ESSENTIAL SKILLS TRAINER            

Applicants:

• Must hold relevant tecahing qualification at Level 4 or working towards such a qualification.(See details below)
  
• Must have a minimum of 3 years experience in a full time capacity or 5 years in a part-time capacity for teaching Adult Literacy/Numeracy.
  
• Must have GCSE English and Maths (Grade A*-C)

 Salary  £18540.00  p.a

*       *        *        *        *        *         *         *        *

For your Information:

DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING NI.

POLICY No: ES02/04

TUTOR EDUCATION POLICY

1.                  Circular ES02/04 Essential Skills Tutor Education Policy issued in June 2004 and outlined the qualification requirements for new and existing tutors of Essential Skills in whatever setting.

2.                  It is necessary to issue an addendum to the circular to provide clarification on:

(i)                 the requirement in Table A for new tutors to hold a teaching qualification at Level 4 or above; and

(ii)               the options in Tables B and D regarding qualifications that entitle the bearer to teach in Primary Schools in Northern Ireland.

Revised tables are shown at Annex A with the amendments in bold italics.

3.                  The application form for exemption from the requirements of Table D has also been amended to show the correct details regarding experience in teaching Essential Skills.  In addition to Qualified Teacher Status, applicants must have within in the past 7 years experience of teaching adult literacy/communication and/or adult numeracy/application of number for a minimum of 3 years in a full time capacity, or 5 years in a part time capacity.  The revised form is shown at Annex B.  Those applying for exemption are asked to ensure that all sections of the form are completed.  Following the issue of this addendum, applicants will also be required to forward original certificates confirming details of qualifications held.  These will be returned to applicants. Certificates must be sent to the Department by Recorded Delivery and will be returned to the applicants by the same method.

4.                  The qualifications requirements set out in the circular are the minimum qualifications set by the Department.  Employers may request new appointees to demonstrate a higher level of qualification and/or experience.

Annex A

New Tutors must meet the requirements in Tables A and B

Table A: each of the criteria a – c must be met

Table A – Mandatory General and Teaching Qualifications

a.                   GCSE English (Grade A*-C) or Key Skill Level 2 in Communication **

b.                  GCSE Mathematics (Grade A*-C) or Key Skill Level 2 in Application of Number;**

c.                  A teaching qualification as follows:           i         the Queen’s University of Belfast Diploma in the Teaching and Management of Literacy or Numeracy and Essential Skills; or       ii        any qualification that meets the Further Education National Training Organisation (FENTO) specification (level 4) in teaching and supporting learning in Further Education; or     iii        any other qualification that allows the bearer to teach in Northern Ireland (i.e the bearer will be in possession of a Teacher’s Reference Number from Department of Education Northern Ireland)

NOTE **   The Department will consider Level 2 equivalent qualifications in English and Mathematics other than those listed at a. and b. above.

One qualification from Table B must be met (ie either a, b, or c)

Table B – Subject Specific Qualification

a.      For those who intend to teach Literacy – a qualification that meets the FENTO subject specification at Level 4 in Literacy. For those who intend to teach Numeracy – a qualification that meets the (FENTO) subject specification at Level 4 in Numeracy.

b.     For those who intend to teach Literacy – a degree in English (or a degree which majors in English). For those who intend to teach Numeracy – a degree in mathematics (or a degree which majors in mathematics).

c.      A teaching qualification acceptable in Northern Ireland, in which the teaching of English and/or mathematics at Primary level (key stage 1 and 2) has been a major focus.

It is recommended that all tutors complete relevant in-service training on the Literacy or Numeracy Core Curriculum

Existing Tutors

Existing Tutors are those who have qualified before 1 September 2004 and meet all the criteria listed in table C and one of those listed in Table D.

Table C – Mandatory General Qualifications

a.      GCSE English (Grade A*-C) or Key Skill Level 2 in Communication **

b.     GCSE Mathematics (Grade A*-C) or Key Skill Level 2 in Application of Number;**

NOTE **   The Department will consider Level 2 equivalent qualifications in English and Mathematics other than those listed above.

Table D – Subject Specific and Teaching Qualifications

a.      A City & Guilds 9285 Level 3 or Level 4

b.     Diploma in Teaching Adult Basic Skills awarded by The Royal Society Arts

c.      Certificate or Diploma in the Teaching and Management of Literacy/Numeracy and Essential Skills awarded by Queen’s University

d.     Any qualification that meets the (FENTO) subject specification at Level 4 in either Literacy or Numeracy.

e.      For those who intend to teach Literacy – a degree in English (or a degree which majors in English) and a teaching qualification.  The teaching qualification should meet the FENTO specifications or allow the bearer to teach in a school or further education college in Northern Ireland and hold a Teacher Reference Number allocated by the Department of Education. ____________________________________________________________ f.        For those who intend to teach Numeracy – a degree in Mathematics (or a degree that majors in mathematics) and a teaching qualification.  The teaching qualification should meet the FENTO specifications or allow the bearer to teach in a school or further education college in Northern Ireland and hold a Teacher Reference Number allocated by the Department of Education.

g.     A teaching qualification acceptable in Northern Ireland, in which the teaching of English and/or mathematics at Primary level (key stage 1 and 2) has been a major focus.

It is also recommended that all tutors complete relevant in-service training on the Literacy or Numeracy Core Curriculum.   Tutors who have enrolled on a FENTO approved subject specification Level 4 course before 1^st September 2004 should meet the requirements for existing tutors, but are not eligible to teach unsupervised until successful completion of their course.  Courses must be completed by 31 August 2005.