cover supervisor job description

Some of the duties and responsibilities of a cover supervisor include: assisting students with their work: as a cover supervisor, you teach students various topics in the curriculum. Since the teacher already scheduled the lesson and the class material, your job is to assist them in completing the tasks and support pupils who need help understanding the topic. You help them complete assignments and projects associated with the lesson to accomplish the learning outcomes. managing behaviour: as a cover supervisor, you manage students in the absence of the teacher or teaching assistant. You ensure the class is productive and students have a constructive learning environment. You regulate the activities and behaviours within the classroom to avoid noisemaking and other destructive habits. mitigating emergencies and handling issues: as a cover supervisor, you handle any emergencies in the classroom. Since the class teacher is unavailable, you are in charge of the classroom and deal with immediate issues according to the school policies. Hence, it is crucial to understand the rules and policies of the school you work for. collecting assignments and class projects: as a cover supervisor, you perform the duties stipulated by the class teacher. Often, the role includes collecting assignments from students and marking them. Alternatively, you can collect due projects and hand them to the teacher when they resume work. preparing class reports: at the end of your short-term work at the school, you prepare a report. Your report includes information on student behaviours, the work assigned to students and the projects you supervised to completion. You also report any emergency issues that arise and provide suggestions for improvement.

As a cover supervisor, you assist teachers with various subjects, and the work environment will depend on the subject. Due to the nature of your job, you work in different schools, and sometimes you report to a school on short notice. Fortunately, the schools are usually within your local or preferred area for easy movement. Cover supervisors spend most of their day in a classroom set-up, teaching students and managing the classroom. You also assist students with their projects and experiments in laboratories.

who are your colleagues?

Cover supervisors move from one school to another and collaborate with various professionals to accomplish their roles. As a cover teacher, you work with primary teachers , secondary teachers and headteachers. You also work alongside science teachers, maths teachers and teaching assistants. Sometimes, you collaborate with the school nurse or speech therapists to assist students with medical conditions.

Cover supervisors work in diverse schools and adapt the work schedule of the school. For instance, if the school starts at 7 am and ends at 4 pm, you adjust your schedule to match the policies of the new school. Most positions are temporary or on short-term contracts. Hence, you can work as a cover teacher on a part-time basis.

Working as a cover supervisor prepares you to become a primary or secondary school teacher. As a cover supervisor, you gain more classroom experience than a teaching assistant. Hence, you will familiarise yourself with handling students and helping them with their work. Some cover supervisors become full-time teachers or specialise in specific subjects like maths and science.

advantages of finding a cover supervisor job through randstad

Finding your cover supervisor job through Randstad provides important advantages such as: a wide variety of training and development opportunities an experienced contact person to provide help if needed a range of opportunities in your area get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job temporary and permanent contracts Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a cover supervisor is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!

what does a cover supervisor earn in the UK?

A cover supervisor receives an average salary of £23,588 annually in the UK. With minimal experience, the compensation package starts at £21,644 yearly. As you improve your experience and qualifications, your earnings increase to over £30,989 per year. The compensation package depends on your work hours and the classes you teach.

do cover supervisors need a degree?

There are no specific qualifications for becoming a cover supervisor. However, you require a background in teaching. You can complete certificate and diploma courses that teach about offering school support and classroom teaching. Some cover supervisors have a qualified teacher status due to employer requirements.

is a cover supervisor the same as a teaching assistant?

Cover supervisors and teaching assistants deliver lessons and control pupils' behaviours but have different roles. A cover supervisor oversees students as they complete pre-set tasks, while a teaching assistant assists the class teacher with preparing learning materials.

what is the main role of a cover supervisor?

As a cover supervisor, your primary role is supervising pupils as they complete tasks pre-set by the class teacher. You cover for the teaching staff on a short-term basis by managing the classroom and ensuring students remain on task.

what makes a good cover supervisor?

A good cover supervisor is flexible to adjust to the changing work environment and requirements. As a cover supervisor, you also need great communication skills and compassionate nature to keep up with student needs.

how do I apply for a cover supervisor vacancy?

Applying for a cover supervisor job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area . Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!

Working as a cover supervisor

what is a cover supervisor?

As a cover supervisor, you teach students in Key Stage 3 or 4 between the ages of 11 and 16. Sometimes, a teacher cannot cover their regular lessons, and you take over. Unlike a teaching assistant who assists a teacher, you support a primary or secondary school teacher by teaching the lesson on their behalf. While most cover supervisors work with Key Stage 3 and 4 students, you sometimes teach younger Stage 1 and 2 pupils.

Since your primary role is supervising a classroom when the teacher is absent, you don't prepare lesson plans. The class teacher provides the teaching materials and items necessary for the lesson. While you are not actively teaching, having the necessary qualities and experience of a teacher is important. For instance, you require confidence to keep students motivated and focused on the lessons. You also assist pupils with tasks to ensure they keep up with the school curriculum even when the teacher is absent. A cover supervisor performs various duties depending on the class they teach and the subjects.

Being a cover supervisor requires flexibility since positions are short-term, and sometimes you work in different schools. For instance, you can work in public, private and independent or free schools. Sometimes, you also handle mixed-ability pupils like students with special needs.

Would working as a cover supervisor suit your flexibility and interest in working with kids? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a cover supervisor role.

see cover supervisor jobs

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average cover supervisor salary

According to ONS, a cover supervisor earns an average salary of £23,588 per year in the UK. Entry-level positions start with a low salary of £21,644 annually. Cover supervisors who are familiar with their roles and have a few years of experience can earn over £30,989 yearly. Since cover supervisors work on a need basis, some schools have weekly payment options for cover teachers who work a few weeks in a year.

how to increase your salary as a cover supervisor

Cover supervisors’ salary often fluctuates based on the hours worked, experience and qualifications. If you specialise in teaching specific secondary school subjects, you will likely earn more as a cover supervisor. Having added classroom experience also improves your remuneration prospects. As a cover supervisor, you work on a need basis. That means you cover specific classes or lessons for teachers on leave. Sometimes, you give one lesson per day or up to three lessons depending on the school's requirements.

The type of school you work for also influences your compensation package. Public schools and government-sponsored facilities have limited budgets and pay lower rates. Independent and private schools set their salaries and can pay based on your expertise.

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types of cover supervisors

As a cover supervisor, you can specialise in teaching a particular subject or offer specialised services. Some of the types of cover supervisors include:

special educational needs (SEN) cover supervisors: as an SEN cover supervisor, you handle students with special needs and mental health issues. For instance, you cover for teachers who teach students with physical disabilities like hearing and eye impairments, and you can also instruct students with learning disabilities.
maths cover supervisors: as a maths cover teacher, you provide cover for mathematics teachers in secondary schools and teach a lesson on their behalf. Since the class materials and lesson plans are prepared, your job is to train the students and help them with assignments.
science cover supervisors: if you have specialised training in sciences like biology, chemistry or physics, you can cover for science teachers. Your job will include performing science experiments with the class and teaching students various topics in the curriculum.

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