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Thank you for your support so far on the staff survey for Autumn 2022!

The survey closes Monday 7 November 2022 but you still have time to have your say. To take part click here or scan the QR code below. 

The whole staff survey is an important part of our work in gathering staff feedback on engagement and wellbeing to shape our activities as a Trust. The short survey has 16 questions and has evolved from feedback on last year’s survey. It can be accessed via any internet enabled device. Results will be anonymous and every entry will be reviewed centrally.

Here are the current participation rates per school/business unit:

 

Get into teaching with WeST Learning Institute!  

"Training with WeST Learning Institute gave me the confidence I needed to become a well rounded teacher. Their supportive ethos really helped me overcome any challenges I faced and use them to better myself."

If you're looking for a rewarding career inspiring the next generation of children and young people, drop in to one of our information sessions to find out more about our education-based degree courses and routes into teacher training.  Contact itt@learninginstitute.co.uk for more information.

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WeST continues to support staff wellbeing and is pleased to offer staff access to flu jab vaccinations this autumn.

We have partnered with Boots pharmacy to deliver a limited number of flu vaccinations to staff who do not already meet the NHS free vaccine eligibility. We encourage all staff to take up the offer of a flu jab via one of these pathways.

Path 1: NHS free flu jab

Available to:

· people aged 50 years old or over (including those who will be 50 years old by 31 March 2023)

· have certain health conditions

· are pregnant

· receive a carer's allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick

· live with someone who is more likely to get a severe infection due to a weakened immune system

· are in long-stay residential care

· are frontline health workers

· are social care workers

More information on the importance of getting a flu vaccination & eligibility is available from NHS Free Flu Jab Eligibility

Path 2: WeST Flu Jab Voucher for Boots

Available if:

· You are NOT eligible for NHS Free Flu Jab

Vouchers can be sent directly to you via email or text message. 

Vouchers are provided at no cost to staff members.

Vouchers are redeemable at any participating Boots Pharmacy, click here for details: Store Locator

To request a voucher please visit: Request Form. 

 

New Ways November 

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Two weeks ago (10 October) two colleagues from WeST Learning Institute journeyed to Parma, Italy, to take part in an Erasmus+ Natural Schooling Innovation Project transnational event.

The Erasmus+ Natural Schooling project is a cooperative partnership, with partners in Italy, Spain, the UK and Sweden, which is being led by WeST Learning Institute. This cooperative partnership aims to highlight the learning and wellbeing benefits provided by natural schooling, and is producing a set of innovative training tools and resources designed to help integrate natural schooling into the curriculum.

The primary goal of the Erasmus + cooperation partnerships is to allow organisations to increase their capacity to operate jointly at transnational level, boosting internationalisation of their activities, and exchanging or developing new practices and methods as well as sharing and confronting ideas https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/programme-guide/part-a/priorities-of-the-erasmus-programme/structure

Day one of the three transnational days was meet and greet, followed by a cultural trip guided tour of the family run Barilla factory, the biggest pasta factory in the world! The factory provides support for the local schools and communities and it was clear that sustainability, passion, commitment, equality and inclusion underpin the business. This was followed by a management meeting back at Don Milani middle school with all partners, focusing on the creation and updating of the Erasmus+ Natural Schooling project website, being developed by our Spanish partners - see the link below. The link is here:

 https://naturalschooling.eu/

Day two started with a presentation of two Don Milani Middle school Natural Schooling innovation projects; the ‘School of Ants’ - a citizen science project based on ant colonies, linked to Parma University, and 'Beauty and Biodiversity’ showing how ecological corridors can be planned and created in a local park and the impact that this has on the biodiversity of the area.

This was followed by a guided tour of the flora and fauna of the Parma river (a tributary of the river Po), led by Don Milani middle school pupils, followed by a guided tour of the Parma large stream, its bridges and history, led by students from the upper secondary school Romagnosi. 

We really appreciated the participation of the children and students and their bravery explaining things in English - not their first language.

Day 3 was a guided tour of the historic centre of Parma led by one of the Don Milani teachers who happened to be an art historian. He helped us to see, not just look.

Photographs of the event can be found on the TLI Facebook page.

The next transnational event will be held in St Austell in December.

If you are interested in a Natural Schooling approach, then join the TLI Natural Schooling research interest group (RIG). Our next meeting is 17 November at 17.30 hrs. Email debbie.lambert@learninginstitute.co.uk for more details.

Stress Awareness Day 2022

Wednesday 2 November 2022 is known as Stress Awareness Day, so I looked for images to create a fancy article, this is what the computer suggested! While I don’t see many colleagues around the Trust with their heads on the table, we do know that stress can have a detrimental impact on wellbeing. So it's important to talk and raise awareness—it’s okay to ask for help, and much better to do this earlier, rather than later. 

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. As employees at WeST we are supported with free confidential access to a employee assistance programme—known as Care First.

They’re great, they have a phone line available 24/7 to talk about any worries and explore your needs. They also have a website we have exclusive access to. Materials from Care First can be accessed confidentially by staff members on any internet enabled device.

Click here for information about accessing the service. 

I tried the stress test questionnaire on the website, the questions help to explore triggers / factors to identify bespoke information, advice and guidance. No one else sees my results, only me. Being informed means I can be proactive.

So on this stress awareness day, check out the materials and see what your stress results tell you!

With thanks, Louise (HR).

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Recruitment update:

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

Callington Community College are looking to fill the following vacancies: 

Teaching Assistant - This could involve facilitating student’s emotional regulation; working with those on the autistic spectrum or supporting students with low levels of Literacy and Numeracy to access the secondary curriculum. You should be capable of developing excellent relationships with the students and therefore a proven record of successfully working with young people is essential. Closing date: 9am Monday 21 November 2022. 

SEND Administrator - Callington are seeking to appoint a dedicated and enthusiastic professional who has outstanding communication and office skills. They should enjoy working as part of a team of enthusiastic staff and have a genuine care for students’ interests. Experience of having worked in a school setting would be a desirable although not essential requirement for the post. Closing date: 9am Monday 21 November 2022. 

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

Chaddlewood Primary School would like to recruit a Learning Support Adviser to its KS2 team. Chaddlewood is a school that is passionate about delivering an effective and engaging curriculum that meets the needs of our children and community and enables their children to meet their potential. For more information, please go here. Closing date: Monday 7 November. 

Coombe Dean School are looking to fill the following vacancies:

A Teaching Assistant to join the Inclusion team. You will be the adult keyworker for a Year 7 student, supporting their learning both within and outside the classroom and during unstructured times to support the development of their social skills. For more information, please go here. Closing date: 7 November 2022. 

An outstanding individual to join their team with a focus as a learning mentor for specific students in Maths. The focus is on supporting individuals and small groups of students from Year 7 to Year 11 with catching up on work in Maths. You will work closely with the Maths department. For more information, please go here. Closing date: 11 November 2022. 

Ivybridge Community College are looking to fill the following vacancies: 

Examinations Administrator - The post holder will be responsible for providing a comprehensive administrative and clerical support service across a variety of administrative tasks and functions. Closing date: 9am on Monday 21 November 2022.

Casual Examinations Invigilator - Hours of work are by negotiation, to cover examination sessions throughout the year. The ability to work at least three days a week during the peak times in May and June. Full day, morning (start 8.30am) and afternoon sessions are offered. Closing date: 9am on Monday 21 November 2022. 

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

Oreston Community Academy are looking for an enthusiastic Play Worker and Meal Time Assistant to join their friendly and supportive team. As a Play Worker for their Lighthouse Club, your primary role is to ensure that children have a safe and secure environment at the same time as providing a high level of care for the children attending the club. For more information, please go here. Closing date: noon on Monday 7 November. 

Westcountry Schools Trust is seeking to appoint an Attendance/Assistant Data Protection Officer to join our School Improvement Team. This role will support the Education Information Analyst/Data Protection Officer to facilitate the work of the school improvement team in meeting trust strategic priorities and legal requirements and promoting excellent attendance across WeST schools. For more information, please click here. Closing date: noon on Monday 14 November.