School Cover Manager
| Posting date: | 03 June 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £25,000 per year |
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 01 July 2026 |
| Location: | Winchester, Hampshire |
| Company: | senploy |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Job reference: | 219619 |
Summary
Do you thrive in a busy school environment where no two days are the same?
Perhaps you're already working in a school and looking for your next challenge.
We're supporting a well-regarded secondary school in Winchester to recruit a Cover Manager to play a vital role in the smooth day-to-day running of the school.
This is a varied and rewarding role where you'll coordinate daily staff cover, support colleagues, and help ensure learning continues smoothly across the school.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys solving problems, staying organised, and helping a school run effectively behind the scenes.
Who This Role Would Suit
This role is particularly suited to people who already understand how schools operate.
We'd love to hear from:
- Teachers looking to transition to a different career
- School Administrators
- Attendance Officers
- Teaching Assistants
- Pastoral Support Staff
- School Office Managers
- Former teachers looking for a different role within education
You'll likely be a great fit if you are:
- Highly organised and proactive
- Calm under pressure
- Confident communicating with a wide range of people
- Comfortable making decisions and solving problems independently
- Warm, approachable, and professional
- Able to build positive relationships with staff and students alike
Experience of cover management is helpful but not essential. Training and support will be provided for the right candidate.
What Does a Cover Manager Do?
The school day starts early, with responsibility for organising staff cover across the school.
You'll be the person ensuring every lesson is covered, liaising with senior leaders, teaching staff, and external agencies to make sure the day runs smoothly.
You'll also support and lead the school's Cover Supervisors, helping them feel prepared and supported throughout the day.
What The Role Involves
- Monitoring staff absences and arranging daily cover from 7:15am each morning
- Creating and managing the daily cover timetable
- Liaising with supply agencies and booking cover staff when required
- Welcoming and briefing Cover Supervisors and supply teachers on arrival
- Supporting and managing the Cover Supervisor team
- Maintaining accurate records and forward planning using the school's MIS system
- Responding to last-minute staffing changes and solving problems quickly
- Liaising with senior leaders regarding planned absences, trips, appointments, and training days
- Supporting wider school administration when required
- Occasionally supervising lessons when needed
Why This Role Matters
When unexpected absences happen, students still deserve a great education.
As Cover Manager, you'll play a key role behind the scenes, ensuring learning continues uninterrupted and staff feel supported.
It's a role that requires organisation, resilience, and excellent communication skills, but it is incredibly rewarding for someone who enjoys making a difference and helping others.
What's on offer
- Salary: £23,762 - £26,143 actual salary (Grade D)
- Term Time Plus One Week contract
- 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 7:15am - 3:15pm
- School holidays off
- A varied and rewarding role within education
- Opportunity to work closely with school leaders and teaching staff
- Supportive school environment
- Ongoing training and development opportunities
Safeguarding
At Quokka Education, safeguarding comes first.
All applicants will be vetted in line with DfE guidance, including an online search as part of the recruitment process. We'll guide you through each stage so you know exactly what to expect.
Refer a Friend
Know someone who would be a great fit?
Refer a friend to Quokka Education and we'll pay you £100 if they successfully secure a role through us.
Benefits:
Perhaps you're already working in a school and looking for your next challenge.
We're supporting a well-regarded secondary school in Winchester to recruit a Cover Manager to play a vital role in the smooth day-to-day running of the school.
This is a varied and rewarding role where you'll coordinate daily staff cover, support colleagues, and help ensure learning continues smoothly across the school.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys solving problems, staying organised, and helping a school run effectively behind the scenes.
Who This Role Would Suit
This role is particularly suited to people who already understand how schools operate.
We'd love to hear from:
- Teachers looking to transition to a different career
- School Administrators
- Attendance Officers
- Teaching Assistants
- Pastoral Support Staff
- School Office Managers
- Former teachers looking for a different role within education
You'll likely be a great fit if you are:
- Highly organised and proactive
- Calm under pressure
- Confident communicating with a wide range of people
- Comfortable making decisions and solving problems independently
- Warm, approachable, and professional
- Able to build positive relationships with staff and students alike
Experience of cover management is helpful but not essential. Training and support will be provided for the right candidate.
What Does a Cover Manager Do?
The school day starts early, with responsibility for organising staff cover across the school.
You'll be the person ensuring every lesson is covered, liaising with senior leaders, teaching staff, and external agencies to make sure the day runs smoothly.
You'll also support and lead the school's Cover Supervisors, helping them feel prepared and supported throughout the day.
What The Role Involves
- Monitoring staff absences and arranging daily cover from 7:15am each morning
- Creating and managing the daily cover timetable
- Liaising with supply agencies and booking cover staff when required
- Welcoming and briefing Cover Supervisors and supply teachers on arrival
- Supporting and managing the Cover Supervisor team
- Maintaining accurate records and forward planning using the school's MIS system
- Responding to last-minute staffing changes and solving problems quickly
- Liaising with senior leaders regarding planned absences, trips, appointments, and training days
- Supporting wider school administration when required
- Occasionally supervising lessons when needed
Why This Role Matters
When unexpected absences happen, students still deserve a great education.
As Cover Manager, you'll play a key role behind the scenes, ensuring learning continues uninterrupted and staff feel supported.
It's a role that requires organisation, resilience, and excellent communication skills, but it is incredibly rewarding for someone who enjoys making a difference and helping others.
What's on offer
- Salary: £23,762 - £26,143 actual salary (Grade D)
- Term Time Plus One Week contract
- 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 7:15am - 3:15pm
- School holidays off
- A varied and rewarding role within education
- Opportunity to work closely with school leaders and teaching staff
- Supportive school environment
- Ongoing training and development opportunities
Safeguarding
At Quokka Education, safeguarding comes first.
All applicants will be vetted in line with DfE guidance, including an online search as part of the recruitment process. We'll guide you through each stage so you know exactly what to expect.
Refer a Friend
Know someone who would be a great fit?
Refer a friend to Quokka Education and we'll pay you £100 if they successfully secure a role through us.
Benefits: