ESOL Programme Lead

This role has a starting salary of £29,498.40 per annum for working 28.8 hours per week. The full time equivalent salary is £36,873 per annum.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a driven and enthusiastic ESOL Programme Lead to lead a busy, dynamic, and growing department that delivers ESOL Skills for Life courses. The provision is delivered face-to-face during the daytime at our Camberley, Guildford, Molesey, and Sunbury Centres. We also offer remote classes in the evening. This position is specifically focused on ESOL Skills for Life, which aims to support learners' integration and practical language skills for daily living, rather than EFL (English as a Foreign Language), which is primarily focused on academic or travel purposes.

This post will be based at one of our Centres and can be discussed further at interview. Travel within Surrey to our other centres and venues will be required and there will be 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 (prorated for part time staff)
• 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.

About the Role

As an ESOL Programme Lead, you will lead ESOL provision in partnership with another ESOL Programme Lead, fostering a motivated and high-performing team culture built on collaboration, accountability, and shared purpose. Through clear direction and support, you will enable tutors to deliver consistently high standards across both remote and face-to-face learning. You will also build strong operational links with Admissions and Exams to ensure accurate learner placement through effective Initial Assessment and the smooth, compliant delivery of Trinity ESOL Skills for Life examinations across Surrey. You will be responsible for line managing a team of part-time ESOL tutors.

You will champion high-quality, learner-centred provision aligned with the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework and the service’s Quality Framework. By leading, supporting and challenging tutors, you will drive improvements in teaching, learning and assessment, ensuring consistently positive learner outcomes. You will maintain robust quality assurance processes and ensure all provision meets awarding body requirements. Your experience of organising Trinity ESOL Skills for Life exams and implementing effective assessment practices will underpin strong learner progression and achievement. Reporting to the Skills and Employability Manager, you will contribute to the strategic planning and development of a responsive ESOL curriculum.

You will shape inclusive and aspirational learning programmes that respond to local and national priorities, enabling adult learners across Surrey to develop skills, confidence and independence. With a clear focus on widening participation, you will ensure provision reaches those who need it most and supports progression into further learning, employment and community engagement. Through a commitment to continuous improvement, you will play a key role in raising aspirations, improving outcomes and delivering a meaningful, measurable impact on learners’ lives.

Your Application

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:

• A recognised teaching qualification and substantial experience teaching ESOL Skills for Life with a strong understanding of adult learning principles
• Proven experience conducting or participating in formal observations of teaching and learning, aligned with the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework
• Demonstrated success in working within an Ofsted-regulated environment to maintain and enhance high standards of teaching, learning and learner support
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, alongside strong IT proficiency to support teaching, planning and quality assurance
• Experience in marking and internal verification (IV) of vocational qualifications, ensuring compliance with awarding body standards and supporting learner achievement

Surrey has both urban and rural areas and workers will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK and access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area. 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.

To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 4 questions:

1. Please describe your experience teaching adults in ESOL Skills for Life. Include details of the types of learners you have taught and the outcomes achieved.
2. Tell us about your experience of planning, developing and managing learning programme(s) in ESOL Skills for Life. Include how you ensured the programme(s) met learner needs and organisational targets. What was the impact of your approach?
3. Tell us about your experience of and observing teaching, learning and assessment. Please include strategies you have used to support tutors to improve their delivery and the result.
4. 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?

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description and our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.

Contact Us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment. Please contact Ireni Thalassinos by phone 07791 057349 or via email at ireni.thalassinos@surreycc.gov.uk.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on Sunday 7th June 2026 with interviews planned to follow on Thursday 11th June 2026.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our learners and expect all staff to share this commitment. A DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check is required for this role and will be discussed further at interview. Online searches may be carried out on applicants who are shortlisted for interview.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

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

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we’re committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.