The Role of a Cover Supervisor

A cover supervisor works across the school supervising classes in the absence of a member of staff. 
They deliver work that has been set by a teacher and manage the classroom ensuring that all pupils remain on task and behave well. A cover supervisor’s role is not to teach – you are there to guide the pupils through the work that has been left.

What do schools expect of you?

• Fulfil the duty of care towards the pupils 
• Be flexible
• Be organised
• Be prepared
• Be professional

In order to carry out a duty of care to all pupils, the following should be adhered to:

• Register the pupils in the class which may be taken using SIMS software.
• Know where the pupils in your care are at all times – if a child leaves the classroom for any reason e.g. toilet break or appointment, write down their name and the times they left and returned to the classroom. It may be helpful to know the rules regarding toilet breaks during lesson time.
• Find out the school’s emergency, safeguarding and discipline procedures. This information should be provided when you arrive at the school. If not, ask for them.
• If you have any safeguarding concerns, report them to the Safeguarding Officer within the school. The school office can let you know who to report to.
• Do not take any pupil information home with you, leave it at the school. Log out of any devices you have used at the end of the session as it may contain pupil data.

Be Flexible - Flexibility is key to the role of being a cover supervisor. Always face changes and challenges with a smile. Your timetable may change as the school needs to respond to staffing changes and you may find yourself supervising a subject outside your subject knowledge. Should this happen, use the resources available to assist you.

Be Organised - Being organised is fundamental. Arrive at the school early enough to collect your timetable for the day, familiarise yourself with the school information pack and know who you should report to should any problems arise (e.g. a senior member of staff). Make sure you have the necessary log-ins and passwords and find out where your lessons are. Your classes may be at opposite ends of the school 
building, so either use the map in the information pack or ask for directions. In addition, it is a good idea to find out when the sessions start and end, as timekeeping is essential to the smooth running 
of your day.

Be Prepared - Usually work will be set ready for you. However, occasionally this may not be the case. Should this happen, ask a pupil to go to the nearest classroom (ensuring it is the same subject) and ask the teacher for work for the lesson. In the meantime, use your initiative and have activities ready to engage the class while advice is being sought, or alternatively, do a re-cap on the previous lesson. In addition to this, remember to carry your own personal equipment especially a board pen!

Be Professional - Always be a good role model to the classes that you supervise. Adhere to the expectations of the school and carry out the lessons provided. Dress appropriately at all times (smart/ casual) and do not wear jeans or trainers. It is also a good idea to ensure that your mobile phone is switched off and put away and only used during authorised breaks. It is vital that you do not use slang words or phrases, as they can be misinterpreted and do not talk about your personal life, as this compromises your professional persona.

Your role within each session is to:
• Greet the pupils at the door and oversee the entry of the students
• Use the seating plan if there is one
• Introduce yourself to the class
• Take the register

For each lesson you should be expected to facilitate the lesson, meaning you would follow a lesson plan and most probably revise a concept already taught, with pupils. On most occasions you would not be teaching a brand new topic.

Facilitating would look like:
• Managing the behaviour of the class in line with the school’s behaviour policy.
• Answering any questions pupils may have on their work.
• Checking that each pupil is making adequate effort and progress within the lesson.
• Deal with any immediate problems or emergencies in line with school procedures.
 
Introduction of the lesson – Hand out resources and explain the objective of the lesson. Explain what stage pupils need to demonstrate by the end of the lesson. Also explain behaviour expectations.

Body of the lesson – The two areas that need to be maintained are: pupils working on task and that the behaviour is positive and focused on work. Maintain this with lots of positives.

End of the lesson – Maximising transition points and packing away effectively, will make sure behaviour is managed properly. Ask a couple of students to collect material whilst the rest of the class packs away. Make sure you leave the area tidy and report back as appropriate on any issues that arose during the lesson. Hint – give yourself enough time so that pupils arrive to their next lesson on time.

Managing behaviour is a core skill when being an effective cover supervisor. Always read the school’s behaviour policy on arrival at the school which will equip you with all you will need to know about the school’s behaviour procedures (including rewards and sanctions).
As a cover supervisor you will continually meet new classes, so establishing your behavioural expectations is key. Here are some tips on how to do this:
• First impressions count – show enthusiasm and control.
• Keep on the move during the lesson and try to maximise your view of all pupils at all times – generally keeping to the outside of the class is a good idea.
• Be direct and precise with instructions.
• Do not try to talk over pupils. Before giving instructions, gain the attention of the whole class. Wait for this attention, stop if necessary, wait then continue. Shouting strains your voice and does not ensure listening if used regularly.
• Be sure to follow through on consequences of poor behaviour.
• Be consistent and fair. If you allow one pupil to do something, you are going to have to allow others.
• Be positive and use praise whenever possible.
• Knowing the names of the pupils makes a difference, so try to learn as many as you can as quickly as you can. Some lessons may require the pupils to talk to one another. Explain that a sensible noise level will need to be maintained.
• Use ice breakers to start the lesson to settle the pupils and mop up activities to end the lesson.
• Make sure you make contact with the staff around you – they will often pre-warn you about certain students.

For more information on behaviour management and strategies, all our candidates can carry out SET Recruitment’s ‘Positive Behaviour Support’ course found on our training portal. 

In your role, circumstances may arise where physical contact with pupils may ‘appear’ appropriate e.g. a pupil’s behaviour could become threatening or violent or you may need to comfort a distressed child.
It is essential that you are fully aware of the Welsh Assembly’s Advice on ‘Use of Reasonable Force’, as this gives clarity on proper physical contact with pupils.
This is to be used in conjunction with the behaviour policy specific to the school that you are working in and be aware that some schools do operate on a no-touching policy. These policies exist to protect both you and the pupils in your care.
Safe and Effective Intervention - use of reasonable force and searching for weapons
In addition, you may want to keep the following in mind:
• When a pupil is upset, try to calm them by talking to them. If this does not work, it may be appropriate to call for another member of staff.
• If a student is angry, avoid actions which might trigger an escalation e.g. it may be calming to stand close to the pupil – at the side not in front. Try to avoid eye contact and try to distract the pupil by giving them a simple task or job.
• Do not be alone in a classroom with a pupil. If this is unavoidable, leave the door open.

Finally, follow up everything at the end of the day with pupils and make sure the pupil’s work is left on the teacher’s desk and visible for them to see. 
Say goodbye to the staff, especially the Cover Manager/ Co-ordinator and secretary and thank them for your day!