English Instructor

Education
West Lothian
July 25, 2026
Permanent
Urgent

Job Description

English Instructor – HMP Addiewell

Help change lives through education.

We are seeking a dedicated and inspiring English Instructor to deliver high-quality English and literacy education at HMP Addiewell. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference by helping individuals develop the skills, confidence and qualifications they need to build a more positive future.

Working within a secure custodial environment, you will support learners from diverse backgrounds and with a wide range of abilities to improve their literacy, communication and employability skills. Through education, you will help individuals overcome barriers, prepare for life after custody and take important steps towards rehabilitation and resettlement.

At HMP Addiewell, education plays a vital role in helping people change direction. Every lesson, conversation and achievement can contribute to building confidence, improving opportunities and supporting positive futures.

The Role

As an English Instructor, you will plan, deliver and assess engaging English and ESOL lessons that meet the needs of adult learners. You will use inclusive, learner-centred approaches to support progress, build confidence and help learners achieve recognised qualifications.

You will work closely with education colleagues, prison staff and external partners to monitor learner development, support sentence planning objectives and ensure learners are prepared for further education, employment and successful resettlement.

Key Responsibilities

  • Deliver engaging English, literacy and ESOL lessons tailored to learners’ abilities, needs and goals.
  • Plan, prepare and assess learning programmes aligned with relevant curriculum frameworks, including Functional Skills English, ESOL Entry Levels and appropriate English/reading assessments.
  • Differentiate teaching approaches to support a wide range of abilities, additional learning needs and learning styles.
  • Use a variety of teaching strategies, including group learning, one-to-one support and contextualised learning.
  • Assess learner progress, maintain accurate records and contribute to individual learning plans and progress reviews.
  • Prepare learners for assessments and support achievement of recognised qualifications.
  • Work collaboratively with colleagues, prison staff, allocation teams and awarding bodies to improve learner outcomes.
  • Promote education opportunities, encourage engagement and support recruitment of learners into programmes.
  • Ensure compliance with quality assurance, safeguarding, assessment and testing requirements.
  • Support rehabilitation by developing transferable skills that improve employability, independence and reduce barriers to successful resettlement.
  • Be available to work scheduled evenings and weekends when required.

About You

You will be a committed educator who understands the positive impact education can have on people’s lives. You will be patient, resilient and able to build effective relationships while maintaining professional boundaries within a secure environment.

Qualifications

You will have:

  • Experience working in a teaching, training or learning environment.
  • Experience delivering English, literacy and/or ESOL education.
  • A recognised teaching qualification, such as:
    • TQFE
    • PGDE
    • Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (DET)
    • SCQF Level 7 qualification in teaching, education or learning and development
  • The ability and commitment to work towards a recognised teaching qualification within 18 months if not already achieved.
  • Subject expertise in English and/or ESOL.
  • Strong organisational skills, including planning, assessment and learner progress tracking.
  • The ability to adapt teaching styles to meet different learning needs.
  • A commitment to supporting rehabilitation and resettlement.

Desirable experience

  • ESOL qualifications such as CELTA, DELTA or an ESOL subject specialism.
  • Experience supporting learners with additional needs, including SEND or neurodiversity.
  • Experience working with learners who have experienced barriers to education or challenging circumstances.

Package Description

£28,900 – rising to £30,144 after successful probation

In addition, we offer 20+ Sodexo benefits such as Sodexo retirement plan, discounts to over 1,900 brands to shop online, Gym discount to maintain a healthy lifestyle, a confidential 24/7 employee assistance programme providing independent support to overcome whenever life has its obstacles including emotional support, legal and financial advice.

For further details regarding our Sodexo benefits please see attached.

Location

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