Stress Awareness Month

April is known as Stress Awareness Month, and we hope to raise awareness of the support available to WeST colleagues.

Identifying triggers / factors creating stress, be that personal or professional, can then enable us to explore solutions / strategies to manage stress. This may be something you consider yourself or may be something you discuss with your line manager.

Materials from Care First can be accessed confidentially by staff members on any internet enabled device. This includes a stress test questionnaire to identify bespoke information, advice and guidance.

In addition, Care First are offing a special webinar for all WeST colleagues on ‘Managing Stress and Pressure’ on Friday 8th April at 12pm, please use the below link to register for this session –

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3822902295965650702

If you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the session can be accessed using the same link above after the webinar has taken place.

Safety and Wellbeing for all Training Day 

The session from the Safety and Wellbeing for all training day on Fitness and Wellbeing is now available to watch on our staff portal.

To login on our staff portal, please use the details below. 

Username: staff@westst.org.uk 

Password: west  

Westcountry Schools Trust - Wellbeing and Safety for all Training Day (westst.org.uk)

Please go to the Health & Wellbeing section to watch the session. 

This day was 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 was delivered by Jay Unwin, from Fit Body Fit Mind. 

Staff Survey

Following the summary results in last week’s Weekly Whistle, we are pleased to confirm the report is available for everyone to review on the staff portal.

We can confirm 691 colleagues participated and equates to 31% across the Trust. School leaders have been provided with individual reports for each business unit and the Executive Team have reviewed all information / analysis. This will inform Trust wide action plans and details of next steps will be in future weekly whistles.

Thank you to everyone who shared their feedback in this process.

Active April 

South West Institute for Teaching ‘Literacy Conference’ 2022

The South West Institute for Teaching ‘Literacy Conference’ 2022 is taking place on Thursday 26 May at Exeter Racecourse. To book on the conference please follow the link here.

Conference includes:

  • Keynote speeches from leading national figures in education – David Didau, John Tomsett and Helen Prince
  • Choice of inspiring workshops from national and regional experts
  • Networking opportunities with school leaders
  • Exhibition from education sponsors
  • Buffet lunch and refreshments

To find out more information about this event, please go here. 

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.

Recruitment update:

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

Ashburton Primary School are looking for the following vacancies:

Teacher - If you are an enthusiastic and highly motivated teacher who is committed to ensuring that all children achieve high standards and enjoy their learning, then Ashburton would love you to join their team. You will need to have experience teaching EYFS as well as other Key Stage 1 classes. You will need to work Mondays (EYFS), Thursdays and Fridays (KS1) all day. These days are not negotiable due to job share. Closing date: Monday 4 April 2022. 

Teaching Assistant (Learning, Behaviour and Social Support Assistant) - You will need to be enthusiastic, have a knowledge of how children learn and be committed to a collaborative approach working with colleagues to deliver the highest quality support and best possible outcomes for each child. You should have a clear understanding of safeguarding and be passionate about working with children. Closing date: Monday 4 April 2022. 

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

Chaddlewood Primary School is looking to appoint a teacher with KS2 experience to work in Year 3 part time (0.5 contract). Chaddlewood are looking for someone to join their team, from September 2022, who can demonstrate passion and enthusiasm for achieving both the best for the children in their class and playing their part in our successful staff team on our journey. For more information, please go here. Closing date: 9am Monday 25 April 2022. 

Holbeton Primary School are looking for a Teaching Assistant to work in their year 3/4 class whilst also providing interventions to children across the school. This post will also require some small group teaching of Read Write Inc for which full training will be provided. Holbeton are seeking to recruit a highly supportive, friendly and experienced Teaching Assistant to join their expanding team of staff. For more information, please go here. Closing date: Monday 4 April 2022. 

Ivybridge Community College are looking for the following vacancies: 

  • Assistant Principal – Teaching and Learning, Inclusive Education
  • Assistant Principal – Director of English
  • Head of Chemistry
  • PE Assistant

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

Eggbuckland Community College are looking for the following vacancies: 

Curriculum Team Leader of Performing Arts to provide professional leadership and management of our Performing Arts Faculty in order to secure an ambitious curriculum built on sound principles and the effective implementation of this curriculum. Closing date: 9am, Friday 22 April 2022. 

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

Internal Vacancies 

Eggbuckland Community College are looking for a Teacher of Musical Drama. MPS/UPS, required from 3 May 2022. FTE 0.7727 (or 0.8500 for ECTyr1), on a fixed term contract until August 2022. An opportunity has arisen to appoint a teacher on a fixed term contract, with great drive and determination, who has the ability to inspire students and further raise attainment in Music and Drama. This post would be suitable for an experienced teacher or an Early Careers Teacher.

Eggbuckland are looking for an ambitious individual who:

  • holds QTS and ideally has a degree with a drama or music specialism
  • can build positive relationships with students of all ages and backgrounds
  • is passionate about performing arts and musical theatre
  • is a good team player, committed to raising achievement
  • is organised, efficient and flexible 
  • is excited about the opportunity to work strategically with the Head of Drama to raise the achievement of our students.

If you are interested in applying, please complete the attached Application Form and return to Carrie McCoy, cmccoy@eggbuckland.com by 9am, on Wednesday 6 April 2022.