Cover Instructor

COVER INSTRUCTOR

32.92 hours per week, plus 1 training day a year of 6.5 hours.
Term-time only (37 weeks per annum).
Pay Scale 5 (Points 23 – 28): £35,301 – £40,340 FTE
Pro-rata actual salary 74.49% of FTE = £26,296 – £30,049 per annum
Our preferred hours are Monday – Friday 8.30am to 3.40pm, however these are negotiable.
Start date September 2026.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking an enthusiastic, resilient, and confident Cover Supervisor to join our supportive team at Catmose College, a high‑performing secondary school within the Rutland and District Schools’ Federation.

This role is ideal for someone with at least two years’ experience working with young people in an educational setting, who are confident managing classrooms and ensuring high‑quality learning continues when teachers are absent. It is particularly well suited to individuals considering a future career in teaching.

The Cover Instructor’s primary responsibility is to maintain continuity of teaching and learning during short‑term and longer‑term teacher absence by leading classes, delivering cover, and, where required, planning and delivering learning under supervision.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Delivering pre‑planned lessons during teacher absence, maintaining high expectations for behaviour and learning
• Confidently leading and managing whole classes across a range of subjects
• For longer‑term absence, planning and delivering lessons under the guidance of a qualified teacher
• Promoting a calm, purposeful learning environment and positive behaviour for learning
• Working closely with teaching staff and subject leaders to ensure consistency and progress

This role offers strong professional support and development and provides an excellent foundation for those aspiring to train as a teacher.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

You will benefit from a comprehensive induction programme alongside ongoing professional development throughout the year. We are committed to supporting your growth and helping you build the skills and confidence needed to succeed and progress within education.

WHY JOIN US?

Cover Instructors work term-time only, enjoying all Federation school holidays. You will be part of a supportive, high-performing team within a thriving Federation.

Our facilities are outstanding, including purpose-built science laboratories, excellent learning resources, and a highly developed technology-led learning environment.

Catmose College is part of the Rutland and District Schools’ Federation, which includes Catmose College, Catmose Primary, and Harington School. This provides wider professional opportunities and the chance to gain experience across different educational settings.

Staff Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, staff benefit from:

• A strong commitment to continued professional development
• Priority admission for children of staff to the College
• Outstanding facilities and resources
• Opportunities to support extracurricular trips and activities
• Membership of the highly regarded Local Government Pension Scheme
• Subsidised restaurant, refectory, and orangery
• Complimentary lunch on staff training days
• Cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme
• Free on-site parking
• A commitment to flexible working and inclusive employment practices
• An on-site gym for staff use

If you have any questions regarding the role, please contact Claire Pugh (Vice Principal), who may be contacted via email cpugh@catmosecollege.com.

JOB PURPOSE

The Cover Instructor role is to support the learning of students to ensure their achievements are outstanding. When teachers are absent, they will deliver lessons prepared by teachers. In areas of their expertise, they will also plan and deliver lessons, usually to small groups but also to whole classes when needed, under the guidance of a teacher.

DUTIES

Duties may be modified by the Executive Principal, in consultation with the instructor, to reflect or anticipate changes in the job, commensurate with the salary and job title on an annual basis. Please also refer to the Job Description for Teaching Assistants.

TEACHING AND LEARNING

• To support students as specified in the job description for Teaching Assistants.
• To instruct students in the work prepared by a teacher to classes of students in the event of staff absence.
• To support groups of students or individuals under the direction of the teacher to ensure they make outstanding progress.
• In areas of their expertise (A level and degree subjects) plan and deliver lessons to small and whole class groups of students supported by a teacher. It is anticipated this will not be more than 50% of the workload in any working week and planning and preparation time will be given to support this work.
• To collaborate with teachers to adapt work for students to meet students’ needs under the guidance of a teacher.
• To develop their own practice through the support and training provided by the Federation, with the aim to become a qualified teacher.
• Carry out appropriate assessment, and give feedback to parents through reports and progress evenings*.

FEDERATION

• To familiarise yourself and comply with the Federation rules, policies and procedures in force including those contained in the Staff Handbook.
• Support the vision and ethos of the Federation.
• Uphold routines for learning and uniform.
• Contribute to monitoring and evaluating the success of the Federation.
• To proactively respond to issues identified in the Transformation Plan to bring about sustained improvement.
• Contribute to the range of extra-curricular opportunities on offer to students.
• Any other reasonable duties as requested by the Executive Principal.

SAFEGUARDING, HEALTH AND SAFETY

The Federation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students in our care and expects all staff to share this commitment.  We provide safeguarding training to all staff on an annual basis.  All staff are responsible for ensuring safeguarding, health and safety policies are implemented in line with Federation policy and current legislation. Please familiarise yourself with our Safeguarding Policy, available online at www.rutlandfederation.com/policies

This position advertised is a ‘regulated position’ which means it will involve regular contact with children and young people; under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 it is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.  This position is also ‘exempt’ from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.  Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.  We are an equal opportunities employer.

OTHER DUTIES

This job description sets out the main duties associated with the stated purpose of the post.  It is assumed that other duties of a similar nature undertaken within the role are not excluded because they are not itemised.

COVER INSTRUCTOR PERSON SPECIFICATION

	Required	Desirable	Evidence
QUALIFICATIONS	A basic level of education with at least 5 good GCSEs including English and mathematics.   Completion of a level 3 or higher qualification.   A degree or equivalent professional qualification in a subject area of the Federation.	Evidence of an interest in continued training with a likely aim to qualify as a teacher.	Letter of application and interview including evidence of examination results.
EXPERIENCE	A good understanding of the importance of meeting individual learning requirements and some understanding of current educational issues.   At least 1 years’ school experience of supporting students with demonstrable impact.	Successful experience in a school or college of supporting students or delivering whole class teaching.   Clear practical strategies for supporting students.   Experience of monitoring and evaluating learning.	Interviews   References   Portfolio of work   Letter of application
FEDERATION REVIEW		Has evidence of monitoring and intervening with students to improve their performance.	Letter of application and interview
LIASION	An ability to work with students.   Good listening skills, the ability to communicate effectively and to work as part of a team.	Has established excellent relationships with a range of stakeholders including teachers, students and parents.	References   Interviews   Letter of application
STAFF DEVELOPMENT	An understanding of the importance of training.   A proven desire to improve, with recent evidence of certified professional development.	Has evidence of continued professional development relevant to their subject area.	References   Interviews   Letter of application

 

HOW TO APPLY

 

Application forms and information are available online at www.rutlandfederation.com or by emailing office@rutlandfederation.com

• You should write a letter of application on no more than 2 sides of A4.
• You should complete all sections of the application form.
• On the form clearly state the names, addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of two professional referees; it is our usual practice to ask for references before shortlisting and always to ask for references before interviews.
• It is a condition of employment that you can provide proof of identity and qualifications gained.
• Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. 
• Further information is within our Staff Recruitment Policy which can be found online at rutlandfederation.com/policies

Please note that due to the high number of applications we receive for positions, your application is unlikely to be considered if you do not follow these requirements. CVs are not accepted.

The closing date is 9am on Monday 15 June 2026.

You should send your application to Stuart Williams, Executive Principal, Catmose College, Huntsmans Drive, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6RP.  Applications can also be emailed to office@rutlandfederation.com