Cover & General Administrator at River Academy

River Academy; Reading; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Annual leave

Hybrid working

Professional development

Wellbeing support

Job summary

River Academy is seeking a Cover & Administration Officer to support daily school operations, coordinate staff cover, maintain accurate records, and provide a welcoming service to students, staff, parents and visitors.

You will manage absence and payroll data in HR systems, support attendance and reporting, handle room bookings, and ensure safeguarding and health & safety requirements are followed in a fast-paced school environment.

Qualifications

• Strong administrative and organisational abilities.
• Excellent IT skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Ability to handle confidential information responsibly.
• Experience working in an administrative, office or customer-facing environment.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate appropriate cover for absent staff to ensure continuity of teaching and learning.
• Allocate cover supervisors, teaching colleagues, internal supply and external supply teachers.
• Maintain accurate absence, cover and payroll information in relevant management systems.
• Monitor agency expenditure and seek cost-saving opportunities.
• Support attendance reporting and regulatory compliance.
• Manage room bookings and provide broader administrative support including HR tasks.
• Ensure safeguarding, health and safety and risk assessment requirements are followed.

Skills

Administrative skills

Organisational skills

IT skills

Microsoft Office

Confidentiality

Customer service

Tools

EveryHR

Job description

About this Role

We are seeking a Cover & Administration Officer to join ourdedicated team at River Academy. This is an exciting opportunity to play a keyrole in the day-to-day operation of the school, coordinating staff coverarrangements while providing high-quality administrative support to staff,students, parents and visitors.

As our Cover & Administration Officer, you will be responsible forensuring the effective coordination of daily cover arrangements, maintainingaccurate 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 forabsent staff, the next supporting attendance processes, producing reports,liaising with external agencies, or welcoming visitors to the school. This roleis ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoysmanaging a varied workload.

As a Disability Confidentemployer, we want to ensure everyone can perform at their best whenapplying to work with us. If you need any support with your application oradjustments during the selection process, please contact our People Team byemailing [email protected] or calling 0118 929 6020.

Key Responsibilities

• 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.

Further details ofresponsibilities and requirements can be found in the Job Description andPerson Specification.

The Ideal Candidate

• 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.

About the School

River Academy is a purpose-built secondary school serving the growingneed for school places in the Reading area. Located on Richfield Avenue, thesite includes specialist teaching facilities across the curriculum, including ahall, activity studio, learning resource centre, drama studio and sportsstudio.

The school has high expectations for all students, with a clear focus onacademic excellence and participation. When fully open, River Academy willserve students of all abilities and backgrounds, alongside an additionalresource base for students with moderate learning difficulties.

About Maiden Erlegh Trust

Maiden Erlegh Trust is a growing community of schools across Berkshireand Oxfordshire, working together to deliver the best possible education forevery child and young person. With around 750 staff and 4,500 students acrossnine 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-qualityeducation for all through collaboration, inclusion and continuous improvement.

Through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, colleagues access high-qualityprofessional 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 peopleand values expertise while playing a direct role in shaping the lives andoutcomes of young people.

Benefit of Working with Maiden Erlegh Trust

Staff wellbeing and professional development are central to how we work.Colleagues benefit from a wide range of opportunities and schemes, including:

• PensionScheme - Generous employer contributions through theTeachers' Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme
• AnnualLeave - Generous entitlement, increasing with length ofservice
• MEDay - One additional day's leave each year for asignificant personal event
• ProfessionalDevelopment - Extensive CPD through the Maiden Erlegh Institute,annual Trust Conference and apprenticeship opportunities
• HybridWorking - Flexible working arrangements for eligible roles
• Perkbox- Discounts, wellbeing resources and monthly perk points
• Wellbeingand Health - Free flu vaccinations and eye tests (whereeligible)
• EmployeeAssistance Programme - 24/7 support and discount schemes
• Mental Health First Aid Support
• Recognitionand Community - Celebrating achievements and milestones across#TeamMET
• Employee Referral Scheme

Workingfor our Trust means contributing to something larger by supporting theeducation and life chances of children and young people every day.

Additional Information

If you believe this is an environment where you can thrive, develop andmake a meaningful contribution, please contact[email protected] for an informal discussion.

If you are organised, compassionate and committed to improving outcomesfor young people through strong attendance practice, we welcome yourapplication.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early as we reserve the right toclose the advert and interview at any time.

Maiden Erlegh Trust is an equal opportunities employer and is committedto safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Thesuccessful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactoryreferences and all other relevant pre-employment checks.