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
You will be an organised, compassionate and proactive individual with a passion for supporting ESOL learners to achieve their full potential. You will be committed to promoting learner wellbeing, personal development and progression, and will be able to build positive relationships with students from a wide range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
You will have experience of supporting young people and/or vulnerable learners and an understanding of the barriers that can impact participation and achievement. You will be confident in applying trauma-informed approaches whilst maintaining high expectations and aspirations for all learners.
As a strong team player, you will work effectively with curriculum staff, safeguarding colleagues and external agencies to provide coordinated support and positive outcomes for students. Experience of working with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC), looked-after children (LAC), care leavers or other vulnerable groups would be advantageous.
About the role
As tutor you will provide high-quality pastoral, academic and personal development support to ESOL learners, enabling them to achieve their educational goals and progress successfully into further study, training or employment. You will be a key member of a collaborative and caring team, committed to delivering outstanding experiences and outcomes for our ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) students.
The postholder will play a significant role in supporting vulnerable learners, including unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC), looked-after children (LAC), care leavers and other students facing barriers to participation and achievement. You will be an enthusiastic, compassionate and resilient individual who can apply trauma-informed approaches whilst maintaining high expectations and aspirations for all learners.
Working closely with curriculum teams, safeguarding colleagues, social workers, carers and external agencies, you will support learners' attendance, wellbeing, integration, personal development and progression. You will help students develop the confidence, independence and skills needed to succeed in college and beyond, wh
Essential Skills & Experience
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Ability to motivate and support learners to achieve positive outcomes.
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Excellent communication, interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
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Strong organisational and record-keeping skills.
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Excellent digital skills, with the ability to confidently use a range of digital tools and learning technologies to support high-quality learner engagement.
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Experience of supporting young people and/or vulnerable adults in an educational, youth work, social care or community setting.
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Understanding of the barriers faced by ESOL learners and students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
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Knowledge of safeguarding principles and experience of working with vulnerable learners.
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Experience of working collaboratively with external agencies and professionals.
Desirable Skills and Experience
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Experience of working with UASC, refugees, asylum seekers, LAC or care-experienced young people.
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Knowledge of trauma-informed practice.
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Understanding of immigration, resettlement or asylum-related issues affecting learners.
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Experience within ESOL or Further Education.
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Qualification in youth work, education, social care, counselling, mentoring or a related field.
ile fostering a safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment in which every learner can thrive.
Role Responsibilities
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Provide tailored pastoral and progress support to ESOL learners, particularly those who are vulnerable or at risk of disengagement.
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Act as a key point of contact for students requiring enhanced support.
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Work closely with the programme leader and designated teacher to ensure consistent support and communication regarding care-experienced learners.
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Monitor attendance, punctuality, progress and wellbeing, implementing appropriate interventions where concerns arise.
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Support learners to develop confidence, independence, resilience and effective study habits.
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Conduct regular one-to-one progress reviews and develop individual support plans where required.
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Work closely with social workers, personal advisers, foster carers, supported accommodation providers and external agencies to ensure learners receive coordinated support.
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Promote learners' understanding of British values, community participation, citizenship and personal safety.
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Support learners in accessing enrichment opportunities, careers guidance, work experience and progression pathways.
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Contribute to safeguarding and welfare processes, identifying concerns and escalating appropriately in line with college procedures.
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Support learners to overcome barriers associated with language acquisition, cultural transition, trauma, displacement and previous interruptions to education.
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Facilitate activities that promote social integration, wellbeing and a sense of belonging within the college community.
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Maintain accurate records of interventions, learner progress and support activities.
Qualifications
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Level 2 qualifications in English and Mathematics (minimum GCSE Grade C/4 or equivalent)
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Commitment to continuous professional development and maintaining up-to-date professional knowledge
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TEFL, CELTA or equivalent (desirable but not essential for the role)
Essential Skills & Experience
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Ability to motivate and support learners to achieve positive outcomes.
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Excellent communication, interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
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Strong organisational and record-keeping skills.
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Excellent digital skills, with the ability to confidently use a range of digital tools and learning technologies to support high-quality learner engagement.
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Experience of supporting young people and/or vulnerable adults in an educational, youth work, social care or community setting.
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Understanding of the barriers faced by ESOL learners and students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
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Knowledge of safeguarding principles and experience of working with vulnerable learners.
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Experience of working collaboratively with external agencies and professionals.
Desirable Skills and Experience
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Experience of working with UASC, refugees, asylum seekers, LAC or care-experienced young people.
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Knowledge of trauma-informed practice.
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Understanding of immigration, resettlement or asylum-related issues affecting learners.
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Experience within ESOL or Further Education.
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Qualification in youth work, education, social care, counselling, mentoring or a related field.
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.
