Graduate Teaching Assistant to Cover Supervisor Pathway

Launch Your Teaching Career in a Secondary School

Location: Newport
Pay: £93–£120 per day
Hours: Monday to Friday, school hours
Start Date: November 2026
Contract: Full-time or Part time, term-time only

Thinking About Becoming a Teacher?

Are you a graduate considering a career in secondary education but want classroom experience before committing to teacher training?

Teaching Personnel is offering an exciting opportunity for aspiring teachers to gain valuable school-based experience as a Teaching Assistant, before progressing onto our Cover Supervisor Training Programme and leading lessons within your specialist subject area.

This role has been designed specifically for graduates who want to build confidence, develop classroom management skills and gain first-hand experience of life in a secondary school before deciding whether to pursue a PGCE, School Direct, PGCE PCET, or other teacher training routes.

The Opportunity

You'll begin your journey as a Teaching Assistant, supporting students and teachers across a secondary school while learning how successful classrooms operate.

As your confidence and experience develop, you'll have the opportunity to complete our Cover Supervisor Training Programme, equipping you with the skills to independently manage classes and deliver pre-planned lessons.

This gradual approach allows you to experience both support and leadership responsibilities within the classroom, helping you make an informed decision about your future in education.

Your Teaching Assistant Responsibilities

As a Teaching Assistant, you will:

• Support students during lessons across Key Stages 3 and 4
• Work alongside teachers to facilitate learning and engagement
• Provide one-to-one and small-group support where required
• Help students overcome barriers to learning
• Support pupils with additional learning needs and varying abilities
• Assist with classroom organisation and lesson preparation
• Develop positive relationships with students and staff
• Gain insight into effective teaching and behaviour management strategies

Progress onto Cover Supervision

Following successful experience as a Teaching Assistant, you will have the opportunity to undertake Teaching Personnel's Cover Supervisor Training Programme.

As a Cover Supervisor, you will:

• Deliver pre-planned lessons in the absence of teaching staff
• Lead classes across your chosen subject specialism where possible
• Manage classroom behaviour and maintain engagement
• Support students' learning and progress
• Build the confidence and skills needed for a future teaching career
• Experience the realities of standing at the front of a classroom before committing to teacher training

This is an ideal stepping stone for graduates who want to determine whether teaching is the right career path for them.

Ideal for Graduates in Subject Areas Including

• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• History
• Geography
• Religious Education
• Modern Foreign Languages
• Physical Education
• Drama
• Music
• Art & Design
• Computer Science
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Business Studies

Graduates from all disciplines are encouraged to apply.

⭐ What You'll Gain

✅ First-hand experience in a secondary school setting

✅ Classroom management and behaviour management skills

✅ Experience supporting students of differing abilities

✅ Knowledge of the UK secondary curriculum

✅ Confidence leading groups of young people

✅ Cover Supervisor training and classroom leadership opportunities

✅ Valuable evidence for future PGCE or School Direct applications

✅ Professional references from experienced education professionals

✅ A realistic understanding of the teaching profession before committing to teacher training

Who We're Looking For

We are seeking graduates who are:

• Considering a future career in teaching
• Passionate about their subject area
• Confident communicators
• Enthusiastic about working with young people
• Professional, reliable and adaptable
• Keen to develop their classroom experience

Previous experience working with young people is advantageous but not essential.

Experience in tutoring, mentoring, sports coaching, youth work, volunteering, summer camps, university ambassador schemes or pastoral support would be beneficial.

✅ Requirements

To be considered for this opportunity, you must:

• Hold a degree or be in the final stages of completing one
• Have the right to work in the UK
• Be willing to complete an Enhanced DBS check
• Be willing to register with the Education Workforce Council (EWC)
• Provide professional references
• Complete safeguarding and compliance training

Why Work with Teaching Personnel?

✅ Competitive daily rates of £93–£120 per day

✅ Weekly PAYE pay

✅ Dedicated consultant support

✅ Free and discounted CPD opportunities

✅ Cover Supervisor training and development

✅ Long-term and permanent opportunities

✅ Valuable school-based experience

✅ A structured pathway into teaching

✅ Excellent preparation for PGCE, School Direct and teacher training applications

Take the First Step Towards Teaching

If you're considering a career in education and want to gain genuine classroom experience before committing to teacher training, this Graduate Teaching Assistant to Cover Supervisor pathway could be the perfect opportunity.

Apply today with your latest CV and start building the skills, confidence and experience needed to decide whether teaching is the right career for you.

Teaching Personnel - helping future teachers take their first step into the classroom.