Cover Supervisor Advide

[GreyCloudsToday]

Hello

I'm an academic researcher with a PhD in social science. Usually I work on 1 year fixed term research contracts with universities. I planned my next year around my pregnancy which I sadly miscarried (I suffer recurrent miscarriage unfortunately which makes timing contracts a nightmare). So I'm looking for flexible work by the day to top up funds for maybe 3-6 months. A friend suggested a cover supervisor role at a school might suit?

I have limited experience being an undergraduate seminar tutor, giving a couple of guest lectures, and around 12 years ago I did some freelance youth work. Plenty of experience of presenting my research at conferences / running workshops and seminars of my own design (with grown-ups though).

I just wanted to ask for advice and opinions. Is it likely I could go into a cover supervisor role without having been a TA first? Any tips on how to approach agencies etc? Feel free to tell me it's a mad / bad idea...

[GreyCloudsToday]

Whoops, apologies for the title typo....

[G1raffe]

Absolutely nothing like presenting or seminars unfortunately!

Could you arrange a day or two to shadow a teacher in school perhaps to see what it's like.

a lot of it as a cover supervisor will be "crowd control."

[Caulkheadupnorf]

You could do it without being a TA. That’s fine.
It depends on how you are with teenagers really though. I did some cover supervising for a while and found it hard to have respect as it’s basically the equivalent of having a supply teacher in, but one with less experience...
You can end up covering most subjects and so don’t get to build up a relationship with the class and know how to manage them. I was employed by the school (local council website jobs) but just googling “cover supervisor supply agency” and then your town will bring up some agencies.

[ohreallyohreallyoh]

You essentially supervise work that has been set by the teacher. You need to be able to keep bums on seats and keep classes quiet enough to be getting on. Do you have a DBS? That can take 4 weeks to arrive. Agencies will promise work to get you on their books but whether they deliver or not is another issue. I am new to supply and have been so far lucky and worked every day but know of teachers who have not had work yet this year.

[WhataHexIgotinto]

I'm a cover supervisor in a middle school and you really need to have good behaviour management or the kids will annihilate you, quite honestly.

I love my job and I was a TA at my school for 4 years before taking on this role. I'm certain I got it because I'm hot on behaviour.