Functional Skills Tutor
New Meaning Centre: NMT High Wycombe
Employer: New Meaning Training (NMT)
Type: Permanent, Full Time, Term-Time Only
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Schedule: Monday to Friday 08:30 – 16:30
Job ref: BUCHWFST072601
Introduction
For some young people, Maths and English can feel like the subjects that have always got in the way. Maybe they’ve been told they’re “not good at it”. Maybe lessons haven’t made sense before. Maybe confidence has taken a knock. At New Meaning Training High Wycombe, Functional Skills is not about dragging young people back through the same experience. It’s about helping them find a way into learning that feels clearer, calmer and more useful.
We’re looking for a Functional Skills Tutor who can deliver English and Maths in a way that meets young people where they are. Someone who can build trust, keep expectations clear, and make learning feel possible again — whether that’s through one-to-one work, small group sessions or practical tasks linked to real life.
You’ll need to be confident teaching Functional Skills up to Level 2 or GCSE level, and comfortable working with young people with SEND and/or SEMH needs. Just as importantly, you’ll need patience, curiosity and the ability to notice what helps each young person take their next step.
Key Responsibilities
· Plan and deliver Functional Skills English and Maths sessions up to and including Level 2 or GCSE level
· Work with young people one-to-one and in small groups
· Create learning activities that are clear, practical and linked to real-life skills
· Build positive, steady relationships with learners
· Support young people who may have SEND and/or SEMH needs
· Adapt sessions to different starting points, learning styles and confidence levels
· Help learners build routine, focus and belief in what they can do
· Embed English and Maths into wider learning and vocational activity
· Support learner onboarding, induction and reviews
· Track learner progress, engagement and next steps clearly
· Maintain accurate records and contribute to learner plans
· Work with colleagues to develop schemes of work, lesson plans and resources
· Respond calmly to behaviour, barriers and changes in engagement
· Support learners as they move through flexible pathways, including home, small group and centre-based learning
· Take part in wider centre activity, team planning and learner support where needed
You will have:
· A qualification in Maths and English
· Experience delivering Functional Skills up to and including Level 2, or GCSE English and Maths
· Experience working with young people with SEND and/or SEMH needs
· Confidence planning and delivering one-to-one and small group sessions
· The ability to create an embedded, practical Functional Skills curriculum
· A calm, consistent and relational approach
· Strong communication and interpersonal skills
· Good time management and self-organisation
· Confidence using Microsoft Office
· Experience developing educational resources
· An understanding that behaviour often has a reason behind it
· The ability to work independently, including lone working and home visits where needed
· A full UK driving licence and access to a business-insured vehicle
· A steady belief that young people can get back on track, even if learning has not worked for them before
About us
New Meaning Training offers education with a difference. We work with young people aged 15–25 who haven’t always had a straightforward experience of education. Some have been misunderstood, some have disengaged, and some are still working out where they fit. What they find here is something steadier — a place where there’s time to settle in, where expectations are clear, and where they’re not judged on what’s gone before.
We now operate across six centres in High Wycombe (our HQ), Milton Keynes, Aylesbury, Reading, Stratford-upon-Avon and Nuneaton, supporting around 320 learners in the 2026–2027 academic year. Across all centres, we offer a growing range of “Introduction to” programmes, with several new courses launching this September. These courses — spanning areas such as Motor Mechanics, Construction, Hair & Beauty, Creative Arts, Computing, Sport, Retail and Hospitality — are designed to give young people the chance to try things out properly, build practical skills, and start to see what they might be good at. Everything is grounded in learning through doing, with a focus on making education feel possible from the start.
Each of our centres has its own rhythm, but there’s a shared way of working across the organisation. Teams are close-knit, supportive, and practical — people step in for each other, share ideas, and keep things moving on days that don’t go to plan (which happens). There’s a steady sense that everyone’s working towards the same thing. There are also moments that don’t feel like a typical education setting at all. From wellbeing activities to calm, flexible approaches to the day, we create an environment where young people can feel settled enough to take part. It’s not a headline feature — it just reflects the kind of place this is.
Alongside our centre-based provision, we run a Transition Support programme for young people with an EHCP who are not yet ready for that environment. This sits separately from our main delivery and is designed to help them move towards their next step at a pace that works for them. Most of the young people we work with are referred through schools, PRUs and SEND services. That means we’re always balancing two things — creating an experience where young people feel understood, while also delivering something clear, structured and trusted by the professionals around them.
We don’t expect things to change overnight. We focus on helping things feel possible again — and building from there.
Why work for New Meaning Training?
Generous annual leave
- 20 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
- Up to 10 additional “gifted” days off each year (taken during school holiday periods)
- Annual leave increases with length of service, up to a maximum of 24 days
Pension
- Auto enrolment into The People’s Pension
- 5% employee contribution with 3% employer contribution
Blue Light Card
- Access to hundreds of national discounts (retail, food, travel, days out)
- Admin fee fully reimbursed by NMT
Service recognition
- Additional annual leave as a thank you for long service
- Gift rewards at key milestones (e.g. 5 and 10 years)
Wellbeing benefits
- Annual flu vaccination voucher (paid for by NMT)
- Birthday gift voucher to celebrate your day
Sustainable travel schemes
- Cycle to Work scheme (salary sacrifice)
- Electric Vehicle scheme via Octopus Energy (salary sacrifice)
- Green Travel to Work initiatives with rewards for taking part
A supportive, values-led workplace
- Strong focus on staff wellbeing, development, and collaboration
- Training and CPD supported as part of your role
- The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in young people’s lives
Safeguarding
New Meaning Training is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and adhere to our safeguarding and professional conduct policies.
- Checks: This post involves regulated activity and is subject to an Enhanced DBS check (including a Children’s Barred List check) and satisfactory professional references.
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA): This role is exempt from the ROA 1974. Applicants must disclose all convictions and cautions that are not ‘protected’ under the Exceptions Order 1975 (as amended 2013 and 2020). For guidance on which offences ar
Pay: £24,784.50-£40,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free flu jabs
- Sick pay
- Store discount
Experience:
- maths and english functional skills teaching: 1 year (preferred)
Work Location: In person
