Part-time teaching in Further Education
Further Education (FE) offers a unique opportunity to share your skills without leaving your current career. The sector relies on industry professionals working flexibly, often on a part-time or "sessional" basis.
Whether you are looking to top up your income, gain classroom experience, or fit work around personal commitments, there is a wide variety of roles available. From teaching vocational workshops to providing one-to-one academic support, you can make a real impact on your own terms.
Flexible teaching and lecturing roles
Sessional Lecturers
Many colleges hire "sessional" staff to teach specific modules or workshops. This is ideal for professionals in industries like construction, engineering, digital, or healthcare who want to stay active in their field while teaching the next generation.
- Flexibility: Contracts are often hourly-paid, allowing you to teach during the day, evenings, or even weekends.
- Industry impact: You bring up-to-the-minute knowledge directly from the workplace to the classroom.
- Remote options: Some courses, particularly in digital or business subjects, may offer online teaching opportunities.
Academic and Specialist Tutors
Tutoring roles focus on providing targeted support to students who need extra help to succeed. These roles often involve working with individuals or small groups rather than leading a full class.
- Academic Tutors: Specialise in core subjects like English and Maths (GCSE or Functional Skills), helping students grasp fundamental concepts.
- SEND Specialists: Provide tailored support for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), ensuring learning materials are accessible.
- Achievement Tutors: Focus on holistic progress, helping students develop study skills, employability traits, and personal confidence.
Support Roles
If you are not ready to lead a class, there are vital support roles that are perfect for gaining experience in the sector.
- Learning Support Assistants (LSAs): Work alongside the main teacher in the classroom, assisting students with coursework and managing behaviour.
- Assessors and Trainers: Also called Learning Coaches. Visit students in their workplaces (for apprenticeships) or in college workshops to assess their practical skills against vocational standards mostly in a 1:1 capacity or in small groups. This is a great route for those with strong technical experience but no teaching background.
- Instructors and Technicians: Teach technical knowledge and skills to groups of students.
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Why choose a part-time FE role?
Part-time roles in FE are highly valued. They allow you to build a "portfolio career," earning a competitive hourly rate while maintaining your other professional interests.
Crucially, you do not usually need a teaching qualification to start. Many colleges will support you to train on the job, often funding qualifications like a Level 3 Award in Education and Training or a Level 5 Diploma. It is a low-risk way to test if a career in education is right for you while developing valuable coaching and communication skills.