one of our Centres and can be discussed further at interview. Travel within Surrey to our other centres and venues will be required and there will be occasional evening and weekend work.
Our Offer To You
- 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service (prorated for part time staff)
- Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
- A generous local government salary related pension
- Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
- Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
- An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
- Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
- A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents.
About The Role
As an ESOL Programme Lead, you will lead ESOL provision in partnership with another ESOL Programme Lead, fostering a motivated and high-performing team culture built on collaboration, accountability, and shared purpose. Through clear direction and support, you will enable tutors to deliver consistently high standards across both remote and face‑to‑face learning. You will also build strong operational links with Admissions and Exams to ensure accurate learner placement through effective Initial Assessment and the smooth, compliant delivery of Trinity ESOL Skills for Life examinations across Surrey.
You will be responsible for line managing a team of part‑time ESOL tutors. You will champion high‑quality, learner‑centred provision aligned with the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework and the service's Quality Framework. By leading, supporting and challenging tutors, you will drive improvements in teaching, learning and assessment, ensuring consistently positive learner outcomes. You will maintain robust quality assurance processes and ensure all provision meets awarding body requirements. Your experience of organising Trinity ESOL Skills for Life exams and implementing effective assessment practices will underpin strong learner progression and achievement.
Reporting to the Skills and Employability Manager, you will contribute to the strategic planning and development of a responsive ESOL curriculum. You will shape inclusive and aspirational learning programmes that respond to local and national priorities, enabling adult learners across Surrey to develop skills, confidence and independence. With a clear focus on widening participation, you will ensure provision reaches those who need it most and supports progression into further learning, employment and community engagement. Through a commitment to continuous improvement, you will play a key role in raising aspirations, improving outcomes and delivering a meaningful, measurable impact on learners' lives.
Your Application
In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills:
- A recognised teaching qualification and substantial experience teaching ESOL Skills for Life with a strong understanding of adult learning principles
- Proven experience conducting or participating in formal observations of teaching and learning, aligned with the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework
- Demonstrated success in working within an Ofsted‑regulated environment to maintain and enhance high standards of teaching, learning and learner support
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, alongside strong IT proficiency to support teaching, planning and quality assurance
- Experience in marking and internal verification (IV) of vocational qualifications, ensuring compliance with awarding body standards and supporting learner achievement
Surrey has both urban and rural areas and workers will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK and access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long‑term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.
To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 4 questions:
- Please describe your experience teaching adults in ESOL Skills for Life. Include details of the types of learners you have taught and the outcomes achieved.
- Tell us about your experience of planning, developing and managing learning programme(s) in ESOL Skills for Life. Include how you ensured the programme(s) met learner needs and organisational targets. What was the impact of your approach?
- Tell us about your experience of observing teaching, learning and assessment. Please include strategies you have used to support tutors to improve their delivery and the result.
- Describe how you have led or supported a team of tutors, learning assistants or volunteers to deliver high quality adult education provision. How did you ensure the provision was responsive to learner needs and aligned with post‑19 learning priorities?
The job advert closes at 23:59 on Sunday 7th June 2026 with interviews planned to follow on Thursday 11th June 2026. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our learners and expect all staff to share this commitment. A DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check is required for this role and will be discussed further at interview. Online searches may be carried out on applicants who are shortlisted for interview.
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two‑tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.
Our Commitment
We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview. Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.
ESOL Programme Lead employer: TESOL International Association
Contact Detail:
TESOL International Association Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land ESOL Programme Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the ESOL field, attend relevant events, and engage with online communities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their mission, especially in supporting learners' integration and practical language skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your teaching successes! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've improved learner outcomes in ESOL Skills for Life. Use data or testimonials to back up your claims and demonstrate your impact.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making a difference in the lives of our learners.
We think you need these skills to ace ESOL Programme Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the ESOL Programme Lead role. Highlight your teaching qualifications and experience with ESOL Skills for Life, as well as any relevant achievements that showcase your ability to lead and support a team.
Answer the Questions Thoughtfully: When responding to the application questions, be specific and provide examples from your experience. This is your chance to show us how you've successfully managed learning programmes and supported tutors in delivering high-quality education.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since excellent communication is key for this role, ensure your written application is clear and concise. Use professional language but let your personality shine through – we want to see who you are!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at TESOL International Association
✨Know Your ESOL Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of ESOL Skills for Life. Be ready to discuss your teaching experience, the types of learners you've worked with, and the outcomes you've achieved. This will show that you're not just familiar with the subject but also passionate about helping learners succeed.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an ESOL Programme Lead, you'll be managing a team of tutors. Prepare examples of how you've led or supported a team in the past. Think about specific strategies you've used to improve teaching quality and how you ensured the provision met learner needs. This will demonstrate your capability to foster a high-performing team culture.
✨Be Ready for Practical Scenarios
Expect questions that require you to think on your feet. You might be asked how you'd handle a challenging situation with a learner or how you'd ensure compliance with awarding body standards. Practise articulating your thought process and decision-making skills in these scenarios.
✨Align with Their Values
Familiarise yourself with the organisation's commitment to safeguarding and promoting learner welfare. Be prepared to discuss how you would contribute to creating an inclusive environment and support learners from diverse backgrounds. Showing that you share their values can set you apart from other candidates.