Cover Manager - Worthing High School

Cover Manager

Salary: Grade 6 point 9 - Actual salary: £15,865.11 [£27,254 FTE/Full year]

Location: Worthing High School

Contract: Permanent - Part-time position - 7 am – 12 noon - 25 hours per week - Monday to Friday 39 weeks per year (Term time only)

Accountability: Reports to the SLT line manager

Role description

To be responsible for, and in liaison with the SLT line manager, ensuring lessons are covered daily due to staff sickness or other absence. Taking calls from staff and recording reasons for absence on the Trust’s MIS (SIMS and Every). Managing supply staff logistics within agreed budget limits.

Qualifications and Experience

Educated to GCSE Standard (A*-C) or equivalent, including English and Maths

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Proven organisational and time-management skills
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines
• Ability to manage confidential information appropriately
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office, specifically Google, Outlook, Word and Excel
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

For an initial discussion or for further information, please contact Elena Elsam, Director of People on eelsam@sdetrust.net

Key Responsibilities

The key responsibilities for the role are detailed below, and in addition the role will include other reasonable duties as determined by the Headteacher.

1. Daily Operations

• Operate and manage an organised cover system daily to ensure all lessons for absent teachers and departments are covered. 7am cut off for staff to call in.
• Liaise with Cover Supervisor team, allocating work to the team, and arranging for supply teachers to come in if necessary. Monitor to check completion of tasks.
• Ensure cover work is present in the correct folders and liaise with Heads of Department to resolve any issues.
• Set cover work as necessary.
• Arrange and provide a morning briefing for external supply teachers, including signing them in, ID checks, agreed training, and providing relevant SIMS and IT network access.
• Ensure emergency cover contingency is arranged for non-working hours

2. Strategic and Administrative Responsibilities

• Maintain daily dialogue with the Director of People regarding staff absences to ensure accurate reporting and share staff welfare concerns for early intervention and support.
• Organise statutory and paid duties in line with directives from the Deputy Head.
• Organise staff supervision for mock and formal exams.
• Liaise with trip leaders and EVC to ensure staffing, including staff ratio and first aid cover, is within trip regulations.
• Liaise with subject leads for moderation days.
• Manage lunch duty cover and room bookings.
• Process and secure approval for planned absence application forms with the line manager, SLT, and Head Teacher.
• Utilise SIMS and Every systems for managing external staff details (supply) and organising planned absences.
• Review supply costs to maintain them at a minimum.
• Organising Focus days (with SLT lead)

3. Team and Relationship Management

• Develop and maintain good relationships with colleagues at all times
• Maintain strict confidentiality at all times regarding staff welfare concerns and other sensitive information

Person Specification

Personal Qualities

• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Proactive and helpful attitude towards staff, students and parents
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Self-motivated

• Reliable, punctual, and committed to high standards of work.

Values and Professional Conduct

• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Respect for confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Alignment with the school’s ethos and values.
• Willingness to engage in training and continuous development.
• Commitment to providing excellent service to pupils, families, and other staff.

What We Offer

• A collaborative and supportive working environment, with access to senior leadership and decision-making processes.
• The chance to make a lasting impact on the lives of staff and students.
• Competitive salary package and benefits aligned with sector standards.
• The chance to work in a DfE Attendance and Behaviour Hub Lead school.

Benefits

• A friendly and supportive environment.
• The opportunity to work with well-motivated students and supportive parents and staff.
• A location on the coast very close to main line railway services and road networks.
• Free well-being and medical support cover.
• The opportunity to be part of the South Downs Education Trust MAT.
• Free use of our fitness suite.

How to apply

If you feel you have the necessary skills for this position and would like further information, an application form and job description can be downloaded from the links provided on the school website at https://www.worthinghigh.net/join-us/careers

Completed application forms should be sent to Mr Adrian Cook, Headteacher at Worthing High School at vacancies@sdetrust.net by Monday 22 June 2026 at 9 am.

.Interview dates will be provided to shortlisted candidates.