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Teaching Assistant

Cover Supervisor

Paxman Academy · Colchester · Essex

Job description

Join a Team That is Committed to ‘Building Brighter Futures’ at Paxman Academy

Are you a collaborative professional who thrives in a supportive community? Ready to help students fulfil their full potential?

At Paxman Academy, we're dedicated to creating an ordered, stimulating learning environment where every student is valued, respected, and encouraged to achieve their best.

We're searching for an exceptional Cover Supervisor to supervise whole classes during the short-term absence of teachers. You will be able to give instructions for the lesson as provided by a teacher, keep good order in the classroom and respond to general queries. When no cover is required, you will support other departments.

You will be expected to have excellent interpersonal skills and a commitment to young people, their welfare and education. You will also need to act as a role model with high expectations of conduct and behaviour.

The post does not require Qualified Teacher Status, although applicants with this are welcome. Experience of working with young people would be an advantage although full training and induction will be provided.

  • Start date: ASAP following pre-employment checks
  • Contract type: Permanent
  • Working hours: Part time - 37 hours per week, 39 weeks per year (term time plus non-pupil/INSET days).
  • Working pattern: 8:00am - 4:00pm Monday to Thursday, 8:00am - 3:30pm Friday

A Day in the Life:

Some of your key responsibilities will include:

  • Supervision of whole classes during the short-term absence of teachers.
  • Collation and organisation of cover work for teaching staff.
  • Ensuring external cover teachers understand cover work and are given all relevant information.
  • Supervision of pupils engaged in learning activities.
  • Acting as a role model and setting high expectations of conduct and behaviour.
  • Promoting the inclusion and acceptance of all pupils within the classroom.
  • Keeping pupils on task and responding to general queries.

What We're Looking For:
You are the perfect fit for our team if you have:

  • GCSE Grade A to C or equivalent in English and Maths
  • Recent knowledge of working within a school environment
  • Ability to establish rapport and respectful and trusting relationships with children
  • Experience of working with school policies in relation to inclusion, safeguarding and physical contact with students
  • Good working knowledge of ICT to support learning and performance of own role
  • Ability to demonstrate that you encourage the inclusion of pupils with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties in a mainstream setting
  • Ability to demonstrate effective implementation of the school’s behaviour management policy
  • Excellent organisational skills
  • Ability to remain calm under pressure.

Please see the attached Job Description & Person Specification for full details.

Why Choose The Sigma Trust?
We believe in investing in our staff and fostering a culture of collaboration. We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive package designed to support your professional and personal life.

Professional Development:

  • A robust CPD training program that empowers you to flourish.
  • Unrivalled opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across the Trust, sharing ideas and building strong professional relationships.

Employee Benefits:

  • A competitive salary and excellent pension scheme.
  • A Health Cash Plan and Employee Assistance Programme for your well-being.
  • Exclusive perks like the Cycle to Work scheme, discounted gym memberships, cinema tickets, and eligibility for a Blue Light Card.

Commitment to Safeguarding & Diversity

The Sigma Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to safer recruitment processes, including the disclosure of criminal records, online checks and other vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across our schools.

The Sigma Trust is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of any protected characteristics. This is embedded in our vision ‘To Be Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts’, where we believe we are strong and more successful working together, creating a workplace which celebrates diversity.

To Apply:

Ready to take the next step? Submit an application on My New Term by midnight on Sunday 1st November 2026.

Interviews are expected to take place on Friday 6th November 2026.

Please note that we reserve the right to close this advert early should we receive an overwhelming response. Candidates may be invited to interview prior to the closing date, so an early application is advised.

We politely request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this vacancy.

Apply now

Applications are handled on Teaching Vacancies (GOV.UK).

About this school

Paxman Academy

Free schools · Secondary · Ages 11–16

Good
Pupils
886
Avg teacher salary
£56,886
Pupil:teacher ratio
18:1
Academy trust
THE SIGMA TRUST

Average (mean) teacher salary · DfE School Workforce Census 2024/25

View full school profile

Ofsted rating key

OutstandingGoodRequires ImprovementInadequateNot rated

Not rated= no current Ofsted judgement — typically a new school, a recently-converted academy not yet inspected, or a school type Ofsted doesn’t grade.

Location

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Colchester, Essex, CO2 9DB

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Salary
£24,525.00 - £25,738.00 Annually (Actual) Local Government Pay Scale 5, Points 10-13
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Part time
Posted
12 October 2026
Closing date
1 November 2026

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