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Welcome back to the new 2022-23 academic year.

I hope everyone was able to take the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful summer weather and spend time with family and friends.

Before I look forward to the year ahead, I’d like to take a moment to glance back to the start of the 2021-22 academic year when we were very much focused on our risk assessments, system of controls, and, in the secondary phase, testing centres for LFDs to prevent the spread of infection. On reflection, then, we have learnt how to live with COVID and can look forward with a degree of optimism to a year of far less disruption!

In traditional fashion, I start with a few welcomes and introductions. Sue Costello joins us in the role of Director of Education, Amy Pearce joins us from Teach First as Director of Training and Learning (whilst Ruth Woodhouse is on maternity leave) and Ruth Baptiste takes up post as the new Headteacher of Austin Farm Academy. Roger Hutchinson has taken on the role of Lead Practitioner of Coaching and Behaviour and Lauren Partridge Lead Practitioner of RE. Furthermore, I extend a warm welcome to everyone who has joined a WeST school this year and wish you every success in your role.

In contrast, and with a heavy heart, I announce that Esther Best will be leaving WeST and her position of Headteacher at Oreston Community Academy on 31 December 2022. Esther has been successful in securing a position as HMI in the SW region and so joins Kelly Olive who similarly progressed from a WeST school to become an HMI just 12 months ago.

I’m sure you will join me in wishing Esther every success in her new role.

It is worth taking a few moments to take a quick look at last year’s performance data which shows that, as a consolidated WeST cohort.

National KS2 statistics were published today which show that the South-West average for RWM% is 57%, 2% below the average for England. In comparison, the average for KS2 RWM% in WeST is 67%. Whilst we take heart in this, our collective challenge is to make sure that an even greater number of our Year 6 children meet this threshold and are ready to progress to secondary education with confidence and the knowledge and skills to succeed.  

Remaining with the theme of moving forward, I’m pleased to share that WeST’s journey to a new model of governance continues to make progress. We are now in the process of recruiting new hub advisory board members. Information about WeST's new hub advisor roles, together with details of how to apply can be found at this link. Please encourage parents, carers and members of the wider community to apply before the deadline of 12 noon, Wednesday 28 September 2022.

I wish everyone a terrific and successful year.

Best wishes, 

Rob Haring, CEO

Attention members of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) via Peninsula Pensions and Cornwall Pensions Fund (Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall Support Staff)!

Thursday 15 September is National Pension Awareness Day. Peninsula and Cornwall Pension Fund have asked us to help them spread the word with some key messages for our support staff members via the Cornwall Pension Fund Newsletter and Peninsula Pensions Line special – both below.

The Trust is supporting the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Associations 2022 Autumn campaign – “Pay your pension some attention”.

Annual Benefit Statements (ABSs)

It is a statutory requirement that our 2022 Annual Benefit Statements (ABS) are dispatched to members by the end of August.

This year we can offer Microsoft Teams webinars to help members understand the ABS, please see below.

Annual Benefit Statements (ABSs) webinars

From 12 to 16 September 2022 it is Pension Awareness Week, so to coincide with this, we are holding 1 hour webinars to walk members through our annual benefit statements i.e. explaining what each field or figure means and covers what members should be checking etc. During these webinars we’ll also talk about our member self-service facility called My Pension Online.

Please contact your local school/workbase office to register an interest in attending a one-hour webinar.

Pension Fund Annual Member Survey

The Pension Fund would like to engage with its members to find out their views on responsible investment and the Fund’s approach to responsible investment. This will allow the Fund to better understand the views of Scheme members on issues such as climate change.

The feedback will then be taken into account when the Fund conducts its annual review of the Fund’s Responsible Investment Policy, later in the year. It will also allow the Fund to establish the best way to communicate with its members on the progress the Fund is making with regards to responsible investment.

Our second annual survey is due to open on 15 August 2022. If you would like to take part in the short survey, once it is open, please visit the following webpage: https://letstalk.cornwall.gov.uk/cornwall-pension-fund/survey_tools/survey-2022

Member Self-Service

Our main source of communication with members is via our secure Member Self Service (MSS) online portal, it is therefore important that you sign up to the service. You can send/receive messages through it as well as update personal details and produce your own pension estimates quickly and easily. We have also just uploaded the 2022 personal benefit statements have you checked yours? More information can be found on our web page Member Self-Service - Peninsula Pensions.

LGPS members only 50/50 option

We understand during times of financial hardship, scheme members may want to reduce their LGPS pension contributions. The 50/50 scheme is designed to help members remain in the pension scheme, paying half the normal contribution rates of the main scheme. You will still build up valuable pensions benefits, retaining full life and ill-health cover, including survivor benefits in the event of your death. More information can be found on our web page 50/50 section - Peninsula Pensions.

Are you thinking of retiring?

Please make sure your email address associated to your MSS account is updated and not your work email address. This will ensure we can send documentation to you through the portal.

Check out our Retiring from active status: the process page which provides you with details of the stages we follow to bring your pension into payment together with the timescales involved.  

Pension Scams

Unfortunately, pension scams are on the rise in the UK with people losing some or all of their pension savings. Scammers have evolved targeting people through social media. 

Information can be found on our website:

Helping members avoid pension scams - Peninsula Pensions

MoneyHelper

The cost of living crisis is affecting a large section of the population. MoneyHelper is a free service provided by the Money and Pension service who are sponsored by the Government.

They provide help and guidance about managing your money in uncertain times – this includes practical advice about living on a squeezed income and help if you’re struggling with bills and payments.

Useful Links

Frequently asked questions : LGPS (lgpsmember.org)

Peninsula Pensions Employers' Pages

LGPS regulations and guidance

Fund Investments

LGPS National Website

Employer & Communications Team Mailbox

Previous editions of Pensions Line

A big welcome to all of our new starters

The new term has brought new faces to the schools and business units across the Trust. We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you all to WeST and 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 2 October. Please also look out for an email with the link later this month 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.

Self Care September 

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Teachers Trampoline Courses at Callington Community College, Cornwall PL17 7DR, 9.30-15.30

BOOKING LINK

Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 September 2022 - Teachers Trampoline Part One Course - £300 per person

Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 September 2022 - Teachers Trampoline Part One Course - £300 per person

Friday 23 September 2022 - Teachers Trampoline Refresher Course - £150 per person

The Teachers’ Trampoline Awards consist of two parts. Part One must be completed before progressing to Part Two. Part One and Part Two courses may run concurrently, consisting of a four-day delivery.

In order to be eligible to attend the Teachers’ Trampoline Awards, a candidate must be:

  • Specialist trained PE teacher, or
  • Trainee PE teacher (undertaking a PGCE, GTP or SCITT or in their 3rd/4th year of a QTS course); or
  • Teachers who are not PE specialists, but hold a current UKCC Level 2 (or higher) BG coaching award, or equivalent.
  • Teachers must provide their DfE or trainee PE teacher number on the first day of the course.
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Recruitment update:

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

Arena are looking for enthusiastic and dedicated sports coaches to join their highly successful team. Due to an increase in their work programme they have a vacancy for a sports development coach to cover the Plympton South Hams area of the sports partnership. The role will be for approximately 20 – 25 hours hours per week, but this could increase. You will need to have a minimum of a level 2 NGB Sports coaching qualification and have had experience in working with primary age children. For more information, please go here. Closing date: Midday on Friday 16 September 2022.

Glen Park Primary School are seeking to appoint a caring and friendly Meal Time Assistant to assist in supporting lunches and provide lunchtime play supervision. You will be required to organise play activities and supervise the children to ensure their safety and wellbeing in the dining hall during their lunch and whilst in the playground. For more information, please go here. Closing date: Friday 16 September.

Ivybridge Community College are looking for the following vacancies: 

Ivybridge are looking to appoint an exceptional individual into the position of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead with the responsibility for Student Welfare. They will work as part of the College’s Safeguarding Team and their role will be to assist the Designated Safeguarding Lead in their duties, to ensure the College meets its safeguarding aims by maximising the efficient and effective use of its available resources. Closing date: Friday, 9 September 2022, 9.00am. 

Teaching Assistants who will work under the instruction and guidance of teaching/senior staff to undertake work/care/support programmes, to enable access to learning for students and to assist the teacher in the management of students and the classroom. Closing date: 9am on Friday, 16 September 2022. 

A PACE Coordinator (behaviour Support) to ensure the smooth running of the PACE rooms, through accurate record keeping and communications with stakeholders at all levels, which is both timely and effective. Closing date: Friday, 9 September 2022, 9.00am.

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

Sherford Vale School are looking for the following vacancies: 

Sherford Vale School and Nursery currently requires an Office Manager. Sherford are looking for a candidate, who has a strong teamwork ethic and who is flexible, to join their team as soon a practicably possible. The person appointed would need the skills and qualities necessary to support the school’s day-to-day resources, which includes; its facility, property, health and safety, ICT, Nursery, catering, and other

Sherford Vale School and Nursery currently requires a part-time Family Support Advisor to support the needs of their children and families. In addition, the post holder will be also be responsible for the provision of an additional 2 hrs per week for the welfare, monitoring and support of attendance for its children and families at Plympton St. Maurice Primary School. They are looking for a candidate, who has a strong teamwork ethic and who is flexible, to join their team as soon a practicably possible. The ability to build good relationships with children, staff, parents and agencies is vital. Closing date: Midday Monday 19 September 2022. 

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

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. The successful candidate must be willing to engage fully in the life of their school, be flexible and work as part of a friendly, supportive team with high expectations. For more information, please go here. Closing date: Thursday 15 September. 

Woodford Primary School are looking for the following vacancies: 

A highly skilled Teaching Assistant to join their very supportive, hardworking and successful team from September 2022. The role would be within their Key Stage 2 team with particular strengths in upper key stage 2. Closing date: noon on Monday 12 September 2022.   

The 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. Closing date: 30 September 2022. 

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