About Us
Downlands Community School is a thriving, inclusive and ambitious school committed to taking every pupil beyond their lived experience. We are seeking a Cover Supervisor to make a difference to pupils who need supervision and help with their work when a teacher is unavailable, including PE and Dance lessons. Join a school where every child, and every member of staff can thrive.
At Downlands, we live our ROCKS values:
Resilience, Optimism, Community, Kindness and Self-Awareness.
Job Details
Cover Supervisor
Term Time Only 8.20am – 3:15pm Monday – Friday
30 hours per week (55 minutes unpaid break per day)
Grade 5 point 7. £18,031.99 actual salary for hours and weeks worked
Pay increase April 2026 to be advised
11 – 16, mixed, NOR – 1260
Start date: September 2026
Application closing: 9am Friday 26th June 2026
The role involves:
- Supervising pupils in lessons, ensuring a safe, orderly, and focused environment
- Delivering pre-set work and supporting pupils to complete tasks
- Managing classroom behaviour in line with school policies
- Promoting high standards of conduct, engagement, and presentation
- Ensuring classrooms and equipment are used respectfully and left tidy
- Monitoring pupil safety and reporting any incidents or concerns
- Supporting pupils across lessons, activities, and school trips
- Assisting with general administrative and school support tasks
What You Need to Succeed
We are looking for someone who:
- Has a good level of education, to support pupils aged 11–16 (including GCSE level)
- Demonstrates strong literacy and numeracy skills
- Has experience working with young people (desirable)
- Understands how pupils learn or has some teaching experience (desirable)
- Can build positive relationships whilst having a fair, consistent approach with pupils
- Has the ability to maintain authority while showing respect and earning pupils’ trust
- Is a team player with the confidence to use initiative and seek guidance when needed
- Has sound judgement, particularly when handling confidential information
- Has IT skills and willingness to learn school systems
This school and West Sussex County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service check along with other relevant employment checks, including satisfactory references. Shortlisted applicants will be subject to an online search. This is not part of the short-listing process itself, and you will get a chance to address any issues of concern that some up during the search, at interview.
Further details, application, safer recruitment and child protection policy forms can be downloaded from our website http://www.downlands.w-sussex.sch.uk under vacancies. Please send completed applications to [email protected]
Further Information
Downlands Community School and West Sussex County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service check along with other relevant employment checks, including satisfactory references.
How to Apply
To apply for this role please download the job description and application form from our website. Complete the application form and ensure that you outline your motivations for applying and explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role (please refer to the key skills in the job description). Once complete please return this to [email protected].
Should you have any questions regarding the role or the application please feel free to email us or contact us on 01273845892.
NOTE TO CANDIDATES - Please do not select the ‘Apply online’ button as the School processes your applications directly rather than through this site.
The reference number for this role is SCHO02653.
Job Reference: SCHO02653
