Classroom cover staff maintain our high standards of teaching

Across South Lincolnshire Academies Trust, we have a team of full-time Classroom Cover Instructors and Cover Managers who maintain the high standards and continuity of teaching across all subjects.

If teaching staff are absent for any period of time, such as for training, illness or personal circumstances, then the cover staff reduces the need to employ temporary external teachers who may be unfamiliar with the school. By using our own cover staff, this maintains the continuity of the school curriculum, teaching methods, pastoral processes and procedures, as well as knowing their way around the IT systems and equipment.

Mrs Sarah Holland is a Cover Manager at Bourne Academy and before starting this role, she spent two years working as a Teaching Assistant. She said “My role gives me the opportunity to cover a wide variety of subjects, so I can utilise the classroom management skills learnt as a Teaching Assistant. We use the lessons plans already created by the teachers, so we can pick up exactly where they left off and when the teacher returns, they know the lessons have been delivered as required. The students also behave exactly the same with cover staff as their regular teachers as the classroom environment is unchanged and students know they are school staff.”

Whilst you do not require a formal teaching qualification for this role, you are an essential part of the teaching team. The role may appeal to someone who wishes to get into teaching and gain classroom experience. It may also appeal to those who were previously teachers or teaching assistants with classroom management skills as they will enjoy the variety this rewarding role brings.

If you are someone who thrives on variety as well as being adaptable, reliable and confident, then you have the key qualities that would make you suitable.

To find out how you could become a Classroom Cover Instructor, please visit: www.slat.org.uk/vacancies or you could speak to staff at the Get Into Teaching / Become a TA events taking place at Bourne Academy on Wednesday 18th March 2026.