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.