Lead Tutor / Teaching & Learning Observer

The English Lead Tutor plays a pivotal role in shaping high-quality English provision across Surrey Adult Learning. Combining teaching with curriculum leadership and quality improvement, you will deliver and support excellence across GCSE English Language, Functional Skills English, and English Skills Awards. You will plan and deliver engaging, inclusive teaching and assessment that supports adult learners to achieve and progress. Alongside your teaching, you will lead on improving teaching practice through Informal Class Visits (ICVs) and Observations of Teaching, Learning and Assessment (OTLAs), providing constructive feedback, coaching and mentoring to tutors. A key focus of the role is ensuring consistency and compliance across provision. You will lead Internal Verification (IV) and standardisation processes, maintaining robust assessment practices aligned with awarding body requirements. You will also contribute to curriculum development, resource creation and wider quality improvement activity, working closely with curriculum and quality teams to support learner outcomes and inspection readiness. While the role does not include formal line management, you will provide professional leadership and guidance to a team of English bank tutors, promoting consistency in delivery, assessment and communication across the curriculum area. Over the next 12-18 months, you will play a central role in strengthening the quality and consistency of English provision. This includes embedding effective observation and mentoring approaches, enhancing verification and standardisation processes, and improving learner achievement, retention and progression. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact-both on learner outcomes and on the development of a confident, collaborative and high-performing tutor team-while contributing to wider organisational priorities around quality, curriculum excellence and continuous improvement. Your key responsibilities as a Lead Tutor/Teaching & Learning Observer will include:

• Delivering high-quality teaching and assessment across GCSE English Language, Functional Skills and English Skills Awards
• Leading and carrying out ICVs and OTLAs, providing clear, supportive feedback to improve teaching practice
• Mentoring and coaching English tutors, fostering a culture of collaboration, consistency and continuous improvement
• Overseeing Internal Verification and standardisation activities, ensuring compliance and consistency across assessment decisions
• Contributing to curriculum development, resource design and quality improvement initiatives
• Supporting inspection readiness and quality assurance processes, driving improvements in learner achievement, retention and progression
  
  A recognised teaching qualification, with substantial experience teaching GCSE English Language and Functional Skills English (up to Level 2) to adults, and a strong understanding of adult learning principles
• Experience of conducting or participating in formal observations of teaching and learning, aligned to the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework
• A strong track record of working within an Ofsted-regulated environment to maintain and improve standards of teaching, learning and learner support
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal), alongside strong IT skills to support teaching, planning and quality assurance activity
• Experience of marking and Internal Verification (IV), ensuring compliance with awarding body requirements and supporting learner success
Surrey has both urban and rural areas and candidates will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel when required. 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. A basic DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check will be required for this role. This role is subject to an online / social media check as part of our safer recruitment processes, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance. To apply, we request that you submit a CV and answer the following 4 questions: 1. Please describe your experience of teaching adults in one or more of the following areas: GCSE English Language and Functional Skills English up to Level 2. Please include details of the types of learners you have taught and the outcomes achieved. 2. Please tell us about your experience of planning, developing and managing learning programmes in GCSE English Language and Functional Skills English. Include how you ensured the programme met learner needs and organisational targets? What was the impact of your approach? 3. Please 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? 4. Please tell us about your experience in marking and internal verification (IV) of vocational qualifications, ensuring compliance with awarding body standards and supporting learner achievement. Please include details of the awarding organisations you have internally verified for.

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. Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents! Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council. Our Commitment

The starting salary for this permanent, part-time position is £22,123 per annum based on working 21.60 hours per week, pro-rata £36,873 per annum. We are excited to be hiring a Lead Tutor/Teaching & Learning Observer to join our fantastic Surrey Adult Learning service! This role will be based at one of the Surrey Adult Learning centres in either: Guildford, Camberley, Farnham, Woking, Esher Green, Sunbury or Molesey. This can be discussed further at interview. Travel within Surrey to other centres and venues will be required and there will be some, 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
• 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