Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Functional Skills Tutor

🎯 Role Definition

The Functional Skills Tutor is a pivotal role focused on planning, delivering, and assessing Functional Skills (English, Maths, and sometimes ICT) for a diverse range of learners, including apprentices, young people, and adult learners. You will be responsible for creating an inclusive and motivating learning environment, tailoring your teaching to individual needs, and guiding learners from their initial assessment through to successful qualification. This position requires a blend of subject expertise, pedagogical skill, and a genuine commitment to learner progression and welfare.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Teaching Assistant / Learning Support Assistant
Vocational Assessor with a desire to teach
Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) or Early Career Teacher (ECT)

Advancement To:

Lead IQA / Internal Verifier
Curriculum Manager / Head of Department
Quality Improvement Manager

Lateral Moves:

End-Point Assessor (EPA)
Corporate Trainer or Learning & Development Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Deliver engaging, differentiated, and high-quality teaching sessions in Functional Skills English and Maths up to Level 2 to diverse groups of learners, both in-person and via remote platforms.
Conduct comprehensive initial assessments and diagnostic evaluations to accurately identify learners' starting points, specific learning needs, and any potential barriers to learning.
Design, develop, and implement bespoke Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) that set SMART targets and map out a clear journey toward learner achievement.
Create and source a wide range of innovative and contextualized learning materials and resources that cater to various learning styles and embed skills in real-world scenarios.
Meticulously monitor, track, and document learner progress, attendance, and retention, providing regular reports to management and relevant stakeholders.
Provide timely, constructive, and motivational feedback on learner work to foster development, build confidence, and guide improvement.
Prepare learners thoroughly for their formal assessments and examinations, including the administration of mock tests and providing targeted revision support.
Effectively manage classroom and workshop dynamics to foster a positive, safe, and respectful learning environment conducive to success.
Collaborate with vocational assessors and employers to seamlessly embed and integrate Functional Skills development within apprenticeship frameworks and workplace contexts.
Maintain accurate, compliant, and audit-ready learner records, portfolios, and e-portfolios in line with funding body (ESFA) and awarding organisation regulations.
Provide tailored support for learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), implementing strategies to ensure they have equal opportunities to succeed.
Act as a primary point of contact for a caseload of learners, providing pastoral support and guidance to keep them engaged and on track toward timely completion.
Stay abreast of all curriculum updates, Ofsted EIF framework changes, and pedagogical best practices through continuous professional development (CPD).
Actively promote and embed British Values, Prevent Duty, Safeguarding, and Equality & Diversity principles within all aspects of teaching and learning.
Utilize a blended learning approach, confidently leveraging Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs), e-learning platforms, and other digital technologies to enhance the learner experience.
Participate actively in team meetings, standardization sessions, and quality assurance processes to contribute to the continuous improvement of the provision.
Guide learners on their future progression routes, offering advice on further education, training, and employment opportunities.
Ensure the integrity of the assessment process by adhering strictly to awarding body standards for invigilation, marking, and internal verification.
Build and maintain strong, professional, and supportive relationships with learners, colleagues, and external partners to ensure a cohesive support network.
Manage administrative duties associated with the role, including learner registration, certification claims, and data entry into management information systems.

Secondary Functions

Support the wider curriculum team with the integration of Maths and English into vocational subjects.
Contribute to the organisation's quality improvement strategy and self-assessment reports (SAR).
Collaborate with employers and apprenticeship teams to align functional skills delivery with workplace requirements.
Participate in open days, recruitment events, and learner induction programmes to promote the organisation's offerings.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

A recognised teaching qualification (e.g., PGCE, CertEd, AET, DET).
Assessor qualification (e.g., CAVA, TAQA) is highly desirable.
Subject-specialist qualifications in English (Literacy) and/or Maths (Numeracy) at Level 3 or above.
Proven experience delivering Functional Skills or GCSEs in a post-16, FE, or work-based learning setting.
Strong proficiency in using IT systems, including Microsoft Office 365, VLEs (e.g., Moodle, Canvas), and e-portfolio platforms (e.g., OneFile, Smart Assessor).
In-depth knowledge of the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework (EIF) and awarding body requirements (e.g., City & Guilds, Pearson, NCFE).
Experience conducting initial and diagnostic assessments to inform learning plans.

Soft Skills

Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and build rapport with learners from all backgrounds.
High levels of patience, empathy, and resilience, particularly when supporting learners facing challenges.
Outstanding organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage a caseload and meet deadlines.
A natural ability to motivate, inspire, and build the confidence of reluctant learners.
Adaptability and creativity in teaching methods to cater to individual and group needs.
Strong problem-solving abilities and a proactive, solution-focused mindset.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

A recognised teaching qualification (e.g., Level 3 Award in Education and Training - AET) combined with Level 3 or equivalent qualifications in Maths and English.

Preferred Education:

A full teaching qualification (e.g., PGCE, CertEd, DTLLS) and a subject-specialist qualification in Literacy or Numeracy at Level 4/5.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Education & Training
English Language or Literature
Mathematics

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2-5 years of direct experience delivering Functional Skills or GCSE Maths & English to learners aged 16+.

Preferred:

Demonstrable experience working with apprentices, NEETS, or adult learners within a Further Education (FE) college or work-based learning provider. A proven track record of achieving high success rates for learners is highly advantageous.