Cover Manager

Gippeswyk Community Educational Trust; England; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Copleston High School is seeking a proactive Cover Manager to oversee staff absence and classroom cover, ensuring learning continuity across the school. The role involves coordinating cover staff, maintaining absence records, and supporting the cover budget while line-managing the team.

Experience with school management systems such as Arbor is advantageous. The post is permanent, 37 hours a week, 39 weeks per year, starting as soon as possible.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing staff and absence cover.
• Strong organisational and time-management abilities.
• Experience using school management software (Arbor) is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day management of staff absence and classroom cover across the school.
• Coordinate and deploy cover staff and maintain absence records.
• Support the effective operation of the school's cover budget and line-manage the cover team.
• Collaborate with senior leaders and heads of department to ensure learning continuity.

Skills

Organisational skills

People management

Time-management

Communication

IT systems

Education

Experience in education setting

Tools

Arbor knowledge

Job description

Oxlip Learning Partnership,Copleston High School

Job Type:

Permanent

Hours:

37 hours a week, 39 weeks a year

Interview Date:

24/07/26

Closing Date:

16/07/26

• Grade 5 (below the bar)

Copleston High School is a popular 11-18 mixed comprehensive noted for its caring and disciplined atmosphere. It was judged as a ‘good school ‘by Ofsted in December 2023. As a school we are committed to raising standards of learning and teaching within all subject areas. Applicants will be impressed by the behaviour, ethos and outcomes of students across the school.

We are seeking an organised, proactive and highly effective Cover Manager to lead the day-to-day management of staff absence and classroom cover arrangements across the school. This is a key role within our support staff team, ensuring that learning continues smoothly and efficiently when teaching staff are absent. The successful candidate will coordinate and deploy cover staff, manage staff absence records, work closely with senior leaders and heads of department, and support the effective operation of the school's cover budget. They will also line manage and support the development of the cover team, helping to maintain high standards of service and professionalism.

We are looking for a confident and resilient individual with excellent organisational, communication and time-management skills. You will have experience of managing people, working to tight deadlines, using IT systems effectively and maintaining accurate records. Previous experience in an educational setting and knowledge of school management systems such as Arbor would be advantageous.

This role would suit someone who thrives in a fast‑paced environment, can respond calmly to changing priorities, and enjoys building positive working relationships with colleagues across the school. You will be required to start work at 7am Monday to Friday.

Application packs are available from the school website: www.copleston.suffolk.sch.uk or by calling the HR Team on 01473 277250. CVs are not accepted. For an informal discussion about the role please contact Alison Ross (Vice Principal) at [e-mail].

The Oxlip Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records, online checks and other vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across our schools. Child protection training will also need to be undertaken.

Oxlip Learning Partnership promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages applications from all sections of society. We are always keen to hear from talented professionals, at all stages of their career, who believe they can support us in achieving our vision.

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment’.