Cover Supervisor

Acorn Care and Education; Gloucester; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution in Gloucester is seeking a Cover Supervisor to maintain learning consistency when teachers are unavailable. The ideal candidate will have experience in education, good communication skills, and the ability to support students with diverse needs. This permanent role offers a salary of up to £27,000 per annum and a focus on fostering a positive classroom atmosphere.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support services

Cycle to Work Schemes

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Qualifications

• Experience supervising students in a classroom.
• Willingness to learn about supporting students with additional needs.
• Flexible and proactive attitude.

Responsibilities

• Deliver lessons and supervise classes in the absence of teachers.
• Create a calm and structured learning environment.
• Support students who need extra help during cover sessions.

Skills

Experience working in an educational setting

Confidence in leading groups

Communication skills

Education

GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent)

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Cover Supervisor

Location: Brookthorpe Hall School, Gloucester GL4 0UN

Salary: Up to £27,000 per annum (depending on experience, not pro rata)

Hours: 40 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8:30am – 4:30pm

Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only

Start: November 2025

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

About the Role

As a Cover Supervisor, you’ll play a vital role in keeping learning consistent and engaging when teachers are unavailable. You’ll deliver pre-prepared lessons, maintain a calm and positive classroom atmosphere, and encourage pupils to stay focused and motivated throughout the day. Working closely with teachers and support staff, you’ll build strong, trusting relationships with students, helping them feel safe, valued, and ready to learn — even on the days when routines change. No two days will be the same. One moment you might be leading a maths session; the next, you’re supporting small groups outdoors or helping prepare engaging classroom materials. Through it all, you’ll model patience, creativity, and care.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver lessons and supervise classes in the absence of teachers, keeping pupils engaged and on task
• Create a calm, structured, and supportive learning environment
• Provide guidance to students who need extra help or reassurance during cover sessions
• Prepare classrooms, learning materials, and resources for the day ahead
• Occasionally support the Teaching Assistant team or assist with wider school activities
• Promote positive behaviour and uphold the school’s values at all times
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure continuity and consistency across lessons

What We’re Looking For

• Experience working in an educational setting (essential)
• GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent)
• Confidence in leading groups and managing classroom dynamics
• An understanding of, or willingness to learn about, supporting students with complex or additional needs
• A flexible, proactive attitude with excellent communication skills
• A genuine passion for helping young people achieve their best in a safe and supportive environment

Application Requirement

As part of your application, please provide clear, specific examples of your previous experience that demonstrate your suitability for the role of Cover Supervisor. This might include:

• Experience leading or supervising groups of students, including those with complex or additional needs
• Examples of supporting learning, maintaining engagement, or managing classroom behaviour
• Situations where you’ve worked independently or collaboratively to ensure positive outcomes for pupils

Providing these examples will help us understand your impact, skills, and readiness to thrive in this role.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a dedicated team at Brookthorpe Hall School, supporting students to achieve their potential in a nurturing and structured environment.

About Us

Brookthorpe Hall School is a growing school and caters for Autistic pupils aged 7-16. With almost 50 pupils, we are searching for someone to help us make a difference. We have a shared vision where we aim to build incredible futures by empowering neurodiverse pupils to be happy and make their way in the world.

Our growing school delivers a structured programme of education, tailored to each student’s individual needs and considering their Education, Health and Care plans. Students are taught in small cohorts and individually, by fully qualified teachers and instructors. We provide inclusive education within a safe, nurturing environment where pupil’s needs are met.

For over 19 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the second year running.

Why join Options Autism?

We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
• And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:
• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications