Cover & Administration Officer

Maiden Erlegh Trust; Reading; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

River Academy in Reading is seeking a Cover & Administration Officer to coordinate daily staff cover and provide high-quality admin support across staff, students, parents and visitors. You will ensure accurate absence and payroll data in EveryHR and other MIS, while assisting attendance and operational processes.

This role requires excellent organisational and IT skills, the ability to prioritise under pressure, and a commitment to safeguarding and outstanding customer service within a busy

Qualifications

• Experience in administrative, office or customer-facing environments.
• Ability to coordinate cover and attendance records accurately.
• Strong IT and MS Office proficiency and data handling confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily staff cover and attendance processes.
• Allocate cover staff, supply colleagues and external supply teachers.
• Maintain absence, cover and payroll information in EveryHR and MIS.
• Provide front-facing admin support to staff, students, parents and visitors.
• Support safeguarding, health and safety and related risk assessments.

Skills

Excellent admin skills

Strong IT skills

Microsoft Office

Ability to prioritise and stay calm

Customer-facing experience

Relationship building

Confidentiality and discretion

safeguarding awareness

Tools

EveryHR

Other MIS systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are seeking a Cover & Administration Officer to join our dedicated team at River Academy. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in the day-to-day operation of the school, coordinating staff cover arrangements while providing high-quality administrative support to staff, students, parents and visitors. As our Cover & Administration Officer, you will be responsible for ensuring the effective coordination of daily cover arrangements, maintaining accurate records and systems, supporting attendance and operational processes, and providing a welcoming and professional front-facing service. No two days are the same. One moment you could be arranging cover for absent staff, the next supporting attendance processes, producing reports, liaising with external agencies, or welcoming visitors to the school. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys managing a varied workload.,

• Ensure continuity of teaching and learning by coordinating appropriate cover arrangements
• for absent classroom-based colleagues.
• Allocate cover supervisors, teaching colleagues, internal supply colleagues and external
• supply teachers effectively.
• Maintain accurate absence, cover and payroll information within EveryHR and other
• management information systems.
• Monitor agency expenditure and work with relevant colleagues to limit costs wherever
• possible.
• Support compliance with the staff attendance policy through accurate reporting and follow-up
• administration.
• Manage room bookings and provide wider administrative and human resources support.
• Ensure safeguarding, health and safety and risk assessment requirements are followed., Working for our Trust means contributing to something larger by supporting the education and life chances of children and young people every day.
• Has excellent administrative and organisational skills.
• Can prioritise effectively and work calmly under pressure.
• Has strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications.
• Is able to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
• Has experience working in an administrative, office or customer-facing environment.
• Can build positive relationships with staff, students, parents and external partners.
• Is committed to providing outstanding customer service.
• Shares our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
• River Academy is a purpose-built secondary school serving the growing need for school places in the Reading area. Located on Richfield Avenue, the site includes specialist teaching facilities across the curriculum, including a hall, activity studio, learning resource centre, drama studio and sports studio.
• The school has high expectations for all students, with a clear focus on academic excellence and participation. When fully open, River Academy will serve students of all abilities and backgrounds, alongside an additional resource base for students with moderate learning difficulties. About Maiden Erlegh Trust Maiden Erlegh Trust is a growing community of schools across Berkshire and Oxfordshire, working together to deliver the best possible education for every child and young person. With around 750 staff and 4,500 students across nine schools, including primary, secondary, special and alternative provision, we are proud of the diversity that shapes our expertise. We Aim High, Be Inclusive and Work Together. These values drive our focus on high-quality education for all through collaboration, inclusion and continuous improvement. Through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, colleagues access high-quality professional learning at every stage of their career, supported by mentoring, leadership opportunities and our annual MET Staff Conference. Joining our Trust means being part of a community that invests in people and values expertise while playing a direct role in shaping the lives and outcomes of young people.
• Maiden Erlegh Trust is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and all other relevant pre-employment checks.

• Staff wellbeing and professional development are central to how we work. Colleagues benefit from a wide range of opportunities and schemes, including:
• Pension Scheme - Generous employer contributions through the Teachers' Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme
• Annual Leave - Generous entitlement, increasing with length of service
• ME Day - One additional day's leave each year for a significant personal event
• Professional Development - Extensive CPD through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, annual Trust Conference and apprenticeship opportunities
• Hybrid Working - Flexible working arrangements for eligible roles
• Perkbox - Discounts, wellbeing resources and monthly perk points
• Wellbeing and Health - Free flu vaccinations and eye tests (where eligible)
• Employee Assistance Programme - 24/7 support and discount schemes