Welcome to this week’s edition of the ‘Whistle’. I open with a quick reference to our values.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In particular, our value of ‘Collaboration’, since this value acts as a golden-thread through so many aspects of our work. For instance, I was privileged last week to see first-hand our secondary Heads of Geography meet to discuss and plan their curriculum offer. I was also fortunate to be actively involved in evaluating the curriculum in one of our secondary schools last Wednesday. Both present as examples of WeST colleagues committing time to meet, discuss and shape our on-going work. Collaboration, then, is a mechanism for the amplification of performance.

As signposted last week, I am now delighted to share the promotional material for our WeST primary ITT for September 2022. Please do share this widely through your networks.

Maintaining the theme of collaboration, but with a developmental thread, I want to raise awareness of up-coming opportunities for engaging in NPQs, specifically NPQLTD and NPQLT. Applications for the next cohort open on Monday 6 June with delivery starting in the Autumn Term 2022. We are very keen to operate two sovereign WeST cohorts, one in NPQLT and the other in NPQLTD meaning that WeST colleagues from different schools will get to work and learn alongside each other as they complete the programme.

I am pleased to signpost these three leadership opportunities in WeST schools:

  • Headteacher at Yealmpton Primary School
  • Assistant Headteacher at Sherford Vale School
  • Assistant Headteacher at Stowford School

I am also aware that schools are experiencing some last minute resignations.

A final shout-out for the Plymouth Curriculum Excellence training event at the Crowne Plaza on Wednesday 25 May. We are closing the availability of places this close of play today.

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

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

I am absolutely delighted to inform you that ‘Arena’ have appointed Amy Garnett to their delivery team. To those of you unfamiliar to Amy, she has been capped in excess of 100 times by England women’s Rugby team. If you are interested do reach out directly to Michelle Roberts to find out more or as to how you might wish to utilise Amy in your schools.

Finally, good luck to all those who started A level & GCSE examinations this week.

Have a great week.

Best wishes, 

Rob Haring, CEO

Care first - Confidentiality

It can take some courage to pick up the phone and contact Care first to ask for some support with personal or workplace issues. We at Care first know that and treat whatever you have to say to us with the greatest respect. Sometimes people hesitate and wonder is our discussion confidential?

Care first guarantees confidentiality when you call 0800 174 319.

The only exceptions to this are high-risk areas when it would be irresponsible of us ethically not to take action with what we are hearing. These areas are namely: The threat to the life of another person, when there are child protection or vulnerable adult issues at stake or when a caller’s actions pose a threat to the security of your organisation. In all such cases the counsellor will discuss with the caller how best s/he needs to act responsibly. Any ethical counselling organisation needs to be alert to these risk areas and Care first leads the way in working with callers to help find solutions when these issues are broached.

Your Trust does not know who uses our service unless the individual personally chooses to tell someone about his or her contact with Care first. We do provide statistics to your Trust to show how many employees use the service and the broad types of issues that employees raise with us, for example; ‘relationship breakdown at home’ or ‘bullying and harassment in the workplace’, so no information is ever passed on which could potentially identify you.

 

New Eyecare Voucher Request Process

We have been working hard to create an easy, efficient way to apply for Eyecare Vouchers that we offer to qualifying staff across the Trust. We have created the attached FAQ document to answer any of your queries regarding the vouchers, as well as a Microsoft Form for submitting your voucher request. Using the QR code above or the link at https://forms.office.com/r/sMF54BKkd2, you can quickly and conveniently file your application once you have booked your appointment with Specsavers or Vision Express!

 

Details of the full process can be found within the FAQ document delivered alongside this week’s Weekly Whistle.

You can also find the FAQs under Health and Wellbeing on the Staff Portal at https://www.westst.org.uk/staff [username: staff@westst.org.uk; password: west]. 

Starter Experience Survey

Once again we would like to take this opportunity to welcome all our new starters to WeST.  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 31 May.  

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.

Meaningful May 

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. 

Holbeton Primary School are looking for a Y3/4 Class Teacher. This would also be an ideal opportunity for an early career teacher who will work in an established team with the support of the Headteacher. You will need to be inspirational and reflective, show initiative, creativity and demonstrate the aptitude to work as part of a successful team of practitioners to improve the life chances of our pupils and make every child feel ‘special’. For more information, please go here. Closing date: Monday 6 June 2022 by 12 noon.

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. 

Stowford School are looking for the following vacancies: 

Assistant Headteacher L1-L4 - The Assistant Headteacher will work with, and be directly responsible to, the Headteacher to provide leadership and management of the teaching and learning of all pupils. In partnership, they will be responsible for ensuring the educational success of the school within the overall framework of Westcountry Schools Trust as well as the individual school development plan. Closing date: 9am on Monday 23 May 2022.

EYFS Teacher (1.0 Permanent) - Stowford are looking for someone to join their team who will teach full time and demonstrate passion and enthusiasm for achieving both the best for the children in their class and playing their part in the successful staff team on our forward journey. The role is suitable for an EYFS practitioner with early reading, maths and phonics skills. Closing date: 9am on Monday 23 May 2022.

Meal Time Assistant (Grade A) - Stowford are looking for a creative, flexible and proactive candidate with a strong knowledge of how to support learning and provide care for children. Please apply as soon as possible.

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

Woodford Primary School is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic, conscientious and self-motivated Cleaner to provide a key role in maintaining the cleanliness of our school site, ensuring a welcoming and safe environment for the whole school community. The hours will be 2 hours per day Monday to Friday during term time with a more flexible approach during the 3 week periodic clean (1-week spring break/2-week summer break) under the supervision of the Site Manager. For more information, please go here. 

Eggbuckland Community College are looking to appoint a Pastoral Support Administrator as soon as possible, Monday to Friday (at times to be agreed). To provide administrative support for the Inclusion Team, supervising vulnerable students and promoting engagement with learning. Duties will include support with internal attendance systems, escorting students to and from lessons and liaising with teachers, heads of year and parents/carers. For more information, please go here. Closing date: 9am, Wednesday 25 May 2022. 

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

  • ICT Technician (Closing date 9am Thursday 19 May 2022) 
  • Teacher of Religious Studies (Closing date: 9am, Monday 23 May 2022) 

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

Ivybridge Community College are looking for the following vacancies: 

  • Director of Science (Closing date: 9am, Monday 23 May 2022) 
  • Teacher of Media and English (Closing date: 9am, Monday 23 May 2022) 
  • Teacher of Mathematics (Closing date: 9am, Thursday 19 May 2022) 
  • Administrator (Closing date: 9am, Thursday 26 May 2022) 
  • Senior Administrator (Part-Time) (Closing date: 9am, Thursday 26 May 2022) 

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

Plymstock School are looking for the following vacancies: 

  • Teacher of French 0.6FTE (9am on 22 May 2022) 
  • Teacher of Science (9am on 22 May 2022) 
  • Teacher of Girls Physical Education 0.6FTE (Fixed Term until 31 August 2023) (9am on 23 May 2022) 

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

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.