Cover Supervisor at River Academy

About This Role

River Academy opened in September 2024 with 180 students and seven students in its resource base. From September 2026, student numbers will increase again as the school welcomes its next cohort of Year 7 students. The school is currently oversubscribed, with waiting lists in all year groups, and expects continued high demand for September 2026.

You will join a strong and committed school team, contributing to the delivery of clear routines and the setting of expectations in line with the River Way. River Academy has a strong focus on calm, purposeful learning environments. Classrooms are quiet, corridors are calm. Students are expected to demonstrate good manners, strong oracy skills, and high standards of personal and academic presentation.

Reflecting this focus on consistency and high expectations, River Academy is ranked in the highest decile across all DfE attendance measures, and Sparx homework completion rates consistently exceed 98%.

River Academy is seeking to appoint a Cover Supervisor to provide effective classroom supervision during teacher absence. This is an important role in supporting continuity of learning across the school. The successful candidate will deliver work set by teaching colleagues, maintain a purposeful classroom environment and ensure students remain focused, engaged and supported throughout the lesson. The role also includes recording lesson activity, supporting behaviour expectations and contributing to the smooth running of the school day.

• Supervise classes during teacher absence and ensure students complete the work set.
• Give clear instructions to students and provide the resources needed for learning.
• Maintain a calm, orderly and purposeful classroom environment.
• Support students to remain focused and engaged in learning activities.
• Follow school behaviour systems and report concerns appropriately.
• Record attendance and provide feedback to teaching colleagues on lesson progress, engagement and any issues arising.
• Support duties, exam invigilation and wider supervision across the school day where required.

• An NVQ Level 3 qualification or equivalent.
• Good communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with students.
• Confidence in working with young people and maintaining appropriate authority in the classroom.
• A firm but friendly approach.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• An understanding of positive behaviour management.
• A flexible, responsible and professional approach.
• A commitment to safeguarding, equality and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Maiden Erlegh Trust is a growing community of schools across Berkshire and Oxfordshire, working together to deliver the best possible education for every child and young person. With around 800 staff and 5,000 students across nine schools, including primary, secondary, special, and alternative provision, we are proud of the diversity that shapes our expertise. We aim high, be inclusive, and work together.

Through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, colleagues access high-quality professional learning at every stage of their career, supported by mentoring, leadership opportunities, and our annual MET Staff Conference.

River Academy is a purpose-built secondary school serving the growing need for school places in the Reading area. Located on Richfield Avenue, the site includes specialist teaching facilities across the curriculum, including a hall, activity studio, learning resource centre, drama studio and sports studio. Classrooms are fully equipped with interactive screens and visualisers. The school has high expectations for all students and offers a wide range of extra‑curricular opportunities through its after‑school Electives programme.

• Generous pension scheme with employer contributions and auto‑enrolment into the Teachers Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Generous holiday entitlement, increasing with length of service.
• One additional personal leave day (ME Day) each year for special personal events.
• Comprehensive professional learning through the Maiden Erlegh…