ESOL Programme Lead in London

ESOL Programme Lead in London

London Full-Time 29498 - 36873 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
TESOL International Association

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and inspire a dynamic ESOL team to deliver impactful language courses.
  • Company: Join a supportive organisation dedicated to community learning and development.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 26 days holiday, pension scheme, and wellbeing support.
  • Other info: Opportunities for professional growth and a chance to shape inclusive learning.
  • 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 and 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...

ESOL Programme Lead in London employer: TESOL International Association

As an ESOL Programme Lead, you will join a supportive and dynamic team dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the lives of adult learners in Surrey. Our organisation offers a generous benefits package, including up to 31 days of annual leave, professional development opportunities, and a strong commitment to employee wellbeing. With a focus on collaboration and continuous improvement, we foster a culture that values innovation and inclusivity, ensuring that you can thrive in your role while contributing to the community.
TESOL International Association

Contact Detail:

TESOL International Association Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land ESOL Programme Lead in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the ESOL field and let them know you're on the hunt for a new role. 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 those interviews! Research the organisation and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. Practise answering common interview questions, especially around teaching and learner outcomes, so you can showcase your skills confidently.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your passion for ESOL! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've made a difference in learners' lives. Highlight your commitment to high-quality, learner-centred provision and how you’ve driven improvements in teaching and assessment.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making a real impact in the community.

We think you need these skills to ace ESOL Programme Lead in London

Teaching Qualification
Experience in ESOL Skills for Life
Understanding of Adult Learning Principles
Formal Observations of Teaching and Learning
Knowledge of Ofsted Education Inspection Framework
Communication Skills
IT Proficiency
Marking and Internal Verification (IV)
Compliance with Awarding Body Standards
Programme Planning and Development
Team Leadership
Responsive Provision Design
Driving Licence
Willingness to Travel

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 made an impact in previous roles, so don’t hold back!

Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since excellent written communication is key for this role, ensure your application is clear, concise, and free of errors. Use professional language but keep it friendly – we want to see your personality shine through!

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our organisation there.

How to prepare for a job interview at TESOL International Association

✨Know Your ESOL Inside Out

Make sure you have a solid understanding of ESOL Skills for Life and how it differs from EFL. 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 passionate about it.

✨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. Highlight specific strategies you've used to improve teaching quality and learner outcomes, as 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

Research the organisation's commitment to safeguarding and promoting learner welfare. Be prepared to discuss how your values align with theirs, especially regarding inclusivity and community engagement. Showing that you share their mission can set you apart from other candidates.

ESOL Programme Lead in London
TESOL International Association
Location: London

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