As with last week’s ‘Whistle’, I open this week’s edition with a good news story.

I want to take this opportunity to extend a heartfelt thank you to all those that were involved in the evaluation visit at South Dartmoor Community College ten days ago. The reason it headlines as a good news story is that the process was a genuine collaborative undertaking whereby all those involved saw huge value in the visit. Thank you.

A couple of brief points.

The DfE ITT market review has meant that we are carefully considering how we prepare and position ourselves for ITT involvement from September 2024. Having a high quality, vibrant ITT programme at the heart of our work, forms a key plank of our Talent Management Strategy. We want to be involved in selecting those that enrol on our programmes, provide excellent training that stimulates professional thinking and prepares trainees for the classroom, then, hopefully, be in a position to offer employment in our family of schools. We will share and discuss this much further over the coming weeks.

I continue to stress the importance of recruitment and its implicit relationship with our Talent Management Strategy. We are now in the midst of a hectic recruitment period at all levels in our schools.

I know that the thorny issue of National Insurance contributions (NI) for employees has raised its head over the weekend. However, as it stands, the governments autumn comprehensive spending review determined that employees would see a rise in the NI contributions. Unless anything changes, our staff will see a decrease in take-home pay on 25 April 2022. I mention this here as I’m not sure that everyone is aware of this change and am keen for you not to be caught unaware.

Best wishes, 

Rob Haring, CEO 

Update your Personal Details and Download your Payslip 

In April 2022, the Trust are moving to one payroll provider, Midland HR (MHR).

Many staff members currently access payslips through employee self-service. Copies of payslips and P60s stored there will not be transferring across from your current provider to MHR. Access to old payroll systems via employee self-service will cease once we have gone live.

Therefore, please ensure that you have downloaded copies of your individual payslips and P60’s from your current payroll provider, prior to April 2022. You may wish to print these or retain an electronic copy, saved to your own area.

Updating your personal details is really important. If you are yet to update details about any change (such as full name, address, contact number and personal email address) please can you ensure your data is up to date at the earliest opportunity. This will include informing your local school administrator for local systems and informing payroll systems.

If you have any questions relating to this, please contact the HR Team on 01752 891754 ext 1765 or emailing hr@westst.org.uk.

Starter Experience Survey

Closing next Monday—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.

Thank you to those of you who have taken a few minutes out of your busy days to complete our anonymous survey.

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 also how your initial first couple of weeks have gone. 

If you are a new starter with the Trust and have not completed our starter experience survey yet, it continues to be available here or via the QR code until midnight on 31st January. 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.

Thank you.

Big Garden Birdwatch

Simply choose an hour between 28 and 30 January and count the birds that you see land in your garden, local park or from your balcony. Then tell the rspb what you saw.

For more information on the Big Garden Birdwatch, please go here. 

What is an Employee Assistance Programme?

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. Including: 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, just quote that you are an employee of ‘Westcountry Schools Trust’.

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

Have your say in a survey regarding violence against women and girls in Plymouth! Help shape the agenda of the new Commission, set up to help improve safety in the city.

Deadline 13 Feb https://bit.ly/3KbBEPb

Recruitment update:

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

Westcountry Schools Trust are looking for the following vacancies:

Director of Education - We are seeking to appoint an exceptional individual with vision, energy and inspirational leadership to the position of Director of Education. The key purpose of the Director of Education is to effect consistent improvement across WeST Schools in order to secure the very best outcomes (better progress than that achieved nationally) for children. In addition, a core focus of this role is the achievement of disadvantaged pupils across the Trust. For more information, please go here. Closing date: Noon, Monday 21 February 2022.

Executive Director of History - The Executive Director of History is a key role that will promote and implement strategies for raising attainment and progress in History predominantly across all WeST secondary schools, but also promoting cross-phase alignment/approach. Working with the School Improvement Team, Headteachers and History Subject Leaders, the role involves both strategic leadership of subject development across the trust, alongside day-to-day support of History departments. For more information, please go here. Closing date: 31 January 2022. 

HR Administration Apprentice - This role is suitable for someone who is looking to join the HR profession and begin their HR career. As an HR Administration Apprentice, you will be providing an efficient administrative support Trust wide and helping to deliver an effective, timely and professional HR service. In addition to your role, you will be working towards the HR Support Standard Level 3 qualification, to equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to be an efficient, solutions-focused HR Administrator. The successful candidate will have an interest and motivation to work within the Education sector, with a commitment to the Trust’s visions and values. For more information, please go here. Closing date: 9am Monday 14 February 2022.

Glen Park Primary School are looking for a skilled and creative EYFS Teacher to join their excellent Early Years team to cover a period of maternity leave for four days a week. The successful candidate will be expected to have excellent classroom practice in the Early Years Foundation Stage and possess a willingness to work in partnership with parents. For more information on this role, please go here. Closing date: Monday 31st January.

Hele's School are looking for the following vacancies:

Assistant Principal: Support and Intervention. This is an exciting opportunity to join an ambitious and collegiate Senior Leadership Team and to play a key role in driving forward our quest for sustained excellence. You would be joining a forward-thinking and supportive school, where colleagues are wholly committed to securing the best academic and personal development outcomes for our young people and the best opportunities for our staff. Closing date: 9am on Thursday 27 January 2022. 

Creative and Performing Arts Administration Support Assistant to support the Drama, Art and Music departments with admin, marketing and events management and to help secure the place of the Arts at the heart of Hele’s School and the wider community.The successful applicant will be joining an inspirational team, led by the Head of Creative and Performing Arts. Closing Date: 9am on Monday 31st January 2022. 

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

Ivybridge Community College are looking for the following vacancies: 

Deputy Team Leader in Physical Education - This is a fantastic opportunity for a well-qualified, confident and enthusiastic teacher to join a highly valued department at a highly successful and oversubscribed College.  As a College, we are committed to providing an excellent education for ages 11-18.  Inherent in everything we do is a culture of high expectation and aspirations. Closing date: 9am on Wednesday, 2 February 2022.

Teacher of Science with a Physics specialism - Ivybridge Community College is committed to providing an excellent education for ages 11-18 years old and is looking forward to appointing an exceptional, inspirational teacher of Science (Physics specialism preferred) to join a successful Science Department which is highly valued by the Governors and Leadership Team. Closing date: 9am on Thursday, 3 February 2022. 

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

Callington Community College are looking for Teacher of Health and Social Care. Callington are looking for a talented, enthusiastic and inspirational candidate, with outstanding inter-personal skills, to teach Health and Social Care. Callington would expect the successful candidate to be able to teach across the Key Stages. This post is suitable for an experienced teacher or NQT with a passion for Health and Social Care. For more information, please go here. Closing date: Monday 7 February 2022. 

Coombe Dean School are looking for the following vacancies: 

Skilled Administrator to support their SEN & Exams teams. You should be able to remain calm under pressure and have excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Experience of SIMS would also be an advantage. The successful candidate must have Level 2 English and Maths. For more information, please go here. Closing date: 31 January 2022 9am. 

Teacher of Technology required from either Easter or September. The successful candidate will be a creative and innovative classroom practitioner. The ability to engage, enthuse and inspire young people and colleagues to achieve success is key. For more information, please go here. Closing date: 7 February 2022 9am. 

South Dartmoor Community College are looking for a Sports Centre - Assistant Manager to work alongside their Community Sports Manager at our Ashmoor Sports Centre based at the College. Ashburton is known as the ‘Gate Way to Dartmoor’, as you will see the complex is set in a picturesque rural setting. The Ashmoor Centre is used by students and the public; facilities include a Gym, Sports Hall, Dance Studios, Tennis Courts, Golfing Range, Cricket Nets, vast grass sports pitches and our new, floodlit 3G Football pitch. For more information on all vacancies, please go here. Closing Date: Monday 07 February 2022, 8.00 am. 

Internal Vacancy – For WeST employees only

Deputy ICT Support Manager - 37 hours per week, 44 weeks per year. Grade F, actual starting salary £26,126 per year. Eggbuckland are seeking to recruit a highly motivated Deputy ICT Support Manager to work alongside our thriving and active ICT support services. Duties will include assisting with managing the network including maintaining network user accounts, maintaining the network infrastructure and all site servers, and cloud management. For further details contact Carrie McCoy cmccoy@eggbuckland.com for a Job Description, Person Specification and application form.  Closing date: 9am, Wednesday 2nd February 2022. 

Internal Vacancy - Facilities Manager Assistant 

The Trust are looking for a methodical and experienced individual to support the Facilities Manager with the operational delivery of hard facilities (compliance, maintenance and project works) and property management services. The successful candidate will support with the delivery of the transformation of WeST workplaces and estate buildings with the objective of driving change and improving performance through the provision of cost-effective stimulating workplace environments. The full job description and person specification are available from Recruitment@westst.org.uk ; completed expressions of interest should be submitted to Recruitment@westst.org.uk Closing date: 9am Wednesday 2 February.