Cover Manager

What skills and experience we're looking for

Cove School is seeking to appoint a confident, organised and enthusiastic Cover Manager who will be responsible for coordinating and managing daily whole-school cover arrangements for the short-term absence of teaching staff. The successful candidate will also supervise classes during teacher absence, ensuring high standards of behaviour are maintained and that learning tasks set by teachers are completed effectively. The cover work is supplied by our teaching staff and used as the basis for lessons.

This role includes responsibility for organising whole-school cover using ARBOR, the school’s Management Information System (full training will be provided). A Cover Supervisor will also be reporting to you.

This role is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in developing a career in education or teaching and wishing to gain valuable classroom and operational experience within a school environment.

Training will be provided in classroom and behaviour management, and the school offers excellent opportunities for professional development and career progression. Cove School has strong links with Teach First and the i2i Teaching Partnership, supporting the training of between 5–10 trainee teachers each year.

Whilst previous experience within an education environment is desirable, it is not essential, as training will be provided.

Key Responsibilities

• Organise and manage the daily cover programme, ensuring all lessons and duties are appropriately staffed throughout the school day
• Use ARBOR to coordinate staff cover arrangements and maintain accurate records
• Prepare a summary report each term on cover needs
• Re-homing/room changes during exam periods
• Prepare cover packs for external staff members
• Supervise classes during the short-term absence of teaching staff
• Ensure pupils remain on task and engaged with the work set by the class teacher
• Respond to pupil questions and manage classroom behaviour effectively
• Ensure pupils are aware of any homework or follow-up tasks set by teaching staff
• Provide feedback to subject teachers regarding lesson progress, behaviour and completed work
• Provide breaktime supervision as required
• Register form groups as required
• Support and shadow trainee teachers where appropriate
• Work within relevant policies, codes of practice and legislation, including safeguarding, child protection, health and safety, security and GDPR requirements, reporting concerns to the appropriate person
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and external professionals to uphold high standards across the school

Person Specification

• Good standard of education, including GCSE Grade C/4 or above in English and Maths (or equivalent)
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills with the ability to prioritise workload effectively
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with pupils to encourage, motivate and support them
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and respond flexibly to changing priorities
• Confidence using IT systems; experience of ARBOR or similar school MIS systems is desirable but not essential
• Previous experience working with young people in a professional environment is desirable, though not essential

What the school offers its staff

• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Lifestyle discounts through our employee 'Lifestyle Savings Platform'.
• Access to free counselling service via our provider ‘Health Assured’.
• Onsite parking.
• To be part of a school which has a real ‘team approach’ where you will be valued and supported.

Commitment to safeguarding

Cove School and Hampshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Check as well as other relevant pre-employment checks.