Cover Supervisor – Secondary Education | North East
As a Cover Supervisor, you will supervise classes during the short-term absence of teaching staff, ensuring pupils remain on task and follow the work set. You will play a key role in maintaining continuity of learning and a positive classroom environment across the school day. Join Secondary Schools in Gateshead, Sunderland & Washington.
As a Cover Supervisor
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Supervise whole classes across a range of subjects when regular teachers are absent.
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Deliver pre-planned lessons and activities set by teaching staff, ensuring students remain focused and engaged.
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Manage classroom behaviour in line with individual school policies.
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Take registers, report attendance and flag any concerns or issues to school staff.
Being a Cover Supervisor with Schools Mutual Services (SMS) requires flexibility, as roles are often temporary or short-term and may involve working across different schools in the local area. The role also includes covering lessons across a range of subjects, offering variety and a dynamic working environment while supporting schools through an ethical, not-for-profit service.
Ideal Candidate
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Experience working with children or young people (e.g., in schools, youth work, tutoring).
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Ability to manage groups effectively and follow existing lesson plans.
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Strong communication and organisational skills.
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A proactive, adaptable approach with a positive attitude.
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Enhanced DBS check (or willingness to obtain one prior to placement).
Why Work with Schools Mutual Services?
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You will be part of a not-for-profit organisation that reinvests in education rather than profit, helping keep costs fair for schools while ensuring educators are treated with respect and transparency.
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All SMS supply roles are offered on PAYE contracts with weekly pay and aligned to national pay scales.
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You’ll have access to ongoing support, training & wellbeing resources designed to help you grow confidently in your role.
How to Apply
Click Apply Now and upload your CV. A member of our team will contact you to discuss your application and next steps.
Contact Information
For more information about this role, contact Sarah on 0191 933 8300.
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About SMS
Schools Mutual Services (SMS) is a not-for-profit supply staffing agency, owned and managed by schools. It was created to deliver ethical, transparent, and cost-effective staffing solutions across the education sector. Unlike commercial agencies, SMS keeps spend in the education system, helping schools protect their budgets while ensuring supply educators receive fair pay, professional development, and alignment to national pay scales.
With regional hubs covering the whole of the North East, East Midlands and the South East, Schools Mutual Services works with executive leaders in schools and academies across Newcastle, Durham, Gateshead, Sunderland, Northumberland, South Shields, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicester, Oxfordshire, Swindon and Berkshire.
Each hub is embedded within its local education community, working in partnership with schools, academies, multi-academy trusts and teaching alliances such as OTSA, to deliver tailored supply staffing support across primary and secondary education, whether that is day-to-day supply teaching or long-term placements.
From multi academy trusts to community primary and special schools, SMS is helping educational establishments navigate financial pressures with a smarter, more cost-effective and sustainable solution for supply teachers and supply support staff, that puts pupil outcomes first.