Cover Supervisor

Protocol Education Limited; North East; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Flexible schedule

Training & CPD

Development opportunities

Supportive team

Job summary

Protocol Education is seeking proactive Cover Supervisors to work across a range of secondary schools in Durham and Sunderland. The role offers flexible day‑to‑day or long‑term placements to fit your lifestyle and career goals.

You'll deliver pre‑planned lessons in the absence of the class teacher, maintain student engagement and support a safe, positive learning environment. This role is ideal for graduates, Teaching Assistants, or those with youth‑focussed experience seeking a route into

Qualifications

• Experience with supervising students in a classroom setting.
• Ability to follow pre‑planned lesson plans and adapt where needed.
• Strong classroom presence and positive behaviour management.

Responsibilities

• Supervise lessons across a variety of subjects.
• Deliver work set by teaching staff.
• Manage classroom behaviour positively and effectively.
• Encourage student engagement and participation.
• Support pupils to remain focused and productive.
• Follow safeguarding and school policies.
• Build positive relationships with students and staff.
• Create a safe and supportive learning environment.

Skills

Classroom management

Student engagement

Behaviour management

Communication skills

Job description

Cover Supervisor | Flexible School Opportunities Across Durham & Sunderland

Looking for a Rewarding Career in Education?

Are you considering a future in teaching? Perhaps you're a recent graduate, an experienced Teaching Assistant ready for the next step, or someone with experience working with young people who is looking for a rewarding role in schools.

At Protocol Education, we're recruiting confident, enthusiastic and motivated Cover Supervisors to work across a range of Secondary Schools throughout Durham, Sunderland, Chester-le-Street, Consett, Stanley, Seaham and Peterlee.

Whether you're looking for flexible day-to-day work, regular weekly assignments, or a long-term position, we can help you find opportunities that suit your lifestyle and career goals.

Why Choose Cover Supervision?

Cover Supervisors play a vital role in schools, ensuring learning continues when a teacher is absent.

For many educators, Cover Supervision is one of the best ways to gain valuable classroom experience while developing confidence and understanding of school life.

It's particularly popular amongst:

• Graduates considering teacher training
• Aspiring Teachers
• Sports Coaches
• Youth Workers
• Behaviour Mentors
• Teaching Assistants
• Learning Support Assistants
• Individuals with experience working with young people

Not only will you gain hands‑on classroom experience, but you'll also develop transferable skills that can open doors to teaching, pastoral, SEND and leadership opportunities in the future.

Why Choose Supply Work?

No two days are the same.

Working on a flexible supply basis allows you to experience different schools, year groups and educational environments while developing your confidence, classroom presence and behaviour management skills.

You'll gain exposure to:

• Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 classrooms
• Mainstream Secondary Schools
• Specialist SEND Provisions
• SEMH Settings
• Alternative Provisions
• Behaviour Support Strategies
• Classroom Management Techniques
• School Policies and Procedures

Many of our Cover Supervisors secure long‑term placements and permanent school positions after building relationships with local schools.

Supply work allows you to discover which educational setting suits you best while maintaining flexibility and work‑life balance.

Your Role

As a Cover Supervisor, you'll be responsible for delivering pre‑planned lessons in the absence of the class teacher and ensuring students remain engaged with their learning.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Supervising lessons across a variety of subjects
• Delivering work set by teaching staff
• Managing classroom behaviour positively and effectively
• Encouraging student engagement and participation
• Supporting pupils to remain focused and productive
• Following safeguarding and behaviour policies
• Building positive relationships with students and staff
• Creating a safe and supportive learning environment

You won't be expected to plan lessons or mark work, allowing you to focus on developing your classroom experience and confidence.

A Fantastic Route Into Teaching

Many Cover Supervisors use this role as a stepping stone into teaching and wider education careers.

Previous candidates have progressed into:

• PGCE Programmes
• Schools Direct
• Teacher Apprenticeships
• SCITT Routes
• Teaching Assistant Roles
• SEND Support Positions
• Behaviour Mentor Roles
• Permanent Teaching Positions

This role provides the classroom experience that schools, universities and teacher training providers actively look for.

You will develop:

• Classroom Management Skills
• Behaviour Management Strategies
• Communication and Leadership Skills
• Confidence Working with Young People
• Adaptability and Resilience
• A Strong Understanding of Secondary Education
• Valuable School‑Based Experience

Who We're Looking For

We welcome applications from candidates with a variety of backgrounds and experiences.

You may have experience in:

• Education
• Youth Work
• Sports Coaching
• Support Work
• Mentoring
• Tutoring
• Care Work
• Community Projects
• Voluntary Work with Young People

The ideal candidate will be:

• Passionate about supporting young people
• Interested in working within education
• Confident leading a classroom
• Adaptable and resilient
• A strong communicator
• Professional and reliable
• Keen to learn and develop

Previous classroom experience is beneficial but not essential. We provide guidance and support throughout your journey.

What Protocol Education Offers

When you join Protocol Education, you'll benefit from:

• Competitive daily pay rates
• Flexible work around your schedule
• Opportunities across Durham and Sunderland
• Daily supply and long‑term placements
• Access to Secondary, SEND and Alternative Provision settings
• Free CPD and accredited training
• Ongoing professional development
• A dedicated education consultant who understands local schools
• Opportunities to progress into teaching and permanent education roles
• A supportive team focused on helping you succeed

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further details.

All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.

Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.

We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.

Full assistance provided. For details of our privacy policy, please see visit the Protocol Education website.