External Quality Assurer for ESOL South Coast

External Quality Assurer for ESOL South Coast Overview

Ascentis is seeking an External Quality Assurer for its ESOL provision in the South Coast region. This is a fully remote, fixed-term position paid at £33.75 per hour, with the contract renewed annually. Although the role is remote, it is not home-only in practice, as you will need to travel to centres across the South Coast for verification activity and quality assurance visits. The number of hours worked will change according to business requirements, and the organisation would ideally like someone who can commit to at least 30 days of work per academic year, running from 1 August to 31 July.

About the organisation

Ascentis describes itself as one of the UK’s leading educational charity organisations. Its work spans an awarding organisation, dyslexia intervention software, and online training. The group says it is growing in the UK and internationally, and it highlights its strong position in the education sector, particularly in ESOL and Access. It is based in Lancaster but operates nationally, with a significant presence in London. The organisation also notes recent recognition at the FAB 2024 Awards, where it received awards for Innovation of the Year and Awarding Organisation of the Year.

The company emphasises that it values difference and diversity across its workforce and states that it is an equal opportunities employer. It says applicants and employees should not be treated less favourably because of gender, age, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marital status or race, and that any conditions or requirements must be justifiable.

What the role involves

In this position, you will be part of Ascentis’ External Quality Assurance team and will help ensure that qualifications are being delivered to the required standard in centres. The role is focused on ESOL, specifically ESOL Skills for Life verification, including visits to centres on site.

• Apply Ascentis’ external quality assurance approach to the qualifications assigned to you each year.
• Carry out centre visits to check that the necessary standards for resources, staffing and systems are in place to support delivery, assessment and award of qualifications.
• Undertake annual quality assurance review visits to centres.
• Deliver training to centres within your subject area when required.
• Take part in compulsory training and standardisation activities run by Ascentis, including central events and accompanied visits.
• Give ongoing support, advice and guidance to the centres you are responsible for.
• Stay informed about developments in the relevant subject and sector.

Who the organisation is looking for

Ascentis is looking for an enthusiastic and committed professional who can contribute to the quality assurance of its ESOL qualifications. For the ESOL Skills for Life post, the successful candidate must have direct experience of teaching, assessing and verifying ESOL Skills for Life qualifications.

• Degree-level qualification, or an equivalent qualification.
• Teaching qualification and relevant experience in ESOL Skills for Life.
• Background in adult, further or higher education.
• Clear understanding of curriculum content in the subject area.
• Practical experience of internal and external quality assurance.
• Strong communication skills, both written and spoken, plus good interpersonal skills.
• Confident IT user who can work across different systems and platforms, including Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, SharePoint and internal awarding organisation databases.
• Ability to work accurately to deadlines.
• A customer-oriented mindset.
• Based in the South Coast area so that centre visits and verification work can be carried out there.

Additional information

The advert says that interested candidates can contact Joanne Percival, Head of Awarding and Quality Assurance, by email for further discussion about the role. It also notes that Ascentis may close the vacancy early if it appoints someone quickly or receives a large number of applications. The organisation also points applicants to its website for other vacancies.

Benefits and perks

• Competitive pension provision, including a salary sacrifice arrangement.
• Access to a wide range of modern office and break facilities, including leisure and wellbeing spaces such as a pool table, Xbox, outdoor seating, a dressing room with hair dryers, straighteners and airers, shower facilities, a Harry Potter reading room and an employee library.
• Free parking.
• Electric vehicle charging points.
• Secure bike storage.
• Free eye tests.
• Annual flu vaccination vouchers.

How to apply

Applicants are invited to apply through the job advert. For more information about the post, the advert directs candidates to contact Joanne Percival, Head of Awarding and Quality Assurance, by email at the address provided in the listing.

Degree Requirement: Bachelor’s

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