Wellbeing and Safety for All - Monday 28 February 

On the 28 February we will be holding a support staff training day which will consist of various training sessions across the WeST sites.

Below you will find an outline of the 6 training session on offer:

· “Looking after Number 1” a session based on understanding how self-compassion and awareness can support mental and physical health through the five ways to wellbeing. This will include an introduction to mindfulness. It will be delivered by Richard Woodland, Director of Inclusion, WeST. This session will be held all day at Morley Meadow School Hall. 

· “Fitness and Wellbeing - mental health from a different angle” Over four 75 minutes sessions this day is aimed at helping colleagues understand the 5 pillars of a fit and healthy lifestyle and explore actionable strategies to change habits around mental and physical fitness. It will be delivered by Jay Unwin, from Fit Body Fit Mind. This session will be held at Plymstock School from 9.00-15.30. To access a promo video for this session, please visit the staff portal here.

· “Passive Intervention and Prevention Strategies” This course will be led by Anthony Boulton from Babcock LDP and is suitable for any staff who may find themselves in a position where they need to have physical contact with pupils. More details can be found on the Babcock LDP website. Spaces are limited so if you wish to book a place for any staff early please use this MS Form now. This session will be held all day at Hele's School. 

· “Restorative Approaches” This session is aimed at any staff who wish to find out more about how restorative approaches can be used across schools. The learning would be applicable to any situation where relationships have been strained by an event, e.g. pupil-staff, pupil-pupil and staff-staff interactions, but is particularly aimed at Behaviour Managers and Pastoral Staff. This session will be led by Roger Hutchinson, Behaviour Specialist from the WeST School Improvement Team. This session will be held all day at Ivybridge Community College. 

· “Creating a Culture of Safeguarding” This session is aimed at Reception/Front Office staff, Operations Managers, School Business Managers and others who are responsible for any aspect of our schools where ‘first impressions count.’ Led by Jon Galling, Senior Safeguarding Officer at Babcock LDP it will look at how staff in these roles can ensure that site security, telephone procedures, CCTV, visitor sign-in and face to face welcomes etc. can promote a culture of safeguarding from the first contact an external visitor has at your school. This session will be held at WeST HQ at Morley Meadow Primary School from 9.00-12.00pm. 

· “Mental Health Awareness for Young People” This course will be led by Jodie Frost from The Zone, Plymouth. It will look at how adults, in any role at a school, can support the mental health of young people. It is particularly relevant for staff in secondary schools, especially those with pastoral or safeguarding roles. This session will be held at Coombe Dean School from 10.30-15.30. 

For booking onto the course, please see the link below to access the Ms form or scan the QR code below. 

MS FORM

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.

National Apprenticeship Week 2022

Next week, 7th – 13th February, is the 15th annual National Apprenticeship Week, an event which brings together businesses and apprentices from across the country to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

The theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2022 is ‘build the future’; reflecting on how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career, and businesses to develop a talented workforce that is equipped with future-ready skills.

The Learning Institute is an approved apprenticeship provider for WeST, currently offering a number of different apprenticeship options including Teacher (Level 6), Teaching Assistant (Level 3), Early Years Educator (Level 3), Coaching Professional (Level 5) and Senior Leader (Level 7). 

Visit the website for more information: www.learninginstitute.co.uk/ourapprenticeships.

Foundation Degree information sessions

If you are considering studying for a foundation degree with The Learning Institute, drop in to one of our upcoming information sessions to find out more.  With taught sessions one day per week, and a combination of face-to-face and live online delivery, the foundation degrees are designed to fit alongside work and family life. Email degrees@learninginstitute.co.uk for more information.

Do you play Trombone?

After the launch of Ivybridge Community Big Band we are pleased to say it is a great success and we are working towards our first concert on Monday 4 April. We are, however, looking for people who play Trombone to join the band as we have none at all. Of course we would also welcome staff members and students who play Trumpet, Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Guitar, Bass Guitar or Drums. The band rehearses in the Performance Hall at Ivybridge Community College from 7.00pm to 8.30pm on alternate Mondays. You might be playing regularly, or you might be a bit rusty, but as a guide this would be suitable for any musician of about Grade 4 standard or above who can read music to a reasonable standard. You would join an ensemble that includes staff and students from the college and Westcountry Schools Trust, along with ex-students and members of the local community. It’s completely free to take part.

For further information email: swhitehorn@ivybridge.devon.sch.uk

The rehearsal dates for this term are:

Monday 7 February 2022 – 7.00pm to 8.30pm

Monday 14 February 2022 – 7.00pm to 8.30pm

Monday 7 March 2022 – 7.00pm to 8.30pm

Monday 21 March 2022 – 7.00pm to 8.30pm

Monday 4 April 2022 – Concert at Ivybridge Community College - Times to be confirmed. 

HR Update

28th February – Whole Staff CPD

Just a reminder to you all that Monday 28th February is our designated ‘6th’ whole Trust training day for all staff. To clarify, this day falls within contracted time for all support staff scheduled to work on a Monday, including those on 38 week arrangements, and there is an expectation that CPD activities are undertaken on this date.  Please do engage with local or Trust-wide opportunities to work on your own professional development and agree these with your line manager, whether this  is self-directed learning, local school-based training/development or a WeST-wide initiative. If you are a part-time member of staff and Monday 28th February would not ordinarily be a working day, it is still possible to take part in CPD activities by flexing your working pattern or through an additional paid time (where such flexibility cannot be accommodated by the school/business unit).

Update on Support Staff Pay Award wef 1st April 2021

The Trust aligns its support staff pay and conditions with the National Joint Council; this includes national pay awards. As a result of the ongoing pay dispute the pay award has unfortunately not yet been settled. The latest position is that unions have rejected the National Employers’ full and final one-year pay offer of 1.75% and are at different stages of industrial action ballots. UNISON’s formal ballot was not successful in gaining sufficient support for national strike action.  GMB and Unite are approaching their ballots slightly differently at local employer level and outcomes are as yet unknown. National advice is not to action the pending 1.75% award at local level ahead of a national collective agreement.  Therefore, the Trust is not in a position to implement any award at present.  Further updates will follow as/when matters develop. 

Covid School Operational Guidance – Pregnancy Risk Assessment

The WeST pregnancy-related risk assessment has been updated to keep pace with changes in the Operational Guidance. A key change is the necessity to undertake a review at the 26-week point (as opposed to 28), but there are also other differences. Anyone who newly notifies us of a pregnancy, or who is approaching the 26 week point of their pregnancy will be asked to complete this updated version with their line manager. 

National Storytelling Week -January 30, 2022 - February 6, 2022

National Storytelling Week is celebrated for a full week in February. Stories are chosen and are told between the teller and the listener. It's a fantastic way for people to share their own story, or even invent something entirely new - it's also endlessly entertaining

For more information on National Storytelling Week, please go here. 

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

A reminder that WeST staff can now access Workplace Extras to make use of a brand-new workplace benefit - Discounted Gift Cards.

Discounted Gift Cards are the smart way to shop. With a little planning, you can save on the upfront cost of everything from your weekly shop to coffee to go, clothing to homeware, and much more.

To access Discounted Gift Cards via Workplace Extras, please speak to your school/business unit HR admin contact who will be able to provide you with the link for your school/business unit.

You'll be asked to complete your account registration by entering your details and verifying your email address. Once you've registered, you'll be all set to access and enjoy a wide range of Discounted Gift Cards.

Any questions?  Please contact hr@westst.org.uk

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 MFL - The Executive Director for MFL is a key role that will promote and implement strategies for raising attainment and progress in MFL predominantly across all WeST secondary schools, but also promoting cross-phase alignment/approach. Working with the School Improvement Team, Headteachers and MFL Subject Leaders, the role involves both strategic leadership of subject development across the trust, alongside day to day support of MFL departments. For more information, please go here. Closing date: Monday 14th of February 2022 at 12 noon.

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.

School Business Accountant - We are seeking to appoint an exceptional finance individual/s to join its Finance team in the position of School Business Accountant working across its schools. The successful applicant must have a recognised professional accountancy qualification and a proven track record of success in financial leadership and management, and delivering accounting and other financial information ideally for a large and complex business. For more information, please go here. Closing date: 9am Thursday 10 February. 

Teaching Assistant (fixed term - maternity cover): The Breakwater - Plymouth Inclusion Centre - This is an exciting opportunity to join the newly established Breakwater alternative provision, and exciting collaboration between Plymouth secondary schools and Plymouth City Council. Ted Wragg Multi-Academy Trust and Westcountry Schools Trust are working in partnership to provide bespoke support to small groups of pupils in Year 7 and 8. If you believe you can demonstrate the dedication, skills and passion required, we look forward to receiving your application. For more information, please go here. Appointment to our Teaching Assistant (Maternity Cover) position will be on a rolling basis; the Trust may call to interview and appoint a suitable candidate from the point of their application. 

Wembury Primary School are seeking to appoint a skilled Teaching Assistant to join their happy and successful team. This position will start as soon as possible. You will be providing 1 to 1 support (Key Stage 2) and must have excellent communication skills. We are looking for a warm individual, with initiative and patience. The successful candidate must be willing to engage fully in the life of our school, be flexible and work as part of a friendly, supportive team with high expectations. For more information, please go here. Closing date: Thursday 10th February 2022 - 12.00 Noon. 

Oreston Community Academy are looking to appoint a dedicated and enthusiastic teacher to join our friendly and supportive school team to cover maternity leave. You would be joining their Year 6 team to provide leadership release and PPA cover playing a key role in continuing to raise achievement for all through high quality teaching and learning. For more information, please go here. Closing date: Monday 14th February at 3pm. 

Chaddlewood Primary School are looking for MTA's. Chaddlewood have a variety of days available for MTA's. The job description is below along with the application form can be accessed here. The role is for 1 1/4 hours per day and is paid at a rate of £9.50 per hour. 

Ivybridge Community College are looking for the following vacancies: 

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.

An exceptional, inspirational teacher of Physical Education to join a successful department which is highly valued by the Governors and Leadership Team. Closing date: 9am on Wednesday, 9 February 2022. 

An exceptional individual into the role of PE Assistant at Ivybridge Community College. The post holder will work under supervision and direction as part of a professional team to support learning by providing assistance, through the preparation and day-to-day maintenance of teaching resources and administrative support. Closing date: 9am on Thursday, 10 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. 

Cleaner - Permanent. 15 hours pw/41 weeks pa, Actual part-time salary £6512 per annum (pro rata of £17,842 FTE). 3-6 pm Monday to Friday. Hele's School are seeking to appoint a cleaner to Commence as soon as possible. Further details of the role are available here. Closing date: February 10th 2022. 

Plymstock School are looking for an outstanding Administrator to ensure the provision of excellent customer service through the effective line management of the School Receptionist and First Aid team. The successful candidate will oversee and maintain the school’s strategic and operational systems including SIMS, and ensure effective co-ordination and integration of administrative and support functions within the school setting. For more information, please go here. Closing date: 9am Thursday 10 February 2022. Interview Date: Week commencing Monday 14 February 2022. 

Coombe Dean School are looking for the following vacancies: 

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. 

A 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: 7th February 2022, 9am. 

South Dartmoor Community College are looking for the following vacancies: 

Casual Examination Invigilators - The successful candidates will be hardworking, self-motivated and enjoy working in a team as well as under their own initiative. Previous experience within this area would be advantageous. You will be a committed and loyal individual; with high expectations and an unwavering determination to get the best for students. Closing Date: Monday, 07 February 2022 at 8.00 am.

Ashmoor Duty Supervisor - South Dartmoor Community College and the Atrium are currently looking for a motivated individual to work alongside their Community Sports Manager at their Ashmoor Sports Centre based here 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. Closing Date: Monday 07 February 2022, 8.00 am. 

Teacher 0.6 FTE Design & Technology (to cover maternity up to 1 year) - This is a part-time, fixed term contract for up to one year with the possibility of 1.0 FTE to be negotiated. The successful candidate must be able to deliver the curriculum to a high level, across the subject, and will work closely with the Design & Technology team. The successful candidate will be a hard-working individual; a teacher with high expectations and an unwavering determination to get the best outcomes for students. Closing Date: Monday 14 February 2022 at 8.00 am.

Please go here for more information on the above vacancies.