Cover Administrator

Oak Tree School is seeking an organised and responsive Cover Administrator to manage the school’s daily cover requirements. The role is central to maintaining continuity of learning by ensuring that appropriate cover is arranged promptly when classroom-based colleagues are absent.

You will coordinate the deployment of cover supervisors, teaching colleagues, internal supply colleagues and external supply teachers. You will also maintain accurate absence, cover and payroll information, support attendance monitoring, manage room bookings and provide wider administrative and human resources support.

must be able to start by 7.30am at the very latest

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily cover arrangements to ensure students continue to receive appropriate teaching, supervision and classroom support.
• Allocate cover supervisors, teaching colleagues, internal supply colleagues and external supply teachers according to operational requirements.
• Liaise with internal supply colleagues and external agencies to secure additional cover when required.
• Maintain accurate absence and cover information within EveryHR and other management information systems.
• Provide daily absence and cover updates to the senior leadership team.
• Supply payroll with accurate sickness absence information.
• Produce reports to support the consistent application of the colleague attendance policy.
• Monitor and record agency expenditure and work with relevant colleagues to limit costs wherever possible.
• Manage school room bookings and provide administrative and human resources support to the Operations Manager.
• Ensure safeguarding, confidentiality, health and safety and risk assessment requirements are followed.

The Ideal Candidate

You will be able to coordinate competing daily requirements accurately and respond effectively to changing circumstances. You will maintain confidential information appropriately, communicate professionally with colleagues and external agencies, and contribute to a collaborative and responsive administrative service.

You will build positive working relationships with school and Trust leaders, colleagues, students, parents, carers and external partners. A strong commitment to safeguarding, equality and promoting the welfare of children and young people is essential.

About Oak Tree School

Oak Tree School is a calm, inclusive and aspirational learning environment where relationships come first and every young person is supported to thrive on their own terms. Our learners, aged 5-19, benefit from a personalised curriculum that blends academic learning with highly specialised therapeutic and developmental support. As a school created in September 2023 to meet the growing need for specialist places across the local community, we pride ourselves on offering a nurturing setting where pupils feel safe, valued and ready to flourish.

ABOUT MAIDEN ERLEGH TRUST

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 5000 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. These values drive our focus on high-quality education for all, through collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

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—a day that unites our whole team in sharing best practice and learning.

Joining our Trust means being part of a community that invests in people and values expertise; it is about playing a direct role in shaping the lives and outcomes of young people.

You can learn more about working with us and hear from colleagues across our Trust by clicking here to visit our website.

Benefits of Working with Maiden Erlegh Trust

Staff wellbeing and professional development are central to how we work. Colleagues benefit from a wide range of opportunities and schemes, including:

Pension Scheme - Generous employer contributions through the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme

Annual Leave - Generous entitlement, increasing with length of service

ME Day - One additional day’s leave each year for a significant personal event

Professional Development - Extensive CPD through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, annual Trust Conference and apprenticeship opportunities

Hybrid Working - Flexible working arrangements for eligible roles

Perkbox - Discounts, wellbeing resources and monthly perk points

Wellbeing and Health - Free flu vaccinations and eye tests (where eligible)

Employee Assistance Programme - 24/7 support and discount schemes

Mental Health First Aid Support

Recognition and Community - Celebrating achievements and milestones across #TeamMET

Employee Referral Scheme

Working for our Trust means contributing to something larger by supporting the education and life chances of children and young people every day.

Additional Information

If you believe this is an environment where you can thrive, develop and make a meaningful contribution, please contact recruitment@maidenerleghtrust.org for an informal discussion.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as we reserve the right to close the advert and interview at any time.

Maiden Erlegh Trust is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.