Cover Supervisor

How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four?

At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance - and we're putting wellbeing first.

That's why we're proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay.

Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW - and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So, whether it's already in place or just around the corner, now's the perfect time to join .

Job Title: Cover Supervisor
Location: Smallbrook School, Shrewsbury, SY4 3HE
Salary: £26,250.00 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday
Contract: Fixed Term Term Time Only
Start: January 2026
UK applicants only - this role does not offer sponsorship

At Smallbrook School, part of Acorn Education, we believe every young person deserves not just a fresh start - but a real chance to thrive. Many of our pupils have faced challenges in mainstream education, but here, they are supported, understood, and given the tools to rebuild their confidence and their future.

We're searching for a Cover Supervisor who brings energy, presence, and positivity into the classroom - someone who can step in seamlessly when teachers are absent and keep learning purposeful, engaging, and on track. This is much more than simply covering lessons; it's about building relationships, offering consistency, and being a trusted adult in a pupil's day.

About the Role

As a Cover Supervisor, every day brings variety and purpose. You'll deliver pre-planned lessons, support pupils' learning, and play a central part in maintaining a safe, structured, and inspiring environment. Whether leading a class, supporting small groups, or stepping into wider school duties, you'll be a key part of the team ensuring learning never stops.

What you'll be doing

• Delivering high-quality lessons in the absence of teaching staff
• Supporting across the school - including 1:1, small groups, and occasional TA cover
• Helping pupils stay focused, motivated, and on track with lesson goals
• Maintaining a calm, respectful classroom using positive behaviour strategies
• Supporting targeted intervention and catch-up programmes
• Taking responsibility for organising internal and external exams as the school's Exams Officer
• Working closely with teachers, SLT, and support staff to ensure smooth daily operations
• Adapting confidently to new situations with flexibility and a proactive, can-do attitude

Who we are looking for

Someone who brings warmth, confidence, and commitment to the classroom, with:

• Strong classroom presence and the ability to lead learning confidently
• A calm, consistent, and patient approach - even when things get tough
• Excellent communication, organisation, and teamwork skills
• Experience working in a SEND or SEMH setting (desirable)
• A willingness to adopt trauma-informed and relationship-based approaches
• A genuine belief in every young person's potential to succeed

About us

Smallbrook School is a co-educational day school based halfway between Shrewsbury and Wem in Shropshire. We are currently expanding our capacity from 50 to 80 students, with significant investment in our site to develop our KS2 and sixth form provision.

We cater to pupils aged 7-18 with a range of complex needs, including social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs, as well as those diagnosed with autism or displaying behaviours associated with autism.

At Smallbrook, we provide a therapeutic, supportive, and inclusive learning environment, committed to raising achievement and enabling pupils to recognise and reach their potential. Through a personalised and engaging curriculum, we focus on developing the foundational knowledge and skills that ensure a smooth and manageable transition to the next stage of life.

We are part of Acorn Education and can offer plenty of challenges along with a wide range of opportunities to develop your career. Acorn Education is the UK's leading provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in creating and delivering innovative approaches that achieve measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for the sixth year running

Why join Acorn Education?

We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you'll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you'll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• "Your Wellbeing Matters" - access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that's right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100's of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.
• One Moment In Time

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

You'll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales