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Original poster

Functional skills tutor interview

14 replies

Butterfly134 · 04/09/2025 21:33

I left my teaching post after 8 years to try my hand at teaching functional skills to young adults. I have been asked to interview next week for a functional skills tutor role. Do any fellow mumsnetters have any experience of this? I haven’t interviewed in over 8 years and feel a big lack of confidence in my ability to answer questions.

OP posts:
TeenToTwenties · 05/09/2025 05:49

Is this 'functional skills' as in English and Maths at level 1 or 2?
Assuming yes then:

This is based on my recent experience with 19/20 yo DD doing FS Englush with a 1-1 tutor and GCSE maths with the same one a year later.

. How would failure at school impact a student as a young adult. What strategies do you have to overcome this.
. What experience do you have teaching students with SEN

. How would you assess starting ability
. How would you structure the work
. How would you help the student to regain confidence so they could learn and be able to give things a go
. What if a student felt unable to do any additional work out of class
. If a group how would you prevent yhe least able from feeling they were failing yet again
. Do you understand how FS differs from GCSE

Hope this is helpful.

Original poster
Butterfly134 · 05/09/2025 23:01

@TeenToTwentiesthis has been such a help. Thank you so much!

OP posts:
TeenToTwenties · 06/09/2025 07:50

Butterfly134 · 05/09/2025 23:01

@TeenToTwentiesthis has been such a help. Thank you so much!

No problem. Good luck!
FS English is so much more accessible than Eng Lang GCSE.
We looked at the FS maths but didn't need to do it in the end.

Beachwalksinwinter · 06/09/2025 07:55

Is this for a Functional Skills tutor in a Further Education College - teaching 16-19 year olds

twistyizzy · 06/09/2025 07:56

I have hired FS tutors in ITPs and my Q have always been competency based around:

  • using IA to create ILPs
  • how to manage disengaged learners
  • how to track and monitor progress and how to take action
  • how to work with occupational tutors to embed FS within Apprenticeship programmes
  • creation of FS resources
  • ability to use online assessment platforms
  • how to manage high caseloads and tight timescales
metalmutha · 06/09/2025 08:02

Work based learning tutor here. We use FS and FS tutors. Look into:

BKSB as an initial assessment and monitoring tool- other platforms may be available, but I've only ever used this.

If the job is for a training provider, think about FS success rates and Quality Achievement Rates and the impact on funding.

If the role is for work based learning AKA apprenticeshis, maybe think about how you can make FS relevant to the qualifications that the students are working towards.

Lots around adjustments and differentiation for EAL and ALSN- although, i'm sure you know this inside out already, as a teacher.

Good luck!

twistyizzy · 06/09/2025 08:03

Sorry forgot to add:

  • oftsred inspection framework
  • new FS requirements
  • upcoming Skills review etc
  • trends in the sector
  • keeping subject specialism up to date
TeenToTwenties · 06/09/2025 08:17

Glad some more employer based input has come your way OP.

Original poster
Butterfly134 · 13/09/2025 15:45

Thank you all for the most helpful advice. The interview wasn’t too bad, they mentioned they will get Back to me shortly about a second interview which will be a micro teach. Crossing my fingers for some positive news. @Beachwalksinwinter@TeenToTwenties@twistyizzy@metalmutha

OP posts:
Original poster
Butterfly134 · 17/09/2025 17:47

Hi all, me again. I have made it to the next stage of the interview which will be a micro teach. I have been asked to conduct a spag session for a leaner who is working towards level 2 English but whose assessments show they are currently working at level 1 as they struggle with spelling, remembering the sequence of things and spend a long time or reading and writing tasks. Any ideas would be helpful. Thanks again Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
Butterfly134 · 18/09/2025 09:21

Butterfly134 · 17/09/2025 17:47

Hi all, me again. I have made it to the next stage of the interview which will be a micro teach. I have been asked to conduct a spag session for a leaner who is working towards level 2 English but whose assessments show they are currently working at level 1 as they struggle with spelling, remembering the sequence of things and spend a long time or reading and writing tasks. Any ideas would be helpful. Thanks again Smile

@Beachwalksinwinter@TeenToTwenties@metalmutha@twistyizzy

OP posts:
twistyizzy · 18/09/2025 09:25

Hi OP
You need to pull together a 10-20 min 1-2-1 micro teach?
I would create a PowerPoint to give an overview of what you would do, a lesson plan and a couple of active learning resources. Involve the interviewers ie get them to do the exercises.

Good luck!

TeenToTwenties · 18/09/2025 12:39

Sorry, no idea on this, I'm just a parent.

Original poster
Butterfly134 · 22/09/2025 11:13

interview was unfortunate all Confused was riddled with technical difficulties that made it near impossible to teach. The panel didn’t seem too helpful and didn’t seem bothered as thy had no questions to ask me at the end. Hoping they give me another opportunity or I know it’s a no to this role. Better get cracking with more applications now

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