Applicant Portal

We at Best Practice Network share the belief that every child, regardless of their background, should benefit from an excellent education. To achieve that, we support and train the educational professionals who work alongside them to be the best they can be, so in turn, they can transform the lives of children and young people.

 

We’re a friendly, DfE accredited, Ofsted outstanding training company providing apprenticeships, professional development and the DfE’s ‘Golden Thread’ (trainee teachers to school Executive Leaders). We are adaptable, collaborative, and genuinely value the work we do to support the education sector, as much as our trainees do.

 

Our people are at the heart of our business and our passion and commitment to education is what drives us. As a result, we have seen incredible growth over the last few years both nationally and internationally.

 

We aim to be an employer where everyone can be themselves, do their best in an inclusive working environment and where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives.

Job Description: Lead Tutor (Route: SEND ITT)

Job Title	Lead Tutor SEND ITT
Reports to	Programme Lead
Works with	Programme Leads, Tutors, Senior Programme & Mentor Lead, Quality & Compliance, Safeguarding, eLearning (Mosaic), Placements/Partnerships, Schools/MATs
Line Management	TBC
Location	UK‑wide (home/hybrid working)
Salary Band	£42,000–£45,000

Context

Best Practice Network (BPN) is a national provider of Initial Teacher Training (ITT), delivering programmes across Primary, Secondary, SEND Specialist and EYITT routes. Our vision is for every child to access an excellent education regardless of background, and our values are to Strive for Excellence, Inspire Learning, Work as a Team and Act with Integrity.

The Lead Tutor role provides essential coordination, leadership and quality assurance across subject, regional or curriculum strands. Lead Tutors ensure consistent delivery, accurate systems data and strong student teacher support, while providing line management to employed tutors, supported by the Programme Lead to ensure effective line management practice.

Role Purpose
To coordinate high‑quality delivery by Tutors, support student teacher progress and placement quality, lead QA activities, and provide supportive line management to a team of employed Tutors and oversees the work of associates in accordance with the requirements of the programme. Lead Tutors ensure consistency, accuracy and excellence across their allocated subject/region, acting as a key link between Tutors and the Programme Lead.

Key Responsibilities

1) Tutor Coordination & Support

• Coordinate and support Tutors within the assigned area (subject, region or curriculum theme).
• Lead regular Tutor briefings to share updates, clarify expectations and develop practice.
• Support Tutors/mentors with Mosaic.
• Provide onboarding and shadowing opportunities for new Tutors.

2) Line Management
Lead Tutors line‑manage up to Employed Tutors, with a focus on support, consistency and day‑to‑day leadership.
Responsibilities include:

• Supportive check‑ins and wellbeing oversight
• Reviewing workload and offering practical guidance
• Providing developmental feedback on QA outputs
• Ensuring Tutor consistency around triads, observations and student teacher feedback
• Early escalation of concerns to Programme Lead

3) Quality Assurance

• Conduct QA checks including attendance, observation records, progress tracking and Tutor feedback.
• Complete and submit QA documentation to QA Leads.
• Support readiness for Ofsted, external moderation and exam board processes.

4) Student teacher & Placement Support

• Support Tutors in managing student teacher progress, placement quality and assessment expectations.
• Respond to placement queries and support completion of placement approval documentation.
• Contribute to high‑quality student teacher experience and early risk identification.

5) Data & Systems Accuracy

• Ensure high‑quality, accurate Mosaic data within their area.
• Maintain compliance and track key indicators (attendance, progress, placements).
• Report data and QA patterns to the Programme Lead.

6) Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a key communication link between Tutors and Programme Leads.
• Engage with schools and MATs regarding placements, observations and triads.
• Ensure schools understand their responsibilities and have access to programme materials.

7) Recruitment & Selection

• Contribute to the recruitment of high‑quality candidates by participating in interviews for prospective ITT applicants.
• Provide expert insight on candidate suitability, drawing on knowledge of programme expectations, curriculum requirements and professional standards.
• Work with Programme Leads and Tutors to ensure a consistent, fair and values‑aligned selection process across routes.
• Promote BPN programmes during applicant engagement activities, supporting strong recruitment outcomes.

Targets / KPIs

• Data Accuracy: ≥98% Mosaic accuracy within area.
• Compliance: All QA checks completed to schedule.
• Tutor Support: Evidenced through QA outputs and Tutor engagement.
• Student teacher Experience: Contribute to ≥90% student teacher satisfaction within area.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications / Experience and Skills	Essential	Desirable
QTS and experience in ITT/teacher development	✔
Strong organisational and communication skills	✔
Ability to provide supportive leadership to Tutors	✔
Experience with QA, assessment or programme delivery	✔
Experience within SEND education sector	✔
Familiarity with Mosaic or equivalent platforms		✔
QA or leadership training/CPD		✔
Attributes	Essential	Desirable
Collaborative, reflective and values‑driven	✔
Strong problem‑solver and communicator	✔
Detail‑focused, reliable and professional	✔

Contract & Working Pattern

• Home/hybrid working with regional travel to centres and placement schools.