--- title: MIS Cover Management description: MIS Cover Management | Help & Support — GO 4 Schools --- [Skip to content](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/mis/mis-cover-management#main-content) ![GO logo](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/hubfs/GO-logo.svg) - [Tickets](https://146391209.hs-sites-eu1.com/tickets-view) - [Sign out](https://146391209.hs-sites-eu1.com/_hcms/mem/logout) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Tickets](https://146391209.hs-sites-eu1.com/tickets-view) - [Sign out](https://146391209.hs-sites-eu1.com/_hcms/mem/logout) - [Contact us](https://www.go4schools.com/contact) [Contact us](https://www.go4schools.com/contact) How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [GO 4 Schools MIS](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/mis?hsLang=en-gb) 2. [Cover management](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/mis/cover-management?hsLang=en-gb) # MIS Cover Management The GO 4 Schools MIS Cover Management feature allows schools to replace a teacher for a teaching group or move teaching rooms on a particular date and period. Staff absence for cover is recorded and staff can be assigned to lessons i.e. supply, cover supervisor or teacher.  A cover report is available to show how much cover has been required for staff.  The cover timetable lesson periods will match up with the timetable structure uploaded into the MIS. NB: Non-timetabled registration groups do not show in the cover diary so will need to be scheduled.  If break and lunchtime are scheduled into the timetable then this will reflect in the cover periods available in the cover diary.  #### **Permissions** Users will require 'Can manage Timetable Cover' and 'Can manage staff absence' permissions to allocate cover to staff and teachers will require 'Can view Timetable Cover' to view the cover diary. See Roles and permissions to allocate. ![](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-24-2902-AM.png?width=482&height=251&name=undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-24-2902-AM.png) #### **Set up staff for cover** On the staff record there is an option to set a member of staff to ‘use for cover’ and also to assign the type of cover staff.  Go to **People \> Staff \> Select staff member** and under the **Staff member details** set to use for cover and cover status:  - Supply - used for external supply staff - Cover supervisor - used for internal staff specifically used for cover - Cover staff - all teaching staff - Other staff - other staff who may do cover i.e. TA's, support staff ![](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-24-7575-AM.png?width=670&height=212&name=undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-24-7575-AM.png) If this is not enabled then the staff are unavailable to assign as cover.  **Note:** for staff to be covered or to cover lessons they are required to be set up in the staff record with the following toggles enabled and a staff code.  ![](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-20-3751-AM.png?width=284&height=36&name=undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-20-3751-AM.png) ![](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-20-5512-AM.png?width=272&height=44&name=undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-20-5512-AM.png) ![](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-21-4032-AM.png?width=310&height=38&name=undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-21-4032-AM.png) Non-contact time should be included on a staff members timetable if you wish this to be covered. **Supply agency staff** Supply staff will need to be added as a staff member with the 'Use for cover' and status of 'Supply'. They can be added from the cover diary using the **‘Add new staff member**’ button to create a stub record as needed.  This will then open the staff record page to add any additional contact information required.  #### **Cover Diary** Go to **Curriculum \> Timetable Setup \> Cover diary** – Staff that have been recorded absent (that have a timetabled lesson) will display in the Cover diary for today by default. ![](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-23-8690-AM.png?width=670&height=58&name=undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-23-8690-AM.png)  The top of the page has a date picker to view and manage cover in the future, a .CSV download, and count of the number of cover rows and a key: - Unresolved - no cover assigned to the group. - Staff leaver - staff member has a leaving date and group assignments have not been updated so require temporary cover. - Absent - staff member is absent. - Over allocated - 1+ groups added to the same cover assignment. - Resolved - cover assigned. There are also options to '**Show NCT**' \[Non contact time\] and '**Show classes without a teacher'** from your timetable.  **Setting staff absence from the Cover diary** From the cover diary page select the '**Add absence**' to access the modal. ![](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-19-7441-AM.png?width=194&height=56&name=undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-19-7441-AM.png) Type in the staff members name to find their absence record which will display and checked so no duplicate absences are added. Select **'Add absence'.**  Multiple staff names can be added for the same absence period, reason i.e. school trip.  **![](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-22-3738-AM.png?width=670&height=247&name=undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-22-3738-AM.png)** Add in details of the absence on the modal.  If the absence is internal then working days lost should be zero. Select the category, date and range for the absence.   ![](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-25-6923-AM.png?width=670&height=536&name=undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-25-6923-AM.png) The absence will then display on the cover diary for the staff member(s) added.  ![](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-22-9197-AM.png?width=670&height=108&name=undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-22-9197-AM.png) **To edit a staff absence** Absences can be amended via the Absence block on the staff record, this will then update the cover requirements on the cover diary.  Staff absence can also be managed from the staff page see article.  [Assigning teacher absences from the staff record.](https://support.go4schools.com/en/support/solutions/articles/80001177654) #### **Assigning cover** Select period for a teacher to view the pop-up to assign cover.  The modal then has 3 options; Cover not required, Unresolved and Change cover assignment. ![](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-23-6255-AM.png?width=670&height=87&name=undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-23-6255-AM.png) Select Change cover assignment to view a list of staff available to assign to the period.  The staff are listed under four different tabs for cover – Supply (external supply staff), Cover supervisors (internal cover staff), Cover staff (all teachers) and other (used if TA or similar staff are used).  Individual staff can be specifically searched for using the ‘Search option’.   ![](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-19-9286-AM.png?width=670&height=194&name=undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-19-9286-AM.png) Staff that are free will show no information under the ‘period’ column, this can be sorted and then assigned for cover or if selecting a staff member who has an existing group on the timetable will over-allocate cover. Absent staff will have an flag to indicate this next to their name on the list:![](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-24-5210-AM.png?width=61&height=35&name=undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-24-5210-AM.png) The additional columns will show how many times the teacher has been assigned to cover for the week, last 14 days and academic year. Once assigned the lesson will show as Resolved in the cover diary. ![](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-21-6184-AM.png?width=670&height=164&name=undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-21-6184-AM.png) The period will also show resolved if no cover is required. Note that Non-contact time will display as unresolved but with no groups on the cover diary. These can be set to not required. **Bulk assign cover** To assign the same person to cover a teacher the bulk assign cover will do this quickly.  Select the staff member by clicking on the far left box next to their name. This will highlight the row with all of their classes.  ![A white and black text with a yellow circle and a white rectangle AI-generated content may be incorrect.](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-25-4188-AM.png?width=210&height=101&name=undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-25-4188-AM.png) From **Selected items** select the Bulk assign cover option.    ![A screenshot of a computer AI-generated content may be incorrect.](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-23-1769-AM.png?width=196&height=110&name=undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-23-1769-AM.png) From the **Edit cover diary (bulk assignment)** modal now select the staff member to apply to all the cover requirements for today.  Select **Assign**.  A pop up will ask for confirmation with the count of lessons set to be covered.  ![A screenshot of a computer AI-generated content may be incorrect.](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-21-8805-AM.png?width=602&height=297&name=undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-21-8805-AM.png) Any cover already set will be overwritten by the bulk assignment and the new cover staff will be assigned.    ![](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-23-4026-AM.png?width=601&height=73&name=undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-23-4026-AM.png) #### **Planned absence cover** If a staff member has planned absence, and this spans across a time period, schools will often use supply staff to cover for the entire absence period.  This can be set by using the planned absence process. In the staff record **+Add new absence** and set the date range from and to, then enter the number of days absent and the reason. Use the '**Go to absence report**' button from the absence section in the staff record. ![](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-20-1510-AM.png?width=670&height=153&name=undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-20-1510-AM.png) The page will list all periods for teachers that have planned absences: ![](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-25-0771-AM.png?width=670&height=177&name=undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-25-0771-AM.png) Cover can be set by typing a teacher name in the ‘resolution’ section of the page: Once assigned their name will display. More than one teacher can be assigned. ![](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-24-0822-AM.png?width=670&height=35&name=undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-24-0822-AM.png) To assign cover for multiple periods at the same time select the periods to be covered and use the Selected items menu, there are options to download a CSV or Assign teacher(s) ![A screenshot of a computer Description automatically generated](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-22-1327-AM.png?width=185&height=118&name=undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-22-1327-AM.png)![](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-20-9480-AM.png?width=344&height=301&name=undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-20-9480-AM.png) A modal will display to add in a teacher name to assign to cover the periods selected. As you type teacher names will appear to select.  More than one teacher can be assigned. ![](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-21-1584-AM.png?width=670&height=165&name=undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-21-1584-AM.png) Once selected the teachers will display on the main planned absence page, teachers can be removed by selecting the ‘x’ next to their names. Once saved the cover assignments will display in the cover diary.  #### **Cover on staff timetables** Assigned cover will display on staff timetables: - Blue highlight and icon for lesson that is to be covered by the staff member. ![](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-22-6211-AM.png?width=670&height=145&name=undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-22-6211-AM.png) #### **Downloading the Cover diary** Select the rows of the Cover diary you wish to download. Selecting the checkbox will select all, click on the selected items button to Download CSV.  The CSV will list the teacher covered in each row with periods in each column, showing the status and cover assigned. ![](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-20-7302-AM.png?width=670&height=121&name=undefined-Apr-10-2026-10-06-20-7302-AM.png) **Example:**   | Date | Status | Display name | P1 | P2 | P3 | P4 | P5 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 14/01/2025 | Has absence | Green, S | 13H, Absent,  Green, S | CAFA, 13B/Ch1, Unresolved, | 13B/Ch1, Absent, Green, S | 13D/Mm1, Unresolved | 13D/Mm1, Unresolved | #### **Printing the Cover diary** The cover diary can be printed from the browser to show the cover status and assignments. - [General](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/mis/general?hsLang=en-gb) - [Academic Year Set Up](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/mis/academic-year-set-up?hsLang=en-gb) - [Student records](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/mis/student-records?hsLang=en-gb) - [Courses](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/mis/courses?hsLang=en-gb) - [Timetables](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/mis/timetables?hsLang=en-gb) - [Cover management](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/mis/cover-management?hsLang=en-gb) - [Exams](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/mis/exams?hsLang=en-gb) - [Reports](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/mis/reports?hsLang=en-gb) - [MIS Communications](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/mis/mis-communications?hsLang=en-gb) - [Settings](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/mis/settings?hsLang=en-gb) - [Census](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/mis/census?hsLang=en-gb) - [Staff records](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/mis/staff-records?hsLang=en-gb) - [Roles and Permissions](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/mis/roles-and-permissions?hsLang=en-gb) - [Admissions](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/mis/admissions?hsLang=en-gb) - [Agencies and agents](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/mis/agencies-and-agents?hsLang=en-gb) - [Video Guides](https://supporttest.go4schools.com/mis/video-guides?hsLang=en-gb) Copyright © 2026, GO 4 Schools