While we returned to the academic year with, understandably, a degree of trepidation as to what lay ahead, we can already cast our eye back over the last month and see the strength of our work. We have developed a collective confidence which has gone some way to reassure our parental community and support stronger than anticipated attendance.

Our hard work, thorough planning, attention to detail and adherence to guidelines has also gone a long way to suppressing the spread of infection. Although infection rates across the country have risen significantly over the last two weeks, our schools have experienced very little disruption. Managing this risk has not been easy but by collectively pulling together with everyone following our established protocols we are all doing our bit to stay safe and maintain purposeful learning. Thank you for your continued support.

I’m delighted to signpost Callington Community College's recent accolade of being awarded the nationally recognised ‘Music Mark’. This award recognises the value CCC places on music and the access to, and engagement in, high quality music education.

I would also like to congratulate Ivybridge Community College on their under 15's Triple Academy Sporting Achievements . If you are interested in reading more on their success, please click on the link here: https://www.ivybridge.devon.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=1033

Turning to other Trust wide activity, we continue to further develop and share the WeST Strategic Plan. The focus this week is the Governance and Leadership strand. In transforming this key thread into tangible objectives, we recognise that communication is pivotal to our Governance and Leadership structures /processes throughout the Trust. With that in mind, key deliverables include developing a communications strategy. Phase 1 of our work will concentrate on internal communication as this will provide a solid foundation for later building on our external communication. We will also be looking to develop a governance handbook to support the Trust Board/LGB interface.

 Short term objectives
1. Developing a communications strategy – initial phase to focus on internal communications:
a. Review of internal stakeholders and Governance /Leadership structures /dissemination of information & two-way feedback loop
b. Feedback mechanisms
c. Channels and tools to aid effective communication
2. Trust Board/LGB interface - WeST governance handbook

Take care best wishes,

Rob Haring – CEO

Estates Update:

This update continues our theme of Capital Project works that have been undertaken in our Schools. Our latest message is from Stowford School. Many of you never mention heating unless there is a distinct lack of it. But for our Estates colleagues heating is really exciting. Behind the radiator (not literally) is a whole system just like your boiler at home but on a much larger scale.

At Stowford School the boilers were 25 years old and at the end of their life.  We were starting to need to replace parts and it was becoming expensive to run them. The original plant room was too small to allow a safe working system and repairs of equipment so over the summer, the plant room building was extended. This allowed a sensible layout of the boilers, expansion vessels, hot water heater, pumps and pipe work.

The photos show the system before having lagging installed. As stated from an Estates perspective, this is exciting stuff. The simplistic layout, two new boilers with a capacity for a third if required, allows for future expansion.

The quality of workmanship is also for us, something to admire. The project has also come in under budget at approx £80,000. This investment will ensure the school has an excellent working heating system for the next 25 years.

The boilers are also much more efficient than the old system so the school gas costs will also reduce. Most of you have not been inside our plants rooms, which from a building infrastructure perspective, is the equivalent of the heart in our bodies. 

Recruitment update:

We are delighted to inform you that there are a number of exciting career opportunities within our Trust as follows:-

Director of Secondary School Improvement: This is a pivotal role within our Executive Leadership team and will shape the work of our secondary schools and their staff to harness their professional expertise, with the goal of securing excellent outcomes for our children. For more information please visit: https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/director-of-secondary-school-improvement-devon-1353668.

At Plymstock School there are currently a number of vacancies as follows:-

  1. Teacher of Science 0.6 FTE (to cover maternity leave)
  2. Teacher of Humanities 0.6 FTE (Fixed Term until 31/8/2021)
  3. Teacher of Art, Craft and Design

For more information please visit the School's website: https://plymstockschool.org.uk/vacancies/

At Hele's School vacancies include:
  1. Learning Support Assistant Level 3
  2. Design & Technology Technician
  3. Evening Cleaner
  4. Exam Invigilators

For more information please visit the School's website: https://www.heles.plymouth.sch.uk/category/vacancies 

Learning Behaviours

Often when we mention ‘behaviour’ in schools our minds are drawn to dealing with pupil misbehaviour. Of course, it is important that we have consistent routines, built around high expectations that as, Tom Bennett puts it, mean that pupils behave because “it is the right thing to do.” Such behaviour can be taught and learnt, and for some of our pupils we will need to do this more explicitly than others. However, behaviour in schools is more than just good classroom management, important as that is. It is also about how we as professionals help pupils develop the skills and behaviours that make them effective learners. 

The EEF has just launched a series of evidenced-informed materials detailing such approaches based around the idea of ‘5-a-day’. You can read the introduction to this approach here or if you prefer you can watch the video at https://youtu.be/J7E8ouAeHsw 

Updates from the HR team:

The NHS COVID-19 app

The NHS COVID-19 app is part of the COVID-19 NHS Test and Trace service in England. The app will be used, alongside traditional contact tracing, to notify users if they come into contact with someone who later tests positive for coronavirus. The app allows users to report symptoms, order a coronavirus test, check in to venues by scanning a QR code and it helps the NHS trace individuals that may have coronavirus.

This app will allow school staff, as well as students aged 16 and over, to identify if they have been in contact with someone who has tested positive with coronavirus.

An explainer video is available here. You can also find a full range of resources and FAQs at www.covid19.nhs.uk. This includes information about:

  • Using and downloading the app
  • What the app does

We would encourage all staff, who have not yet done so, to download the app here.

Core HR - Important Update:

As you may recall from last week’s Wednesday Whistle article, the schools supported by DELT Payroll Provider are due to be transferred to a new platform known as Core HR from October.  

The following schools are supported by DELT Shared Services payroll system: 

  • Ashburton Primary School  
  • The Atrium  
  • Boringdon Primary School  
  • Buckfastleigh Primary School  
  • Chaddlewood Primary School  
  • Dunstone Primary School  
  • Glen Park Primary School  
  • Oreston Community Academy  
  • Plympton St Maurice Primary School  
  • South Dartmoor Community College  
  • Woodford Primary School  

In recent days, the original timeframe has been hindered by external and uncontrollable factors and DELT have therefore re-adjusted their timescales for CoreHR go live. Where they had originally planned to launch on the 8th October, they are now working towards a go live of early November.  HR Colleagues are working alongside these schools to support local administration teams with implementation.

A warm welcome to all 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.

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 below by 13th October 2020. 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.

Pensions Update:

To access the latest news concerning the Teacher Pension scheme, Local Government Pension scheme for support staff and further services offered by Wesleyan, an independent financial mutual, they are holding a series of webinars.  For more information please click here.

In addition, and following the Government's consultation outlining their proposals to alleviate age discrimination against those who were moved into the reformed Teachers Pension Scheme in 2015, Wesleyan have also provided a summary guidance sheet. This answers some common questions you may have about the proposal and what it could mean for your finances. To view the guidance sheet and for more information click here.

Congratulations to four WeST Teaching Assistants who all passed their apprenticeships with Distinction at the end of last academic year

As the first cohort to complete this Learning Institute level 3 apprenticeship, we were delighted that all four of our apprentices gained the highest grade at what was an exceptionally trying time for all of us in schools.  This was a testament to their resilience, dedication, and hard work throughout the 18-month programme – characteristics they all model and encourage in the pupils they work with.

Sarah (Wembury Primary School), Jo, Louise and Kieran (Coombe Dean School) all received glowing praise from the independent End Point Assessor who made specific reference to their “superb and inspirational discussions and evidence” during the assessments – in addition to commenting upon the strength and success of The Learning Institute apprenticeship programme.

Well done to all our newly qualified Teaching Assistants and thank you to their school-based mentors who supported them throughout the programme.

If you are a newly appointed Teaching Assistant, speak with your Line Manager about accessing training which is funded through the Apprenticeship Levy.

If you have plans to appoint, or have recently appointed new Teaching Assistants and would like to find more about The Learning Institute Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship, please contact: ginny.honey@learninginstitute.co.uk or click here for more details.

For other apprenticeship enquiries, please contact:  apprenticeships@learninginstitute.co.uk .

Upcoming Train to Teach Events

Thinking about teaching?

Click here to view our forthcoming Train to Teach events or visit the link below for more information:

Train to Teach