Cover Teacher
Harris Garrard Academy, Erith, Kent, DA18 4DW9 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
26 March 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
17 March 2026
Job details
Job role
- Learning support or cover supervisor
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £28,289 - £33,474
Pay scale
- UQT 1-3 (Outer London) + £1,500 Harris Allowance
Additional allowances
Performance and Loyalty Bonus + Pension Scheme (TPS) + Harris Wellbeing Cash Plan + Additional Harris Benefits
What skills and experience we're looking for
We are looking to appoint a resourceful Cover Teacher at Harris Garrard Academy to provide classroom cover in the absence of teachers. This role will likely suit you if you have previous experience in a similar role, providing cover within an educational establishment.
We would like to hear from you if you have:
- Qualifications to A Level standard or equivalent
- Knowledge of strategies to recognise and reward efforts and achievements towards self-reliance that are appropriate to the age and development stage of the students
- Basic knowledge of SEN and other learning barriers
- Strong organisation and time management skills
- Relevant experience in successfully supervising groups of children aged 11-16
- Previous experience in a school or comparable large organisation
- Understanding of a secondary school environment
- Ability to provide classroom cover – within agreed parameters – in the absence of the class teacher
- Ability to consistently and effectively implement agreed behaviour management strategies
- Ability to use language and other communication skills that students can understand and relate to
- Ability to establish positive relationships with students and empathise with their needs
- Ability to demonstrate active listening skills
- Ability to provide levels of individual attention, reassurance and help with learning tasks as appropriate to students' needs, encouraging the students to stay on task
- Ability to monitor the students' response to the learning activities and, where appropriate, modify/adapt activities agreed with the teacher to achieve the intended learning outcomes
What the school offers its staff
Harris Garrard Academy is a new school with drive and ambition. Located in the wider South Thamesmead area, we cater to a vastly vibrant 3-19 aged student community. Accessible by fantastic rail and bus transport links and very soon to be on the opening leg of the Elizabeth Line, the academy's stunning working environment is within a purpose-built school designed by Norman Foster and nominated for the Stirling Prize for architecture in 2004.
We also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance for teachers on MPS/UPS, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits.
Teacher Development
At Harris, we have curated professional development pathways that will guide you towards achieving your career ambitions. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. With a strong network of passionate educators, expert development initiatives and a multitude of opportunities for career progression, your journey with Harris could be the most rewarding one yet.
We offer a wide range of high quality teacher professional development programmes via the Harris Institute of Teaching and Leadership.
Benefits
In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance (usually £2,000 for Inner London and £1,500 for Outer London), a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Teachers Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan, Employee Assistance Programme, and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.
Flexible working opportunities
We are committed to fostering a positive and supportive working environment for our staff, recognising that achieving a balance between professional and personal responsibilities is essential. We understand that each individual's circumstances are unique, which is why we offer flexible working options that can be adapted to meet the needs of both the academy and our employees.
Further information about the job
Your key duties will be:
- To supervise lessons for absent teachers
- To allocate, explain and oversee cover work set
- To report to the relevant Cover Manager any deficiencies with cover work set to include quality or appropriateness of cover
- To offer general assistance to students in completing cover work in class
- To follow the academy's in class behaviour management and referral systems.
- To organise the days lessons efficiently in advance so that they run as smoothly as possible
- When not engaged in carrying out cover, to undertake administrative or student support duties at the direction of the line manager or the relevant Vice Principal
- Occasional supervision of post-16 students in their study base
- To take registers in all lessons and promptly report any in lesson absences
- To liaise directly with teachers to ensure cover lessons are delivered to a high quality
Commitment to safeguarding
The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.
Applying for the job
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Harris Garrard Academy
- School type
- Academy, ages 4 to 18
- Education phase
- All through school
- School size
- 1538 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 4 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Harris Garrard Academy website
- Email address
- careers@harrisfederation.org.uk
- Phone number
- 0208 320 4800
Harris Garrard Academy is an all-through 3–18 academy with approximately 1350 pupils on roll and joined the Harris Federation as a sponsored academy in September 2017. The academy is based in Thamesmead in a purpose built building. We are now on a journey towards “Outstanding”, led by highly experienced executive principals with proven track records of school transformation. Our vision is clear: nothing is impossible and everything is possible, irrespective of personal characteristics or background. Every problem has a solution. We believe we are more robust, resilient and determined as a team than as a group of individuals. We support, challenge and hold each other to account at all levels within the academy to ensure that our students achieve their potential, are motivated, engaged and fully prepared for life beyond our academy.
School location
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