What the Role Involves

• Supervising Classes: Managing a classroom in the absence of the regular teacher.

• Delivering Set Work: Distributing and explaining lesson plans or resources left by the teacher (you don’t plan or mark the work yourself).

• Maintaining Order: Managing behaviour, following the school’s policies, and ensuring a safe, productive environment.

• Supporting Learning: Helping students stay on task and clarifying instructions when needed.

• Administrative Duties (sometimes): Assisting with registration, exam invigilation, or general school supervision duties (like break/lunch duty).

• Cover Supervisor:

  • No responsibility for lesson planning, marking, or assessment.

  • Primarily supervises and manages behaviour.

  • Often seen as a good stepping stone into teaching.

• Cover Teacher (sometimes used interchangeably):

  • May be a qualified teacher providing cover.

  • Can adapt or extend lesson plans if required.

  • Paid at teacher rates rather than support staff rates.

• Strong classroom management.

• Clear communication and authority.

• Adaptability (different subjects and year groups).

• Patience and resilience.

• Ability to engage students and keep lessons running smoothly.

• Recent graduates considering teaching.

• Teaching assistants moving up.

• People with experience in youth work, tutoring, or other supervisory roles.

• They provide continuity of learning when staff are absent.

• Reduce reliance on expensive supply teachers.

• Offer consistency and familiarity for students.