Cover Supervisor (BIR051BC)

Birch Wood (Melton Area Special School), Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE13 1HA

14 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  January 2027

• Closing date

  21 October 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  7 October 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teaching assistant
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Part time
• Contract type: Fixed term
• Full time equivalent salary: £27,717.00 - £29,076.00 Annually (FTE) Approximate starting salary of £14,607.60

Cover Supervisor (BIR051BC) job summary

Cover Supervisor

Birch Wood (Melton Area Special School) - Where a Love of Learning Grows
Salary: Grade 7 Pay Point 11-14 (£27,717 - £29,076 per annum, approximate starting salary of £14,607.60)

Hours: 19.5 hours per week, 52 weeks per year
Contract Type: Fixed term until end of the academic year 2027

Working Pattern:

Wednesday: 08:40 - 12:00/12:40 - 15:40

Thursday: 08:40 - 12:00/12:40 - 15:40

Friday: 08:40 - 12:00/12:40 - 15:40

About the Role

We are looking to appoint a highly motivated and driven cover supervisor to provide cover across and to contribute to high quality teaching and learning in order to help pupils achieve their full potential.

Why Choose Birch Wood (Melton Area Special School)?

Joining Birch Wood means becoming part of a warm, committed and highly collaborative community where staff are supported to thrive professionally and personally.

Why Work With Us?

• A caring, nurturing and ambitious culture with no limits placed on pupil potential.
• Small class sizes, strong staffing ratios, and a multi‑disciplinary approach.
• Access to in-house specialists and a wide range of therapies
• High-quality professional development and opportunities across all phases (4-19)
• A creative and outward looking school that works closely with families, external agencies and its local community.

“Staff are proud to work at the school. They benefit from highly effective training opportunities. They appreciate the school’s efforts to support their workload and promote their well-being.” - OFSTED

Key Responsibilities

• In the absence of a teacher, to supervise a class of students, ensuring they are engaged in learning activity that has been set by a teacher. This may include explaining the work to be completed and answering questions from pupils to ensure that they understand what is required of them.
• To liaise with teachers / other relevant staff with regard to work set for a class.
• To feedback to the relevant teacher on pupil engagement in the set work and also on any issues that may have arisen during the covered lesson(s).
• To help prepare, monitor and maintain a safe and secure learning environment in line with the teacher’s lesson plans.
• To support the maintenance of an activity bank, and draw upon this in the event that pupils complete the pre-set work more quickly than expected, in order to ensure that pupils are engaged in constructive activity throughout the period of cover.

What We’re Looking For

Qualifications:

• NVQ 3 in Supporting Teaching and Learning, or equivalent, OR Able to demonstrate the ability to meet the STL Level 3 National Occupational Standards relevant to this post.
• Level 2 qualifications in maths/numeracy and English/literacy OR Able to demonstrate competency in literacy and numeracy equivalent to level 2.

Experience:

• Experience of working with students in a formal setting

Skills & Knowledge:

• Knowledge of child protection and health and safety procedures.
• Ability and willingness to undertake professional development.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to effectively manage pupil behaviour in accordance with school policy and procedure.

Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification to support your application.

Why Join Us?

Professional Growth & Support

• Ongoing professional development opportunities.
• Access to learning networks and visits to other organisations.
• Supportive leadership and a highly committed team.
• Highly committed and motivated Team.
• A role which has the opportunity to make a real difference whilst having fun.
• A established Central Services Team who support schools and wider colleagues.

Work-Life & Wellbeing Benefits

• Flexible working options.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• Defined benefit pension scheme.
• Be an integral member of the team in a vibrant school.
• Create an outstanding learning environment for the success of all of our children.
• Play a significant part in continuing to develop our school.
• Be part of a wider community of Discovery Schools Trust.
• Free childcare.

Additional Perks

• Free parking.
• Cycle-to-work scheme.
• Gym discounts.
• Eyecare vouchers.
• Dental support.
• Retail discounts.
• Annual incremental pay increases within the pay scale.

Equal Opportunities & Accessibility

We welcome enquiries from everyone and value diversity in our workforce.
Applications are welcome from all sections of the community regardless of gender identity, ethnic origin, disability, age or sexual orientation. If you require assistance completing your application, please contact hrsupport@discoverytrust.org for support.

Depending on your role, occasional travel between Discovery locations may be required. A valid driving license and appropriate business insurance are necessary, and you will need to provide evidence of these documents

More about Discovery Schools Trust

Discovery Schools Trust is dedicated to improving learning and teaching by creating a culture that promotes excellence. The needs of all children are placed at the heart of all decision making regardless of the school they attend. Teaching and learning excellence are shared through learning networks, sharing of ideas and materials as well as leading practitioners between schools. Discovery has developed a school improvement system which focuses on improving outcomes for all children. It also places staff development, talent management and succession planning at the heart of achieving outstanding organisations.

Please note that interviews for this position may be made earlier than the stated closing date if a suitable candidate is identified. Therefore, we encourage interested applicants to submit their applications promptly. Early submission will not only ensure consideration for the position but also increase the likelihood of being invited for an interview. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to receiving your application.

Safeguarding Statement

We are committed to safeguarding our pupils; therefore, the successful applicant will require an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and references.

AI

While we acknowledge the advantages of AI in crafting personal statements for applications, we strongly encourage and expect applicants to personalise and tailor responses. Please note that the Trust may utilise AI checking solutions during the application review process and will be considered when shortlisting.

Apply Now!
If you are ready to make a difference in children's lives, apply today!

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

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

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 Birch Wood (Melton Area Special School)

• Organisation type: Academy, ages 4 to 19
• Size: 246 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 4 to 19
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: Birch Wood (Melton Area Special School) website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/birch-wood-melton-area-special-school-melton-mowbray

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