About the College
Sunderland College has been delivering highly successful courses for more than 20 years and is one of the largest providers of post-16 education in the North East with approximately 14,300 students.
The College has two campuses across the city of Sunderland, offering a wide range of academic and vocational provision for school leavers and adults. The College aims to develop and positively shape lives, communities, and the economy through teaching, learning and development of skills. Our students consistently achieve outstanding results and Sunderland College has been ranked in the top 25% in the country for student achievement rates. In October 2024, we were ranked as Ofsted outstanding, and we are proud of our diverse student and staff community that provide our students with bespoke education pathways to help them achieve their future career goals.
Please see the following link to our 2024 Ofsted Report, in which we were graded as being Outstanding across all areas - Ofsted-Report-Outstanding
Our Journey & Values
As an employer, we prioritise cultivating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, where our staff can thrive and grow. We recognize that our employees are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to investing in their professional development and overall wellbeing.
Taking Teaching Further & Additional Incentives
If you’re making the move into further education teaching, you may be eligible for the Taking Teaching Further (TTF) programme a funded route to help industry professionals retrain as FE teachers.
In addition, for roles in high-need subjects or regions you may also benefit from the government’s targeted retention incentive (formerly “levelling-up premium”) payments, worth up to £6,000 for eligible teachers in their first five years and teaching certain shortage subjects.
Please note eligibility for both TTF and the Targeted Retention Incentive varies by role, subject area and provider, they do not apply to every vacancy.
Find out more about both initiatives through the links below.
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Taking Teaching Further - Taking Teaching Further
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Targeted Retention Incentive - Targeted Retention Incentive
About the Candidate
We are seeking a proactive, compassionate and highly organised Student Progress & Development Tutor who can build strong, trusting relationships with learners while maintaining high expectations for attendance, behaviour, achievement and progression.
The ideal candidate will be an effective communicator and skilled coach, able to motivate young people from diverse backgrounds, set clear goals and deliver timely interventions that remove barriers to learning. They will be resilient, adaptable and confident in managing a large caseload, working collaboratively with curriculum teams, parents/carers and support services to ensure every learner has the best chance to succeed.
In line with our values, they will demonstrate Courage by addressing issues early and advocating for learners, Authenticity by taking responsibility and driving improvement, Respect by creating an inclusive and supportive environment, and Excellence by consistently focusing on progress, outcomes and continuous improvement.
As a changemaker, they will play a pivotal role in improving attendance, retention and achievement, while raising aspirations and supporting progression into employment, further study or training. Through consistent, targeted support and a strong belief in learner potential, they will help transform outcomes and strengthen the student journey across Animal Care & Management.
About the Role
This role is a permanent Student Progress & Development Tutor position supporting learners on Animal Care & Management programmes at Sunderland College. It plays a critical ongoing role in improving student attendance, retention, achievement and progression across the curriculum area.
This is a highly rewarding opportunity to make a direct and visible impact on young people’s lives. The post sits at the heart of the student journey, working closely with curriculum teams, parents/carers and support services to remove barriers to learning and help learners succeed both academically and personally. It offers the chance to shape learner outcomes in a meaningful way, supporting progression into employment, further education or training in the land-based sector.
The role provides strong professional development opportunities, particularly in coaching and mentoring, pastoral leadership, safeguarding, and working with at-risk learners. The successful candidate will develop advanced skills in target setting, behaviour for learning, and supporting personal development in a post-16 setting, with opportunities to contribute to wider college initiatives and progression pathways.
The post also involves regular use of digital tracking and learner management systems such as ProMonitor/eILP tools to monitor progress, set SMART targets and track interventions. This provides valuable experience in using education data systems to drive improvement and support evidence-based decision making, alongside collaboration with a wide range of internal and external partners.
Role Responsibilities
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Deliver 1:1 tutorials and group interventions to support learner progress, attendance, behaviour and personal development
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Monitor and track student performance using ProMonitor/eILP systems, setting SMART targets and reviewing progress regularly
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Identify at-risk learners and implement timely interventions to improve retention, achievement and progression outcomes
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Work closely with curriculum teams, support services and parents/carers to coordinate holistic learner support
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Support learners with employability skills, including CV writing, interview preparation, work experience and progression planning
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Provide pastoral support, safeguarding awareness and signposting to internal and external services where appropriate
Qualifications
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Level 3 or above qualification in a relevant technical area (Animal Care or related field)
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Minimum Level 2 qualifications in English and Maths
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Experience of working with young people in group or educational settings
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Experience of working within a relevant technical or vocational area (Animal Care or related)
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Strong written and verbal communication skills
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Ability to use digital tools and systems to track, record and support learner progress
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Full suitability to work with children and young people (DBS clearance required)
Essential Skills & Experience
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Experience working with young people (16–18) in an educational, training or pastoral support setting
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Ability to build positive, trusting relationships and motivate learners from a wide range of backgrounds
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Experience supporting learner progress, including monitoring attendance, behaviour, achievement or personal development
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Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with staff, learners and parents/carers
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Ability to work effectively as part of a team within a curriculum or student support environment
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Experience of planning, setting and reviewing targets or action plans to support learner success
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Ability to manage a caseload and prioritise workload effectively to meet deadlines
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Confidence using digital systems (e.g. eILP/ProMonitor or similar) to track and record learner progress
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Understanding of barriers to learning and strategies to support learner engagement and retention
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Commitment to safeguarding, promoting wellbeing, and maintaining professional standards in a post-16 setting
Desirable Skills & Experience – (Optional)
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Experience working in a post-16 education setting (FE college or similar)
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Experience in a coaching, mentoring or tutorial-based role supporting learner development
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Knowledge of vocational or land-based education (e.g. Animal Care or related sectors)
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Experience supporting learners with work experience, employability skills or progression planning (e.g. UCAS applications)
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Familiarity with supporting learners with additional learning needs or those at risk of underachievement
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Experience using learner tracking systems (e.g. ProMonitor, eILP or similar platforms)
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Understanding of English and maths development within vocational study programmes
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Experience working with external agencies and support services to support learner outcomes
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Coaching or mentoring qualification (or willingness to work towards one)
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First Aid qualification (or willingness to achieve)
What’s in it for you?
Join EPNE and you’ll be part of a culture that prioritises your development and wellbeing, which is why all employees receive an extensive benefits package.
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Enjoy a generous holiday allowance ranging between 35-48 days per year, plus public holidays - (Excluding Term Time Only contracts)
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Generous family leave and flexible working options (dependent on role)
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LGPS or Teacher Pensions Scheme - depending on role
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Access to myLifestyle benefits platform providing retail discounts and more.
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We offer dental, eye care & health cash plans.
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Extensive wellbeing support through a digital Wellbeing Hub that offers a broad range of support for physical, mental, and financial wellbeing.
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Free parking on most campuses.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion
At Education Partnership North East (EPNE), we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences. We know that diverse perspectives strengthen our teams to enhance the education and support we provide to our learners and communities.
We recognise that talented individuals may not always follow a traditional career path and may hesitate to apply unless they meet every requirement. If you are excited about the role and believe you can make a positive contribution, we encourage you to apply.
As a Disability Confident Employer and Armed Forces Covenant Member, and with Ofsted Outstanding status across all campuses, we are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and high-performing environment where everyone can thrive.
Due to the nature of this post, you will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure Check.
We believe in equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
We are committed to PREVENT and safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.
Please contact (Georgina Johnstone, [email protected]) should you wish to have an informal chat about the role.
