Managing Behaviour in a New School Setting – Cover Staff Guide

Walking into a new school for the first time as a supply teacher or cover supervisor can feel like stepping into the unknown. You may not know the students, the layout, or the school's behaviour policy — but you’re still expected to manage the classroom confidently.

The good news? You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. With the right strategies, you can create a calm, focused environment — even in unfamiliar territory.

Here’s how.

✅ 1. Start With Confidence and Clarity

The first few minutes set the tone. Introduce yourself confidently and clearly explain:

• Your name and role for the day

• The expectations for behaviour

• What the lesson will involve

• What the consequences will be for poor behaviour

Use a calm but firm tone, maintain good eye contact, and avoid rushing. Students quickly sense when a teacher is in control — or not.

🗂️ 2. Ask About the Behaviour Policy

Whenever possible, ask school staff (or check the cover notes) for guidance on:

• The behaviour points or sanctions system

• How to record incidents or detentions

• Where to get support if needed

Some schools use traffic light systems, others use ClassCharts or paper logs. Being aligned with their system shows professionalism and helps with consistency.

👀 3. Observe Before Reacting

You won’t know each child’s background or needs, so take a moment to assess before reacting to low-level behaviour.

Look out for:

• SEN pupils with tailored behaviour plans

• Class dynamics — who leads, who disrupts

• Quiet students who may need extra support

Reacting too harshly or too softly without understanding context can undermine authority — or escalate the situation unnecessarily.

🧠 4. Use Simple, Consistent Language

Clear, repeatable language works wonders. Phrases like:

• “I need you to…”

• “This is your reminder…”

• “Let’s focus on the task…”

• “I’ll speak to you at the end”

Keep tone neutral and avoid sarcasm. Consistency helps pupils know where they stand — and reduces confrontation.

🎯 5. Praise in Public, Correct in Private

Acknowledging positive behaviour helps set the tone for the rest of the class:

• Use names when praising: “Thank you, Aisha, for getting started straight away.”

• Use silent signals (thumbs up, smile) to encourage others

• If correcting, aim to do so quietly and discreetly, where possible

Respect goes both ways — and often earns more cooperation than confrontation.

📞 6. Don’t Be Afraid to Call for Support

If things begin to escalate or a student is openly defiant, use the school's procedures:

• Follow the on-call system

• Use classroom phones or send a trusted student to get help

• Document what happened as soon as possible

You're not expected to handle everything alone — and asking for support is a sign of professionalism, not weakness.

🧳 7. Leave a Clear Handover Note

At the end of the day or lesson, leave a short note for the regular teacher. Include:

• Topics covered

• Student behaviour (positive and negative)

• Any issues that need follow-up

This builds trust with schools and shows you're a responsible, professional cover staff member.

Final Thoughts

Every classroom is different — but your approach doesn’t have to be. With confidence, consistency, and a few go-to techniques, you can manage behaviour calmly and effectively in any setting.

At Mana Education, we support supply teachers and cover supervisors across Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, Rutland, and Leicestershire. If you're looking for your next opportunity — or support with behaviour strategies — we’re here to help.