Job profile

We’re looking for a creative and practical Furniture Upcycling Teacher to join our prison education team at HMP Forest Bank. If you have experience in furniture restoration, upcycling, joinery, carpentry or wider construction trades, we’d love to hear from you. Step into a rewarding role where your skills can help learners develop confidence, creativity and practical techniques that support rehabilitation, employability and positive progression.

We have a great opportunity available to join Novus Transforming Lives, our prison education provider at HMP Forest Bank, working as a Furniture Upcycling (Multiskills) Teacher. This position is offered on a permanent, full-time basis, working 40hrs per week.

Who are Novus Transforming Lives?

Novus Transforming Lives is a leading UK-based education provider dedicated to delivering high-quality learning and rehabilitation services within the prison system. 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

HMP Forest Bank is located in Pendlebury in Salford, Greater Manchester. The prison is a Category B Male Prison that accommodates remand and sentenced offenders. It offers a diverse range of education opportunities and employment support. Individuals can work towards nationally recognised qualifications. 

Role Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver engaging furniture upcycling sessions that develop learners’ practical skills in restoration, repair, preparation, finishing and creative reuse.
• Use joinery, carpentry or wider construction trade knowledge to support safe workshop practice, tool use and high-quality project-based learning.
• Support learners to build confidence, achieve recognised qualifications and develop transferable skills that aid employability, rehabilitation and positive progression.

• Please also see the attached role profile for an overview of general role responsibilities. Specific details about the individual role are shared during the interview process.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

The following criteria are listed as essential on the role profile. However, there may be options available for applicants with industry experience to start without the qualification, or complete the required qualifications in-post, subject to funding and eligibility conditions.

• Have experience of conducting assessments and supporting learning of individuals and groups (Desirable)
• Have experience of working with groups of learners with a range of abilities (Desirable)
• Have experience of successful working in an effective multi-disciplinary team. (Desirable)
• Have experience creating stimulating, vibrant environments which are conducive to learning and motivational for learners (Desirable)
• Hold a teaching qualification and, where applicable, a relevant subject specialist qualification - with a commitment to obtain the outstanding qualification within 12 months. 
• Hold at least a Level 2 qualification in Literacy and Numeracy
• Have industry experience and/or qualifications in furniture upcycling, furniture restoration, joinery, carpentry or a relevant construction trade (Desirable)
• Achieve performance and quality targets
• Produce accurate and timely reports
• Demonstrate positive team working
• A good track record achieving of quality targets

Benefits

• 31 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays
• 2 hours for wellbeing / personal development per week
• Significant pension contribution (Aviva Auto-Enrolment Pension Scheme)
• Retail Discounts
• Employee Assistance Programme

Safeguarding

Novus Transforming Lives 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 Transforming Lives 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 08/10/2026. However, sometimes the job advert may close early if we receive a good response!