Cover Supervisor

The Saint John Henry Newman Catholic School, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 4AE

11 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  January 2027

• Closing date

  9 November 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  29 October 2026

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Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher or lecturer
  • Suitable for early career teachers (656)
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Part time, full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full time equivalent salary: HCC H5.09 £28,153 FTE (subject to pro rata)

Cover Supervisor job summary

The Saint John Henry Newman School (SJHN)
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 32.5 hours per week, term-time only, plus 1 INSET day
Salary: HCC H5.09 - £28,153 FTE, pro rata
Reports to: Cover Manager

SJHN are looking for an enthusiastic, reliable and confident Cover Supervisor to keep students engaged, classrooms focused and learning on track! If you enjoy working with young people, building positive relationships and helping every student reach their potential, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. You'll play a vital role in ensuring learning continues when teachers are absent, creating a safe, supportive and positive environment where students can thrive.What you'll be doing

• Keep learning moving: Supervise classes during teachers' short-term absences and ensure students complete the work provided.

• Inspire and engage: Encourage students to participate, stay focused and make the most of their learning.

• Manage behaviour: Promote positive behaviour, maintain classroom expectations and follow school procedures.

• Support student wellbeing: Help create an inclusive environment where every student feels respected, supported and able to succeed.

• Stay organised: Register attendance, provide feedback to teaching staff and support administrative tasks when required.

• Be part of the team: Work closely with teachers, colleagues and the Cover Manager to support the smooth running of the school.

• Support school life: Assist with educational visits, school events and first aid cover following appropriate training.

What we're looking for

We're looking for someone who brings energy, initiative and a genuine passion for helping young people succeed.

You'll need:

• GCSE English and Maths at grade C/4 or above, or equivalent.

• Experience working with secondary-aged pupils in a paid or voluntary role.

• Good communication, interpersonal and organisational skills.

• Confidence using Microsoft Office and IT systems, with a willingness to learn new systems.

• The ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and adapt to changing needs.

• A positive, resilient and flexible approach, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• A strong commitment to safeguarding, equality, inclusion and pupil welfare.

• Excellent punctuality, attendance and professional standards.

• A willingness to support the school's aims, values and Catholic ethos.

Desirable: First aid training, at least one year's full-time equivalent experience working with secondary-aged children, and an understanding of relevant school policies and legislation.

Safeguarding and inclusion

The Saint John Henry Newman School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and relevant pre-employment checks.

We are committed to equality of opportunity and ensuring every student has the chance to learn, develop and achieve their potential.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Safeguarding

Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Therefore, the position is subject to safeguarding checks that will include the receipt of satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check.

Following the shortlisting stage, and prior to making a final decision, the School will collect and process information publicly available about you by conducting a brief online search using an internet search engine. We do this to ensure that the school acts in accordance with its obligations set out in Keeping Children Safe in Education.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About The Saint John Henry Newman Catholic School

• Organisation type: Academy, Roman Catholic, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• Size: 1620 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: The Saint John Henry Newman Catholic School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-saint-john-henry-newman-catholic-school

The Saint John Henry Newman Catholic School serves the North Hertfordshire Catholic community, with a wider catchment extending into Bedfordshire, East Hertfordshire and parts of Cambridgeshire. Originally a six-form entry school, it expanded to eight forms of entry in 2015 and has grown from 830 pupils in 1993 to approximately 1,600 students in 2023, including a thriving Sixth Form of around 400 students, with strong retention and external applications.

The School became part of the Diocese of Westminster Academy Trust in 2012 and has since benefitted from substantial investment in its facilities. This includes the £3.5 million Sports and Performing Arts Pavilion and a major refurbishment programme, with two new teaching blocks now fully operational, providing modern classrooms, a dedicated Sixth Form suite, enhanced IT provision, and improved Library, Dining and Hall facilities. The final phase will include landscaping and the creation of a prayer garden.

Our Mission Statement underpins all aspects of school life, emphasising the practical expression of our Catholic ethos. We are a welcoming, inclusive community where each student is valued as an individual and encouraged to achieve their full potential. While the Chapel is central to school life, our values are lived daily through strong relationships, high expectations and a culture of care, kindness and responsibility.

The School is heavily oversubscribed and has an excellent academic reputation. Students follow a broad and balanced curriculum at Key Stages 3 and 4, with a wide range of GCSE, vocational and creative options. The Sixth Form offers an extensive range of A-level and advanced vocational courses. Outcomes are consistently strong, with high pass rates across GCSE, A-level and vocational qualifications.

We place great importance on enrichment, wellbeing and personal development, supported by a comprehensive careers programme. The School has been awarded the Emotional Health and Wellbeing Kitemark and attendance is above the national average. A Section 48 inspection judged the School to be “Outstanding”, and a recent Ofsted Section 8 inspection confirmed that the School remains “Good”, with inspectors indicating it may now be “Outstanding”.

Inspectors praised our students’ exemplary behaviour, confidence and pride in their school, as well as the calm, purposeful learning environment and the culture of kindness and acceptance fostered by staff. As one Sixth Form student commented, “Whoever you are, wherever you come from and whatever you believe, you are given a warm welcome here.”

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check.

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