So, is Cover supervisor the worst job in the world then?

m,auireen you soudn great!

dh did it for a year when dd was tiny. it was bloody fantastic - no meetings no parents evenings, and they paid him as a qualified teacher

he did find it a bit boring and after a year he could hack it no more, but was very good when we had a tiny baby as he was home at 4pm evrynight

Hiya! I'm here now

It depends a lot on the school and what the general level of behaviour is like, as to quite how tough it is.

At interview I would want to know very clearly what is the average amount of cover I would do, and what is the maximum.

In my school I do 15 hrs a week cover, plus usually 2.5 hrs of form times/registrations. This is sustainable (for me in my school), and I wouldn't do more for the money I'm paid.

(Supply teachers coming in would do 25 hrs + 2.5 hrs - literally zip from one lesson to the next - I wouldn't do that.)

But also find out what else you will do with your time, and whether that will be enjoyable/rewarding for you.

I've been doing the job for almost 3 yrs, and it can be very hard at times, but it does get easier. And the students do learn to treat you differently to supply, because you are around long-term, and you do follow up on any/all incidents, and it's not worth their while to muck you about.

Having said all that generally I don't find 'cover' to be very rewarding - I think that's inherent in the very nature of the job. So I've fought quite hard to carve out some little niches/roles for myself elsewhere which give me some job satisfaction.

yes, and it depdends on level of work set. tbh its a hrad job to do wihtout experience of teahcign id say

It is tough. Can't you remember how your class used to regard supply teachers as fair game?

BUT, you will get known within the school (kids will recognise you after half term or so and play up less); teaching staff should support you and there is no marking or prep to do.

in interview, ask them about referral system for poor behaviour - i.e. how do you get support when they are causing you problems

As Roisin, she is a cover supervisor!

Until she comes along, I'll give you the feed back that I have had from the cover supervisors that work where I work.

It is a tough job. the kids will 'try it on' re behaviour, because they see a lesson with a cover supervisor (or teacher for that matter) as a 'free lesson' and will often not want to work.

Initially you will have to work very hard to make sure that you have a reputation as a person who takes no nonsense from the kids (this is also true for teachers)

You also need to be very organised, good at remembering names....names give power in a school(!), and very thorough is following school guidelines on behaviour etc