Secondary Supply Teachers & Cover Supervisors | Brighton & Surrounding Areas

Looking for a more flexible way to work in secondary education?

I'm currently looking to connect with more Supply Teachers and Cover Supervisors across Brighton and the surrounding areas as I continue building my secondary supply network for the 2026/27 academic year.

There are plenty of reasons people choose supply.

Some teachers want to step away from a permanent timetable without leaving the classroom altogether. Some are returning to education and want to ease themselves back in. Others simply want more control over the days they work.

For Cover Supervisors, it can also be a brilliant way to gain experience across different secondary schools, particularly if you're considering teaching or already have experience working with young people.

Whatever your reason, the idea is fairly simple:

You let me know when you'd like to work, and I'll look for opportunities that fit around that.

What does day-to-day supply actually look like?

It varies.

Some bookings are arranged well in advance. A school might know that a teacher is going to be on training, attending a trip or absent for several days.

Other bookings happen that morning.

Schools can start contacting me from around 6:30am, and occasionally earlier, when they've had unexpected staff absence overnight.

If you've told me you're available that day, there's a chance I'll therefore give you an early call or message to see whether you'd like the booking.

There's no expectation that you need to be available five days a week.

One or two days can be absolutely worthwhile. Your availability can change from week to week too.

The main thing is simply keeping each other updated so that I know when you're looking for work and you know what opportunities are coming through.

Supply Teachers

I'm interested in hearing from qualified teachers across a range of secondary subjects.

You'll generally need QTS or an appropriate equivalent, and I'd be happy to speak with:

• Experienced teachers looking for greater flexibility
• ECTs wanting experience across different schools
• Teachers returning after time away
• Teachers between permanent roles
• Semi-retired teachers who still enjoy being in the classroom

Depending on the booking, you could be providing general cover for the day, teaching within your subject specialism or covering a longer period of absence.

Cover Supervisors

You don't need QTS to work as a Cover Supervisor.

The role generally involves supervising lessons using work already prepared by the school, supporting pupils to stay engaged and managing the classroom while their usual teacher is absent.

Previous Cover Supervisor experience is useful, but I'm also happy to speak with people whose experience comes from elsewhere.

That might include sports coaching, youth work, tutoring, mentoring or another role where you've developed confidence working with groups of young people.

It can also be particularly useful experience for graduates who are considering teacher training but want to spend some meaningful time in secondary schools first.

Getting to know the schools

One of the things I like about supply is that it gives you the chance to experience different schools without immediately committing to one.

You'll naturally find some environments that suit you particularly well.

And when that happens, I'll always try to get you back there when further work comes through.

Over time, supply can become much less about constantly walking into unfamiliar schools and much more about developing a handful of settings where staff and pupils already know you.

Sometimes those relationships also lead to longer-term opportunities if that's something you're interested in.

A bit of honesty about supply

Day-to-day work does fluctuate.

There can be very busy weeks and there can be quieter ones, so I wouldn't want to advertise this as guaranteed Monday-to-Friday employment.

If you're specifically looking for that level of consistency, I'd much rather know and look at longer-term opportunities with you instead.

But if flexibility is what you're after, supply gives you a lot of control over how education fits around the rest of your life.

Having access to a car can also open up more opportunities, particularly for schools outside central Brighton and bookings that come through at short notice, but driving isn't essential.

Registration & Safeguarding

You'll need an Enhanced Child Workforce DBS registered on the Update Service. If you don't currently hold one, you can apply through us and join the Update Service. I'll support you through the process, although the associated cost is covered by the applicant.

We'll also require a full employment and education history and references covering 24 months of employment in total where possible, prioritising recent and relevant employment.

Interested?

Whether you're looking for several days each week or just occasional work around other commitments, I'd be happy to have a conversation about what you're looking for and whether the opportunities I have could suit you.

Apply today and we can have a chat about your experience, your availability and the kind of secondary schools you'd like to work in around Brighton.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQ’s on the Teaching Personnel website for details.
All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.
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