Good luck to our Year 6 children as they complete their 2022 SATs! Also, though, a thank you to everyone involved in the co-ordination and administration of the SATs – not an easy undertaking!

A short note to signpost in advance some up-coming leadership and staffing vacancies in our schools.

Whilst on the theme of recruitment I am delighted to confirm that Simon O’Neill has been appointed as Executive Director of Science and will take up post on a full time basis from September 2022.

WeST primary Initial Teacher Training (ITT). As previously mentioned we are very excited about the adjustment to our existing provision and will be recruiting to our new style programme (under-pinned by University of Worcester) from next week. I am strongly seeking your support in this regard. As the promotional materials become available do share them widely across your networks including family and friends. Exciting times.

In similar fashion, I again raise the growing importance of NPQLTD for our colleagues who are, or might be, involved in ITT delivery or mentorship of ECTs. WeST will be running a sovereign cohort (via Teach First) for WeST teaching staff to gain the NPQLTD qualification in September 2022.  The cost of a delegate on the NPQLTD programme is fully funded by the DfE but schools will need to meet the cost of ‘cover’ at a local level. I ask, then, that if you are interested, please do speak to your Headteacher about being involved in a future cohort. The application round for the next cohort is likely to open later in the Summer Term.

Plymouth Curriculum Excellence training event at the Crowne Plaza on Wednesday 25 May. Thank you to Hele’s School, Plympton St Maurice Primary School, Plymstock School, Boringdon Primary School, Sherford Vale School, Coombe Dean School and Eggbuckland Community College for registering delegates for this excellent day. I strongly encourage at least two delegates from every Plymouth WeST School to attend the sessions being led by Richard Light, Karl Sampson and Bradley Simmons.

The flyer and application form (free) can be found here

Curriculum Excellence - Cross Phase Programme Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

Best wishes, 

Rob Haring, CEO 

An 8-week Online Mindfulness Course, delivered through

MS Teams, Thursdays 4.15-5.45pm

This course is open to all WeST staff. Ideally you will have completed the .B Foundations taster session, e.g. as was delivered as part of the ‘Looking After Number 1’ training on the February 28 non-pupil day. If you have not done this, then make contact with Richard Woodland (rwoodland@weststs.org.uk or 07736 938677) to discuss if this course is suitable for you.

There is no charge for this course but participants will need to purchase a copy of the book around which the .B programme is structured: Williams, M and Penman D, (2011) Finding Peace in a Frantic World. 

Please complete a short registration form and questionnaire if you would like to book a place on the course, by 3pm Friday 13 May, 2022.

Either scan the QR below or use this link:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=H74x0ghpjEO5_sDOHVTP6kReAnkfXnZDgs6uabBrt_RUMExYRjFFQlhKSTVKSTIzV1JFUlM2OEFHMS4u

Financial Health Check

Whatever the situation with your finances, it’s good to know where you stand and that you are making the most of what you have. The budget planner enables you to do a financial health check, it’s a new online money adviser from the Money Helper and is for everyone.

The Money Helper is an independent advice organisation, here to help everyone understand and manage their money better.

Taking just 10 minutes to answer some straightforward questions on the health check will give you a personalised action plan to help you sort out your money priorities now, and plan for the future – whatever your goals may be.

Best of all - it’s free and it’s unbiased. Visit: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/budgeting/budget-planner

Did you know that Money Helper provides a range of online guides and calculators? Its free to use and sponsored by the Department for Works and Pensions. It has a joint commitment to ensure that people throughout the UK have guidance and access to the information they need to make effective financial decisions over their lifetime. They also offer online, WhatsApp, and telephone support for a personal and confidential discussion.

Visit: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en  

Support available includes:

  • Advice and guides to help improve your finances
  • Tools and calculators to help keep track and plan ahead
  • Support over the phone and online

The resources cover a wide range of financial areas from debts and borrowing, to financial planning, to housing, cars, insurances, and more! In addition, they have a specialist pension and retirement area with a range of tools and information.

If you are looking for specific company pension information you may wish to visit:

https://www.peninsulapensions.org.uk/ (LGPS)

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/cornwall-pension-fund/ (LGPS)

https://www.teacherspensions.co.uk/ (TPS)

Did you know that you may be able to access grant support too? Or perhaps you may know a former staff member from education who needs a little support? There are a range of schemes providing financial grants for personal circumstances which don’t need to be repaid. Full details of current schemes are on the Staff Portal.

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 31st May. 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.

WeST are continuing to work with our employee assistance provider, Care First, and excited to provide staff to access to the My Possible Self App.

My Possible Self (MPS) is a mental-health focused app you can use anywhere, anytime! It includes interactive tools and techniques, using cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), customised for digital use.

What is CBT?

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help you make sense of overwhelming problems by breaking them down into smaller parts. In CBT, problems are broken down into five main areas – situations, thoughts, emotions, physical feelings and actions.

In-the-moment activities

Tools you can use every day to guide you through your life journey – identify habits you want to change, manage anxiety, tackle depression, improve sleep or reduce stress.

Tools you can use every day

Learn to reframe negative thoughts into positive thoughts. Track activities you enjoy. Identify areas causing anxiety, and become aware of the thinking traps you fall into. Get insights to help you understand yourself better, and do more of the things you like. 

Take a moment

Help calm your busy mind with relaxation exercises, guided meditations, yoga, massage and grounding exercises. Get into good sleeping habits to improve your wellbeing.

Make small behavioural changes

There’s solid scientific evidence that the toolkits actually work. The more time you spend using them, the better your results will be.

In short, the more you put in, the more you’ll get out! My Possible Self will be there every step of the way.

My Possible Self is available for Android™ and iOS devices, as well as a web app through your

favourite browser. Head on over to the website or you can download the app from the App Store or Google Play.

Exclusive access for WeST staff with the code:

Link: https://portal.my-possible-self.com/westcountryschools/my-possible-self/register

Passcode: W3sTCo22

Meaningful May 

06 May 2022
T&L Newsletter
Welcome to the Summer 1 edition of the WeST wide T&L newsletter. 
Read more

Recruitment update:

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

Westcountry Schools Trust is seeking to appoint an exceptional individual with vision, energy and inspirational leadership to the position of Assistant Headteacher at Sherford Vale School. The Assistant Headteacher will be required to support the Headteacher on a day-to-day basis with the leadership of the school and with the delivery of the WeST strategic direction, to optimise learning for all children and work cooperatively with colleagues in the implementation of making our school an even better place to learn and work. For more information, please go here. Closing date: noon on 20 May 2022. 

Boringdon Primary School are looking to appoint a Teaching Assistant. Boringdon are offering a highly rewarding career with plenty of opportunities for professional development. Their enduring aim is to ensure that all staff are well trained, motivated and provided with the support they need to fulfil their roles with confidence and warmth. For more information, please go here. Closing date: 12 noon on Friday, 20 May 2022. 

Chaddlewood Primary School would like to recruit an LSA to its KS2 team. Chaddlewood is a school that is passionate about delivering an effective and engaging curriculum that meets the needs of their children and community and enables their children to meet their potential. Chaddlewood are looking for colleagues to support our vision to provide this. Closing date: Friday 27 May. 

Glen Park Primary School are looking to appoint a talented and creative teacher to join their hardworking and dedicated team. This is a great opportunity for an individual in the early stages of their teaching career. If you have the commitment to work in a school that is continually striving to ensure the highest possible standards of pupil achievement, personal development and well-being, your application would be very welcome. For more information, please go here. Closing date: Friday 13 May.

Sherford Vale School & Nursery are looking for the following vacancies:

Cleaner - you should be a cheerful and motivated to work with the team to create a clean and safe learning environment. For more information, please go here. Closing date: Monday 23 May at 10am. 

Caretaker - as the sole caretaker at a brand new and growing school you will be responsible for undertaking maintenance tasks both reactive and planned work. You will also undertake inspections of the school and resolve any findings. The role will also include undertaking security lockdown and opening of the school premises. You will be expected to embrace a positive Health and Safety culture. For more information, please go here. Closing date: Midday Wednesday 25 May 2022. 

Callington Community College are looking for the following vacancies: 

Teacher of English - Callington are looking for a talented, enthusiastic and inspirational candidate, with outstanding inter-personal skills, to teach English. Callington would expect the successful candidate to be able to teach across the Key Stages. Closing date: Monday 16 May 2022. 

Teacher of Mathematics - Callington are looking for a talented, enthusiastic and inspirational candidate, with outstanding inter-personal skills, to teach Mathematics. Callington would expect the successful candidate to be able to teach across Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 5. Closing date: Monday 16 May 2022. 

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

Coombe Dean School are looking for an Attendance and Liaison Officer with an eye for detail who will help us to promote high levels of attendance, to support students to achieve their full potential and to promote a positive attendance and punctuality culture. For more information, please go here. Closing date: 15 May 2022. 

Eggbuckland Community College are looking for the following vacancies:

Science Technician - This is an exciting opportunity to enhance an already highly successful and motivated team. To provide support for the Science Department, advising on correct and safe use of equipment, preparation of apparatus and chemical solutions. Closing date: 9am, Wednesday 18 May 2022. 

Teacher of English + TLR - Due to a successful internal promotion, there is another exciting opportunity to join the Eggbuckland English team from September 2022. Closing date: 9am, Wednesday 18 May 2022. 

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

Hele’s School has a number of exciting opportunities for teaching and support staff available:

 

  • Cleaner – 15 Hours
  • Cleaner – 25 Hours
  • Cleaning Supervisor
  • ICT Technician
  • Premises Caretaker
  • Teacher of Religious Studies
  • Teacher of History

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

Ivybridge Community College are looking for the following vacancies: 

  • Assistant Principal – Teaching and Learning, Inclusive Education (Closing date: 9am, on Monday, 16 May 2022) 
  • Teacher of Mathematics (Closing date: 9am on Thursday, 19 May 2022) 

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

Plymstock School are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and engaging teacher to join their Science Department. In addition to being a creative practitioner, you will have the commitment and energy to encourage all students to excel and aspire to attain their highest academic and personal goals. The Science Department consistently strives to support all students in fulfilling their potential. Our team is defined by a commitment to innovative and challenging teaching that is highly student-centred. We strive to inspire our students through our curriculum design and to enable students of all abilities, to achieve excellence in Science through our high expectations for each student.Closing Date: 10am Sunday 15 May 2022 - shortlisting will take place on Sunday 15 May and successful applicants will be contacted immediately to invite to interview.

South Dartmoor Community College are seeking to appoint a highly organised, enthusiastic and inspirational Year Leader. This is a full time, permanent position. The successful candidate will work closely with the Directors of Key Stages and the Assistant Head teachers for Progress and Culture to ensure all students in Year 7 fulfil their potential. S/he will be a hard-working individual with high expectations and an unwavering determination to get the best for students. For more information, please go here. Closing date: Monday 23 May 2022.