Welcome to this week’s edition of the Wednesday Whistle. I am pleased to be able to inform you of a couple of exciting up-coming events.

Firstly, our second day of Primary Curriculum training is fast approaching. All WeST primary teachers and leaders will return to the Crowne Plaza on Friday 22nd October to build on the prior learning from the first session and engage in modules three and four. Please do take 60 seconds, yes just 60 seconds, to have a quick look at this short clip that captures the spirit of the day from when we last came together on Monday 6th September. To watch this clip, please go here. Secondary colleagues are engaging in development and training at a more local level in their respective schools.

Secondly, I am delighted to share the terrific news that our potential merger with the Beacon Federation was approved by the RSC earlier this month. As such, we will now embark on an exercise of ‘Due Diligence’ and more alongside each other ahead of a formal joining on, hopefully, 1st January 2022. For those who might have missed this previously, the Beacon Federation comprises Ermington Primary School, Manor Primary School and Ugborough Primary School. Please do extend a warm welcome to these colleagues as they begin to join some of our collaborative work.

In the same fashion as last week, I cannot finish without the mention of COVID. It has been so refreshing to see our schools return to a more recognisable mode of working, but I cannot stress enough the need to remain vigilant around the spread of infection. We continue to experience positive cases of COVID, far more so in children rather than staff.

Thank you for you on-going endeavours.

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.

Estates deliver a record summer project programme

Over the summer the Estates team delivered many projects to improve our school buildings. These included roof replacements, 3G pitch upgrades, fire alarm installs, Audio Visual equipment and IT upgrades to name a few. 

The Estates team managed multiple projects directly. We also used Project Management companies to help on others. In all we delivered £1.8m of projects. This is the most ever by the team, and it was not without its challenges. Shortages of materials, tradespersons being pinged because of the NHS test and trace made the programme all the more challenging. On one roofing project 6 out of 8-of the team had to isolate. 

Other projects were delivered directly by school Operation Managers or Premises Managers. Showing that the summer works programme was a true team effort. 

Over the next few weeks, we will present a few of the projects the team delivered starting with the project below.

Extremism in Communities Training

As part of this year’s Hate Crime Awareness Week the Police Diverse Communities Team have arranged for renowned extremism expert Nigel Bromage to deliver a two hour masterclass on the dangers of extremism in communities at 10am on 11th October 2021.

Please share with your schools safeguarding leads to see if this input will be of interest to them.

Nigel Bromage is a former far-right activist who spent 20 years engaged with a number of movements and organisations including the National Front and Combat 18 before leaving and embarking on a pathway to help others follow suit. He has helped train schools, community and faith groups, frontline workers and governmental departments.

The speaker has a background in the extreme right wing so the focus of the talk will be around the dangers posed by such groups.

The input will be delivered via MS Teams and is available to anyone with an interest hate crime and extremism. It will be particularly valuable to anyone working within communities. 

Unfortunately we are not able to record the talk for later playback. However, support materials will be made available shortly after the talk.

Title: Nigel Bromage – Extremism in communities
Time: 11 October 2021 10:00:00 British Summer Time

Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting

Starter Experience Survey

Once again we would like to take this opportunity to welcome all our new starters to WeST. We 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 over the next week or so 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.

TECHSCHEME

TECHSCHEME—SURVEY CLOSING SOON

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 attached 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.

 

To book onto this course, please go here. 

Governor Vacancy at Sherford Vale  

Sherford Vale School is looking for enthusiastic individuals with a willingness to learn and a commitment to improving education for all pupils by working actively in a team. 

Applicants may bring a variety of skills and experience to the role, but we would particularly welcome new governors with a background, interest or experience in children’s education. An interest in fostering close links with parents and the wider community is also an asset. 

What do school governors do?

They set the strategic vision and direction and hold the management and leadership team to account for the school’s performance. Governors help in help in deciding the school’s strategy for improvement so that its pupils learn most effectively and achieve the highest standards.

Why become a school governor?

The role of a school governor is a rewarding one that brings a number of benefits.

  • Developing your professional skills and experience such as strategic planning, chairing, and team working, all of which are valued by employers and can assist your own career development
  • Building relationships and networks within the school community
  • Supporting children and young people in your community

What commitment is needed?

Nationally, the average time spent is between 6-8 hours a month. This includes attending a monthly meeting, reading documents, training for the role, and carrying out school visits.

Want to find out more?

If you are interested in this role, or would like to find out more, please contact the school's Clerk to Governors on 01752 891795. 

Recruitment update:

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

Westcountry Schools Trust is looking to appoint a HR Officer. If you are a dedicated and highly proficient generalist HR Officer looking to consolidate your practice in the education sector and progress to a HR Advisory position, with your own portfolio of schools, within 2-3 years, this post provides the opportunity to take the next exciting step in your career. Working in a fast-paced environment as part of the core HR Team, the post holder will provide advice and support on a broad range of employee relations matters, helping to ensure timely progression of queries and cases. Stakeholder management is key and there will be a high level of interaction with customers at all levels in the provision of advice and guidance. Closing date: 9am Wednesday 6th October 2021. For more information on this role, please go here. 

Westcountry Schools Trust is also looking for an Academic Professional Initial Teacher Education - Part time fixed-term posts (various hours, 12 months). The main purpose of these roles is to contribute to and lead in the provision of high-quality teacher training by way of tuition, mentoring and assessment of trainee progress in practice and reflection. As such a successful applicant would deliver a defined range of teaching activities and undertake pedagogic research to support teaching and learning development. The role may combine elements of teaching, scholarship, engagement working and administration. Closing date: 9.00am on 8th October, 2021. For more information on this role, please go here.

Morley Meadow Primary School are looking to appoint a Family Support Advisor who can support and improve the life outcomes and opportunities for children and families in the school community. The role will involve enhancing the good practice already in place by providing a range of individual wellbeing, attendance, emotional, safeguarding and family support. Further information is available through the website here. Closing Date: 12.00pm Wednesday 6th October 2021. 

Boringdon and Woodford Primary School are looking appoint an enthusiastic individual to act as Clerk to the Local Governing Body for both Boringdon Primary and Woodford Primary. The Clerk to the Governors will provide advice to the governing body on governance, constitutional and procedural matters. The successful candidate will have demonstrable experience of the role – showing skills in organisation of meetings, effective & precise record keeping, have great interpersonal skills and be able to work at the times convenient to the governing body including early evening meetings. For more information on this role, please go here. 

Chaddlewood Primary School is looking for a Cleaner to provide a key role in maintaining their school site, ensuring a welcoming and safe environment for the whole school community. The hours will be afternoons 15.10 – 18.00 Monday to Friday during term time with a more flexible approaching during the 3 week periodic clean (1 week spring break/2 week summer break). This post will initially be based at Chaddlewood Primary School; however, the post holder may be required to work at any of the schools within Westcountry Schools Trust. Closing date: 30 September 2021. For more information on this role, please go here. 

Plymstock School are looking for a Finance Assistant – required as soon as possible. Plymstock are seeking an organised and efficient individual to join their busy Finance Team.  The successful candidate will assist the Senior Finance Officer in the management and monitoring of the Catering Account and Sports Centre Account, as well as undertaking a range of activities to ensure the smooth running of ParentPay, their cashless system for school trips and dinner money. This is a permanent, part-time post – 25 hours pw x 39 weeks pa. Salary – Grade C - Plymouth SCP 5 - 7  (Actual pro-rata salary £11,175 - £11,626) (FTE Salary £19,312 – £20,092) Closing Date: 9am – Monday 11 October 2021. Interview Date: Friday 15 October 2021. For more information on this role, please go here.

Hele's School are looking for the following vacancies: 

SEN Admin & Learning Support Assistant - 30 hours per week, 38 weeks (term time) NJC Grade C - Starting salary £13,065 (pro rata of £19,312 FTE). Permanent. Heles are seeking an enthusiastic and adaptable SEN Admin & Learning Support Assistant to provide administrative support for the SENCo and support to students and teachers in mainstream classes. Closing Date:  midnight, Sunday 3rd October 2021. 

Exam Invigilators - Urgently needed! Casual £9.00 per hour plus holiday pay (£10.83) Hele's are looking to recruit reliable invigilators for both their internal/external exam series throughout the academic year.  This is an interesting and challenging role in the school environment, and applicant’s availability must be flexible to accommodate. Further information relating to the role and our exam seasons can be found here. Closing date: midnight Sunday 3rd October 2021. Interviews Thursday 7th October 2021. 

Senior Science Technician - NJC Grade E - Starting salary £19,070 (pro rata of £23,541 FTE). Permanent 35 hours per week, 39 weeks per year. Hele's are looking for an exceptional candidate, who possesses energy and creativity, to join their forward thinking and innovative Science Department. Hele’s is a supportive, friendly and oversubscribed learning community with a very good reputation.  Hele's wish to appoint a dynamic and ambitious team player with the capacity to provide effective and efficient support to colleagues. Closing date: 9am, Friday 8th October 2021.  Interviews Wednesday 13th October 2021. 

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

Arena are looking for enthusiastic and dedicated sports coaches to join their highly successful team. Due to an increase in their work programme they have a vacancy for two sports coaches one to cover the North Cornwall area of the sports partnership and another to cover the East Cornwall area. Initially the roles will be for approximately 20 hours per week but this could increase. You will need to have a minimum of a level 2 NGB Sports coaching qualification and have had experience in working with primary age children. Closing Date: 13 Oct 2021. For more information on these roles, please go here.