Milton Keynes College Group is committed to delivering Fairer for Futures for all – our learners, colleagues and our wider communities. We believe our people are the cornerstone of this mission and offer a range of benefits and opportunities to help our staff thrive. 

Q: What does Milton Keynes College Group do? 

At Milton Keynes College Group, we’re best known locally for our FE college. MK College has two campuses – at Chaffron Way in Milton Keynes and in Bletchley – and provides a wide variety of qualifications, from vocational courses and apprenticeships to higher education and professional certificates, along with employability skills and community training. 

MK College also provides education services to 30 prisons across England, with a significant number of our employees supporting our prison learners to improve their skills and their prospects both during their time in prison and upon their release.  

Opening fully to students in September 2023, MK College Group also runs the South Central Institute of Technology (SCIoT) in Bletchley, which provides higher level technical qualifications for a new generation of digital visionaries.  

Q: What roles are available at the College Group? 

Of course, being a provider of vocational education, a large proportion of our roles are centered around teaching our learners – whether on our campuses or in the prisons we work with. A lot of our teaching staff have joined us after working in industry and bring their experience and insights from the world of work to support our learners in excelling in their studies and progressing into employment. We support them with the training and development opportunities they need to excel in their new careers in teaching. 

There are also a wide range of non-teaching roles that are vital to the day-to-day running of the College Group and supporting our Fairer Futures vision. These are across areas including People Services, Student Support, Marketing and Communications, Finance, Admissions, Facilities, Quality, IT Support and Employer Engagement. 

Career Development and Benefits 

Q: What opportunities are there for professional development? 

A: We are dedicated to helping our staff grow and excel. We offer a wide range of professional development options, including in-house teacher training, professional qualifications, and various training courses tailored to your role and career aspirations. Our commitment to your ongoing learning ensures you can reach your full potential within the College Group. 

Q: Are there any employee discounts?  

A: Absolutely! Enjoy fantastic discounts on everything from food and shopping to entertainment with our UNiDAYS and TOTUM memberships. We also have our own Encore platform which offers our colleagues discounts and cashback on a wide range of websites, brands and experiences. These perks are designed to enhance your work-life balance and help you save money. 

Q: How much annual leave do employees get?  

A: We offer a generous holiday allowance of 25 to 35 days pro rata per year, plus bank holidays. This allows you ample time to relax, recharge, and spend quality time with family and friends.  

Q: Are there any childcare services nearby?  

A: Yes, we have a Little Explorers Nursery at our Chaffron Way Campus, rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted. It’s open 51 weeks of the year, providing a nurturing environment for your children. We understand the importance of work-life balance and want to support our employees in every way possible. 

Q: What other benefits does Milton Keynes College Group offer? 

A: We offer a comprehensive benefits package including: 

• Flexible working options (subject to manager approval): Allowing you to balance your work and personal life effectively. 

• Employee wellbeing platform: Providing a host of resources and support to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance. 

• Generous pension scheme: Ensuring your financial security for the future. 

• Discounted services at the Graduate Salon: Helping you look and feel your best with professional grooming services and beauty treatments. 

• Free parking at our college campus sites: Making your commute easier and more convenient. 

• Comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme (24/7): Offering counselling, eldercare support, and referrals for severe illnesses and accidents. 

• Death in Service Plan Benefit: Providing peace of mind for you and your family. 

Q: What does the College Group do to support employees from diverse backgrounds? 

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are more than just words for us. They’re the hard-and-fast principles guiding how we build our teams, cultivate leaders and create an environment that’s the right fit for every person inside of it.  

We’ve been recognised for our work to support employees from a wide range of backgrounds, including Leaders in Diversity accreditation from the National Centre for Diversity. We have also achieved the Silver Awards for the Armed Forces Covenant in recognition of our support for the armed forces communities. 

We’re also very proud of the College Group’s five employee networks: Cultural Diversity, Disability, LGBTQ, Women’s and Men’s. These networks aim to provide a safe space for discussion of issues, help to raise awareness of important issues and provide a source of support for individual staff who may be facing challenges at work. 

Living and Working in Milton Keynes 

Q: What’s it like living and working in Milton Keynes?  

A: Milton Keynes offers a fantastic quality of life. Enjoy shopping at The Centre: MK, exciting leisure activities at Xscape, and plenty of green spaces through the Parks Trust. The city is well-connected with excellent transport links to London and beyond. 

So, if you’re looking for a rewarding career with a supportive employer, Milton Keynes College Group could be the perfect place for you. 

Want to join our team? Visit our website for current vacancies. 

English and maths aren’t always everyone’s favourite subjects, but they can often be the key to unlocking future career and education opportunities.

At MK College, over 1,000 students are currently studying GCSE English or maths, with several hundred more working towards Functional Skills qualifications. These students come from a wide range of backgrounds, including ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) learners looking to improve their English and maths, students taking these subjects alongside vocational courses or apprenticeships, and adults returning to education to gain essential qualifications later in life.

Here, Tamsyn Kramer, Head of English at MK College, and Tom Heath, Head of Maths, discuss why these subjects are vital for success—no matter what career path students choose.

Why Are English and Maths So Important for Success?

Tamsyn: English and maths open doors, providing students with more opportunities in college and beyond. GCSE or Functional Skills Level 2 qualifications are the ‘golden ticket’ that many employers look for. Higher-level courses often require these qualifications, so having them gives students greater flexibility in their future choices. If a student’s chosen career requires university study, they will need GCSE English and maths or a Functional Skills Level 2 qualification to progress.

Tom: For adult learners, gaining English and maths qualifications can be life changing. Many have been held back in their careers due to a lack of qualifications and gaining them can boost confidence and increase earning potential. It also allows them to support their children with schoolwork. One of our current GCSE Maths students is over 70 years old proving that it’s never too late to learn!

How Do English and Maths Help Develop Other Essential Skills?

Tamsyn: English is all about communication, which is one of the top soft skills employers look for. Strong written and spoken communication skills are essential in every profession.

Tom: Maths develops problem-solving and analytical thinking, which are crucial in many careers. We also relate maths to vocational subjects wherever possible—for example, construction students use Pythagoras’ theorem for roof beams, while sports students work with percentages to calculate BMI. Maths also builds essential life skills, such as budgeting and scheduling, which are valuable in both personal and professional life.

How Does the College Support Students Who Find English and Maths Challenging?

Tom: We offer additional study and revision sessions, including holiday workshops. Many of our tutors provide extra support at lunchtimes, before and after lessons. We also offer online resources, such as Maths Watch, which provides personalised learning targets. For students who cannot attend college in person, we supply electronic resources to ensure they don’t miss out.

Tamsyn: We encourage parents to get involved so they can support their children at home. Our aim is to be as flexible as possible and cater to students’ individual needs.

How Can GCSE English and Maths Help Students Progress in Their Careers?

Tom: Passing English and maths can make a huge difference to a student’s future. One of our biggest success stories is Madi, who struggled with maths for three years, failing every time—though she got closer with each attempt. With determination and support from her tutor, she finally achieved a Grade 4, which allowed her to pursue her dream of studying midwifery at university. Her story is proof that perseverance, self-belief, and hard work can lead to success.

How Can Parents Support Their Child’s Learning in English and Maths?

Tom: At the start of each academic year, we hold parent information sessions, sharing key dates and useful revision resources. We also encourage parents to build strong relationships with teachers to better support their children’s learning.

Tamsyn: Parents can help by ensuring their child knows their exam dates—please don’t book holidays during GCSE exams! Supporting good study habits, making sure they arrive at college on time, and encouraging them to get enough sleep and eat a healthy breakfast on exam days can make a big difference.

Useful English and Maths Revision Resources

For English GCSE (AQA Exam Board):

• Seneca Learning – Free online revision platform: AQA GCSE English Language
• Mr Bruff Revision Videos – Watch on Bing Videos
• BBC Bitesize – GCSE English Language
• Past Papers & Mark Schemes – AQA English GCSE Resources

For Maths GCSE:

• MathsWatch – https://vle.mathswatch.co.uk/vle/
• Mr Corbett Maths – https://corbettmaths.com/
• BBC Bitesize – https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/z8sg6fr

GCSE English and Maths Exam Dates 2025

English GCSE Exam Dates:

• Paper 1: Friday 23rd May
• Paper 2: Friday 6th June

Maths GCSE Exam Dates:

• Paper 1: Thursday 15th May
• Paper 2: Wednesday 4th June
• Paper 3: Wednesday 11th June

How does the work experience programme support students?

As part of their study programme, all students must complete 35 hours of work experience. Some courses require additional hours to meet professional licensing requirements. T Level students have a bigger commitment, as they must complete 315 hours of work experience as part of their qualification.

T Level students usually work with one or two employers, while students on other study programmes can try multiple placements.

How do students find a work experience placement?

We encourage students to take the lead in finding a placement. It’s a great way for them to build employability skills – contacting employers, sending CVs, and networking.

Our Work Experience Team works closely with curriculum staff to support students in their search. The Employer Team sometimes passes on business contacts, and tutors – who have strong industry experience – often help by connecting students with opportunities.

What industries do students typically need work experience in?

Our students gain experience in a wide range of industries, from fashion and football to manufacturing and engineering. If we offer a course in it, chances are there’s a placement opportunity available.

How does the team help students prepare for their placements?

Throughout the year, we integrate employability skills into the curriculum. We help students write CVs, provide guidance on using platforms like UniFrog, and offer templates to assist with applications.

What role can parents play in supporting their child’s work experience?

Parents can play a key role by using their own connections to find opportunities for their child in their chosen industry. They can also support their child with CV writing and researching companies, and most importantly, encourage their child to take the process seriously and apply to multiple employers.

Parents can also remind their child of the benefits of work experience, which include:

• First-hand experience of the workplace.
• Insight into different industries.
• Developing new skills.
• Boosting confidence and understanding of work environments.
• Exploring different career paths.

Can parents offer placements?

Yes! Some parents provide placements through their own businesses, though we don’t specifically ask. If you or a family member can offer an opportunity, it could make a big difference for a student.

Do placements lead to future opportunities?

Absolutely! Many of our T Level students receive job offers during or after their placements. Work experience can also be a stepping stone to university or full-time employment in the industry.

What if a student struggles to find a placement?

Our coordinators provide one-to-one support, taking personal circumstances into account. If a student isn’t quite ready for the workplace, we help build their confidence through workshops, guest speaker sessions, and industry projects where they’re mentored by employers.

What advice do you have for parents hesitant about offering placements?

By offering a placement, you’re helping to develop the next generation of workers. It can also benefit your business – many companies find that mentoring a young person is a great way to develop their own staff’s skills.

If you’re interested in providing a placement, email our Work Experience Team at workexperienceteam@mkcollege.ac.uk.