Welcome back to the new academic year. I trust that you are all safe, well, suitably rested and have returned re-energised for the year ahead. As we look forward, we do so hopeful of a year that is far closer to ‘normal’ than the previous two! There are no guarantees, but, the overall signs are that the lifting of restrictions has progressed broadly as anticipated. However, we cannot become complacent, so please do continue to observe our protective measures that include

  • Heightened use of hand sanitiser to support excellent hand hygiene
  • Continuation of thorough cleaning
  • Increased ventilation where feasible
  • For our secondary schools, strong promotion of face masks in communal areas. Students may wear a face mask in lessons, should they wish to choose to do so.
  • Observation of each schools Risk Assessment.

From a positive perspective, we are seeking to return to as many aspects of normal school life as possible, whilst not contravening our Risk Assessment.

I hope everyone got off to a good start earlier in the week; be it LFT testing or INSET delivery. From a primary angle, we enjoyed a terrific start to WeST’s Curriculum training programme with nearly 300 WeST primary teachers – including our new colleagues at Austin Farm Academy - engaged in a rich dialogue focused on curriculum development and planning. Mention of which, leads me neatly to formally welcoming Karl Sampson to WeST in his role of Director of Education alongside Richard Light.

Continuing with the primary theme, I am thrilled to confirm the opening of Morley Meadow Primary School to its children today. The new building presents a wonderful learning environment including a MUGA and magnificent 3G artificial pitch! I extend here, a colossal thank you to all of the staff at Morley Meadow for their industrious efforts over the summer break to ensure that the school was able to open in a meaningful fashion with resources transferred from their previous site. I must also thank Mark Bullard and the WeST estates team for their unseen efforts in the background. A genuine team effort. It has all proved extremely worthwhile - the children’s sheer excitement was palpable despite the dreadful weather.

I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Rob Pepper to his role as Headteacher at Yealmpton Primary School, and wish him every success for the year ahead.

Before I sign off I wish to give a shout-out for the courses that we are recruiting to through the TLI. I will attach a separate flyer, but please do take the opportunity to bring these learning opportunities to the attention of the communities you serve.

Given the extended length of this edition of the ‘Whistle’, I’ll finish here by wishing everyone a happy and professionally rewarding year.

Best wishes, 

Rob Haring, CEO

What is an Employee Assistance Programme?

With ever increasing pressures at work and home, there are times when we all need some extra support to balance the demands of everyday life. Care first are an independent, leading provider of professional employee support services. Care first employ professionally qualified Counsellors and Information Specialists, who are experienced in helping people to deal with all kinds of practical and emotional issues such as wellbeing, family matters, relationships, debt management, workplace issues, and more.

How can I access this?

This service is free of charge for WeST employees to access, you don’t need to inform your line manager (unless you wish to) and its completely confidential. The Trust does not know who uses the service but does receive statistics on how many employees use the service and general broad themes of types of issues—no information is ever passed on which could identify individuals.

You can call 0800 174 319 to speak to a professional counsellor or information specialist in confidence 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

You can visit the Care first lifestyle website which offers additional resources and online services at:

Website: www.carefirst-lifestyle.co.uk

User Name: Westcountst

Password: Wellbeing1234

West Winter Flu Jabs

We have responded amazingly well to the challenges of the pandemic and everyone has made huge sacrifices to bring COVID-19 under control. We have learned important lessons and there is now an opportunity to ensure these lessons can be applied in the future.

As our sites return for the autumn term one inevitable fact remains. Winter is coming, and with it the Flu Virus.

In preparation the Trust are proud to confirm we have partnered with Boots pharmacy to deliver a limited number of flu vaccinations to staff who do not already meet the NHS free vaccine eligibility. We encourage all staff to take up the offer of a flu jab via one of these pathways.

You are eligible if:

  • Aged 50 or over
  • Have certain health conditions– like COPD, Asthma, Diabetes etc.
  • You are pregnant
  • You live with someone who is at high risk of coronavirus
  • You receive a carer's allowance for an older or disabled person who is at risk.
  • Have a weakened immune system due HIV, AIDS, Steroid Treatments or Chemotherapy
  • Being very overweight – a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above
  • Neurological conditions, such as MS, Cerebral Palsy, Parkinsons. You can have the NHS Flu Vaccine at: Your GP Surgery A Pharmacy offering free NHS Jabs Your Midwifery Service (if pregnant) More information on the importance of getting a flu vaccination & eligibility is available from NHS Free Flu Jab Eligibility

For more information, contact HR@westst.org.uk

Available to you if:

  • You are NOT eligible for NHS Free Flu Jab Vouchers can be sent directly to you via email or text message.

Vouchers are redeemable at any participating Boots Pharmacy: Store Locator (https://www.boots.com/ StoreLookupView)

Redeemable from the 1st October 2021 until 31st January 2022, on a first come first served basis.

Availability may be limited as flu season progresses and ongoing supply can not be guaranteed. 

To Request a Voucher complete the online Form: Flu Voucher Request or Scan QR code.

TECHSCHEME

WeST have been exploring the possibility of working with the provider of Techscheme to offer Trust employees the opportunity to benefit from this salary sacrifice scheme to purchase tech items from the Currys PC World range.  Please find here some FAQs that tell you a little bit more about the scheme.

If you think you may be interested in taking part in this scheme please read the FAQ document and complete the short form available here or via the QR code.  The form will be available for you to complete until 30th September 2021.  This does not commit you to participating in the scheme but it will help us to gauge interest and take the right steps to make this scheme a success for you should you ultimately decide to take part.

Further information about the scheme is available on the Techscheme website. The HR Team is also available at hr@westst.org.uk if you have any questions.

 

 

 

 

A big welcome to all of our new starters

The new term has brought new faces to the schools and business units across the Trust.  We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you all to WeST and hope you are beginning to settle in.

As part of the Trust aim of continual improvement, we would be interested to know about your experience of the selection process that led to your first day with us and your initial first couple of weeks.

We would therefore appreciate it if you would spend a few minutes completing the anonymous form that can be found here or via the QR code above by 30th September. Please also look out for an email with the link in if it is easier for you to access from there.

If you would like to discuss this or encounter any problems opening the form please contact the HR Team at hr@westst.org.uk or on 01752 891754 Ext 1765. 

Congratulations to The Learning Insitutes first cohort of students on their completion of our new suite of Foundation Degrees particularly given the challenging circumstances experienced over the last 18 months . We look forward to joining them for graduation in November. For the Learning Institute students continuing onto the BA top up degree, we wish them every success in their final year.

To book on these courses, please go here. 

Recruitment update:

We are delighted to inform you of the following exciting career opportunities within our Trust:- 

Westcountry Schools Trust are looking to appoint an Executive Assistant. This role involves working closely with the CEO and Executive team, calling for the ability to work independently with a high level of initiative and accuracy. The ideal candidate will also have a strong administrative background with excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to remain calm and controlled in a demanding and constantly changing environment. The role will require flexibility in working hours and styles to meet varying demands.  As the first point of contact for the CEO and Executive Team, it is essential that the post holder has a manner which inspires confidence across high levels of interaction. Application forms are available from recruitment@westst.org.uk  and completed applications should be submitted to this address by 9am on Thursday 23rd September 2021.  For more information on this role, please go here. 

Oreston Community Academy are looking for the following vacancies: 

A Meal time Assistant to join their Meal time Assistant team, to work across their main school and Nursery. The daily hours are
1 hour and 15 minutes with an additional 30 minutes on a Thursday for a regular team meeting for communication and training. Closing Date: 10th September 2021. 

A Permanent Lighouse Club Manager for the before / after school and holiday club known as Lighthouse Club. This is an exciting new chapter for the club to continue its growth in providing a safe, exciting, and enriching environment for young people. The role of manager is to provide the day to day operations of this provision and take a proactive role in continuing to build the provision on offer. Closing date: Closing date: 10th September 2021. 

School Site Caretaker to provide a key role in maintaining our school site, ensuring a welcoming and safe environment for the whole school community. With sound DIY skills you will be required to carry out a range of duties including general internal and external maintenance and completing Health and Safety checks and maintaining records. Closing date: Friday 10th September at 9am. 

Two Teaching Assistant Vacancies (one for their onsite Nursery
and the other to be based in Key Stage 2) who are enthusiastic, good team players and committed to supporting the learning of all pupils, especially those with additional needs. Closing date: Friday 10th September. Interview date: Friday 17th September. 

For more information on the above roles, please go here.