Job profile

Are you passionate about inspiring learners in custody to build the confidence, resilience, and practical skills they need to shape a brighter future? We’re looking for a creative, dedicated, learner-focused and enthusiastic Transitional Skills Teacher to join our vibrant prison education team. In this role, you’ll deliver engaging, learner-centred sessions which support and encourage personal growth, employability, independence and effective rehabilitation. If you’re committed to making a meaningful difference and helping learners to develop the skills they need to reach their full potential, we want to hear from you!

We have a great opportunity available to join Novus, our prison education provider at HMP Swinfen Hall, working as a Transitional Skills/Personal and Social Development (PSD) Teacher. This role is offered on a permanent, full-time basis, working 37 hours per week.

Who are Novus?

Novus are a leading provider of prison education and have been supporting men, women, and children of all ages for over 30 years across the UK to take new directions. We are also part of the LTE group of companies that include The Manchester College, MOL, Total People, UCEN, and LTE Group Operations. We are currently rated “Good” by Ofsted and have partnerships with over 1000 industry and employer partners, ensuring our learners secure their place as the movers and shakers of the future. Our business is growing year on year due to our continued success as a leading provider in prison education.

Site Information

At Novus, we believe education transforms lives. You will become part of a dedicated team committed to helping learners develop the skills, confidence and aspirations needed to create positive futures.

HMP Swinfen Hall is a category C prison for young adult and adult men located near the village of Swinfen and is situated 2 miles south of Lichfield in Staffordshire. The key aim of the prison is to provide education, vocational training, and comprehensive support services to prepare inmates for a successful reintegration into society.

Role Responsibilities

This exciting role is central to supporting learners as they develop the personal, social, academic and employability skills required to progress successfully into further learning, vocational training and employment.

The successful candidate will deliver a broad and engaging curriculum designed to build confidence, resilience, independence and effective study skills. Working with learners at a range of abilities, you will support progression through structured learning programmes that prepares individuals for successful reintegration and lifelong learning.

General duties:

• Deliver and assess a range of Transitional Skills and Personal Development programmes.
• Support learners undertaking lower-level distance learning and higher-level progression activities.
• Develop learners' personal, social and employability skills.
• Monitor learner progress and provide timely feedback to learners.
• Promote a positive and inclusive learning environment.
• Contribute to the achievement of departmental and organisational targets.
• Facilitate engaging sessions covering:
  • Personal Learning Skills
  • Improving Own Learning and Performance
  • Using Learning Goals and Targets for Progress
  • Group and Teamwork Communication Skills
  • Critical Thinking Skills
  • Research Skills
  • Evaluating Sources, Evidence and Arguments
  • Referencing and Academic Integrity
  • Progression to Further Learning
  • Presenting and Reviewing a Personal Progression Portfolio

A full role profile containing an overview of general role responsibilities and more is available to download after you click Apply. Specific details of the role are also shared during the interview process.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

To be successful in this role, you will need to:

• Be passionate about supporting learners to achieve their potential.
• Be committed to safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Hold or be willing to work towards a recognised teaching qualification within 12 months
• Hold a relevant subject specialist qualification, or have experience of delivering education, training or personal development programmes
• Hold a Level 2 qualification in Literacy and Numeracy.

• Demonstrate understanding, or have experience in, creating stimulating, vibrant environments which are conducive to learning and motivational for learners
• Have a good previous track record of achieving quality targets and engaging in positive team working
• Produce accurate and timely reports
• Demonstrate effective interpersonal and communication skills
• Have an ability to motivate and enthuse learners from diverse backgrounds in the subject matter
• Demonstrate good organisational skills and administrative skills to prioritise workload and meet deadlines/targets

Benefits

• 40 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays
• 2 hours for wellbeing / personal development per week
• Significant Pension contributions (Teacher’s pension)
• Retail Discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Cycle to work scheme

Safeguarding

The LTE Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All applicants will be required to undergo an appropriate DBS check via the Criminal Records Bureau and may be subject to additional online checks as part of our pre-screening process. Some roles are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and would require an Enhanced DBS check.

Equal Opportunities Statement

Novus is committed to providing an environment where everyone is valued as an individual and where learners and colleagues can work, learn, flourish and develop their skills and knowledge in an atmosphere of dignity and respect. We are committed to working in an inclusive way with all the communities in which we are geographically located and to developing a workforce and learner community that reflects the UK’s rich diversity and vibrancy.

The closing date for this job advert is 03/09/2026. However, sometimes the job advert may close early if we receive a good response!