Cover Manager
| Posting date: | 13 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 05 March 2026 |
| Location: | Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 1EH |
| Company: | Teaching Vacancies |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 07d2abb5-544f-404b-8168-cbf9e946e36f |
Summary
What skills and experience we're looking for
Are you an exceptionally organised and adaptable individual with strong communication skills? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment and want to play a crucial role in ensuring continuous learning for students?
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Avon Valley School & Performing Arts College is seeking a dedicated and proactive Cover Manager. This is a unique position combining administrative coordination with real-world teaching experience.
As our Cover Manager, you will be at the heart of our daily operations, responsible for efficiently organising and deploying cover for absent teaching staff in the morning before stepping into the classroom to deliver cover lessons yourself, building confidence and gaining valuable hands-on classroom experience– making this an ideal stepping stone for anyone considering a future in education.
Your vital contribution will minimise disruption to student learning and ensure a positive and productive atmosphere across the school.
THE ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES
As Cover Manager, you will play a dual role:
• Proactively managing staff absences and deploying cover supervisors or agency staff to ensure no student’s learning is disrupted.
• Delivering engaging cover lessons across a variety of subjects and year groups, gaining valuable classroom experience.
Key Responsibilities:
• Absence/Cover Management: Coordinate the daily cover schedule for all teaching staff, ensuring all classes are adequately supervised by internal staff or external supply.
• Morning Coordination: Start at 7am to organise daily cover, ensuring the schedule is published and emailed to all staff by 8am.
• Lesson Delivery: Lead and deliver pre-planned lessons across various subjects, ensuring students remain engaged and on-task in the absence of their regular teacher.
• Seamless Communication: Acting as the central point of contact for supply agencies and internal staff, communicating cover arrangements clearly and promptly. You'll provide essential guidance and support to cover staff.
• Administrative Excellence: Maintaining accurate records of all cover arrangements, managing the cover system, preparing daily cover sheets, and monitoring the effectiveness of cover provision.
• Safeguarding Focus: Ensuring all cover staff are aware of and adhere to the school's safeguarding policies, verifying necessary checks, and reporting any concerns immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
The ideal candidate will be:
• Organised and Adaptable: You will have excellent organisational and time management skills and the ability to handle a fast-paced environment and shifting priorities with ease.
• A Natural Communicator: You will have strong communication and interpersonal skills, enabling confident liaison with external partners, and the ability to build positive relations with students and staff.
• Classroom Experience: You will gain direct classroom experience across KS3 and KS4, delivering cover lessons in the event of planned or unplanned absence by teaching staff, as required.
• Administrative Excellence: You will have high accuracy and attention to details in record-keeping and be proficient in IT systems, including Microsoft Office Suite, and ideally experience with school management information systems (MIS) or cover management software.
• A Role Model: You will maintain high standards of attendance, punctuality and professional conduct.
• Safeguarding Awareness: A clear understanding of safeguarding principles and a deep commitment to promoting the welfare of children.
• Note: A teaching qualification (QTS) is not essential, but experience as an HLTA, Unqualified Teacher, or experience Cover Supervisor is highly desirable.
What the school offers its staff
WHY JOIN US?
At The Avon Valley School, we are committed to nurturing every student’s potential, both academically and personally. Our ethos is built on Ambition, Respect and Care, fostering a learning environment where students feel valued, supported and empowered to achieve their aspirations.
Avon Valley School offers a welcoming and collaborative environment where every member of staff is valued. We are committed to providing exceptional professional development opportunities and a supportive culture where you can thrive. You will have the chance to work with a fantastic team of staff and students who are all dedicated to building a safe, happy, and successful school.
WHAT WE OFFER
Joining The Avon Valley School means becoming part of a supportive and forward-thinking community. You will join a school that values professional development and personal growth. Whether you’re exploring teaching as a career or actively working towards QTS, we offer a supportive environment where you can gain significant classroom experience while playing a vital role in the school’s daily success.
Our staff enjoy:
• Tailored career development with annual personal development opportunities.
• Flexible working arrangements for support staff, including 2 flexible working days.
• A generous absence request policy, for example, do you want to watch your child’s primary school sports day, or attend your best friend’s wedding? Not a problem if you work for us.
• A proactive staff wellbeing programme to support work-life balance.
• A committed and collaborative Senior Leadership Team.
• A thriving school community with engaged students and supportive parents/carers.
• Lunch provided for anyone offering student facing activities during lunchtimes.
• Paid duties for anyone joining our lunchtime duty team.
• Employee benefits, including a cycle-to-work scheme, employee assistance programme, free on-site parking, and catering facilities.
Further details about the role
TO APPLY:
If you’re passionate about education and eager to gain classroom experience, we’d love to hear from you – even if you don’t meet every requirement. We’re looking for someone with the right attitude, enthusiasm and commitment to learning.
If you want to be part of a school where you can truly make a difference, we encourage you to apply by clicking the link below which will take you to our online application form.
Please visit our website to find out more about the school: https://www.avonvalleyschool.uk/
Application Deadline: 9am on Thursday 5th March 2026 (We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role).
Interviews: Shortly after closing date.
For further information, email: chearne@avonvalleyschool.uk or telephone: 01788 542355.
Safeguarding and Compliance
Please note:
• We do not accept CVs without an application form.
• We do not provide working visas.
• If shortlisted, you will be required to complete a declaration regarding any relevant criminal offences as part of our safeguarding duties.
• Avon Valley School conducts online searches (including social media) as per KCSIE 2025.
• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check (child workforce) via the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Join us in shaping a future of limitless potential. We look forward to hearing from you!
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Are you an exceptionally organised and adaptable individual with strong communication skills? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment and want to play a crucial role in ensuring continuous learning for students?
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Avon Valley School & Performing Arts College is seeking a dedicated and proactive Cover Manager. This is a unique position combining administrative coordination with real-world teaching experience.
As our Cover Manager, you will be at the heart of our daily operations, responsible for efficiently organising and deploying cover for absent teaching staff in the morning before stepping into the classroom to deliver cover lessons yourself, building confidence and gaining valuable hands-on classroom experience– making this an ideal stepping stone for anyone considering a future in education.
Your vital contribution will minimise disruption to student learning and ensure a positive and productive atmosphere across the school.
THE ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES
As Cover Manager, you will play a dual role:
• Proactively managing staff absences and deploying cover supervisors or agency staff to ensure no student’s learning is disrupted.
• Delivering engaging cover lessons across a variety of subjects and year groups, gaining valuable classroom experience.
Key Responsibilities:
• Absence/Cover Management: Coordinate the daily cover schedule for all teaching staff, ensuring all classes are adequately supervised by internal staff or external supply.
• Morning Coordination: Start at 7am to organise daily cover, ensuring the schedule is published and emailed to all staff by 8am.
• Lesson Delivery: Lead and deliver pre-planned lessons across various subjects, ensuring students remain engaged and on-task in the absence of their regular teacher.
• Seamless Communication: Acting as the central point of contact for supply agencies and internal staff, communicating cover arrangements clearly and promptly. You'll provide essential guidance and support to cover staff.
• Administrative Excellence: Maintaining accurate records of all cover arrangements, managing the cover system, preparing daily cover sheets, and monitoring the effectiveness of cover provision.
• Safeguarding Focus: Ensuring all cover staff are aware of and adhere to the school's safeguarding policies, verifying necessary checks, and reporting any concerns immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
The ideal candidate will be:
• Organised and Adaptable: You will have excellent organisational and time management skills and the ability to handle a fast-paced environment and shifting priorities with ease.
• A Natural Communicator: You will have strong communication and interpersonal skills, enabling confident liaison with external partners, and the ability to build positive relations with students and staff.
• Classroom Experience: You will gain direct classroom experience across KS3 and KS4, delivering cover lessons in the event of planned or unplanned absence by teaching staff, as required.
• Administrative Excellence: You will have high accuracy and attention to details in record-keeping and be proficient in IT systems, including Microsoft Office Suite, and ideally experience with school management information systems (MIS) or cover management software.
• A Role Model: You will maintain high standards of attendance, punctuality and professional conduct.
• Safeguarding Awareness: A clear understanding of safeguarding principles and a deep commitment to promoting the welfare of children.
• Note: A teaching qualification (QTS) is not essential, but experience as an HLTA, Unqualified Teacher, or experience Cover Supervisor is highly desirable.
What the school offers its staff
WHY JOIN US?
At The Avon Valley School, we are committed to nurturing every student’s potential, both academically and personally. Our ethos is built on Ambition, Respect and Care, fostering a learning environment where students feel valued, supported and empowered to achieve their aspirations.
Avon Valley School offers a welcoming and collaborative environment where every member of staff is valued. We are committed to providing exceptional professional development opportunities and a supportive culture where you can thrive. You will have the chance to work with a fantastic team of staff and students who are all dedicated to building a safe, happy, and successful school.
WHAT WE OFFER
Joining The Avon Valley School means becoming part of a supportive and forward-thinking community. You will join a school that values professional development and personal growth. Whether you’re exploring teaching as a career or actively working towards QTS, we offer a supportive environment where you can gain significant classroom experience while playing a vital role in the school’s daily success.
Our staff enjoy:
• Tailored career development with annual personal development opportunities.
• Flexible working arrangements for support staff, including 2 flexible working days.
• A generous absence request policy, for example, do you want to watch your child’s primary school sports day, or attend your best friend’s wedding? Not a problem if you work for us.
• A proactive staff wellbeing programme to support work-life balance.
• A committed and collaborative Senior Leadership Team.
• A thriving school community with engaged students and supportive parents/carers.
• Lunch provided for anyone offering student facing activities during lunchtimes.
• Paid duties for anyone joining our lunchtime duty team.
• Employee benefits, including a cycle-to-work scheme, employee assistance programme, free on-site parking, and catering facilities.
Further details about the role
TO APPLY:
If you’re passionate about education and eager to gain classroom experience, we’d love to hear from you – even if you don’t meet every requirement. We’re looking for someone with the right attitude, enthusiasm and commitment to learning.
If you want to be part of a school where you can truly make a difference, we encourage you to apply by clicking the link below which will take you to our online application form.
Please visit our website to find out more about the school: https://www.avonvalleyschool.uk/
Application Deadline: 9am on Thursday 5th March 2026 (We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role).
Interviews: Shortly after closing date.
For further information, email: chearne@avonvalleyschool.uk or telephone: 01788 542355.
Safeguarding and Compliance
Please note:
• We do not accept CVs without an application form.
• We do not provide working visas.
• If shortlisted, you will be required to complete a declaration regarding any relevant criminal offences as part of our safeguarding duties.
• Avon Valley School conducts online searches (including social media) as per KCSIE 2025.
• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check (child workforce) via the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Join us in shaping a future of limitless potential. We look forward to hearing from you!
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.