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Another busy week has flown by.

We were delighted to start the week by hosting David Withey (CEO) and Tanya Arkle from the ESFA to WeST for a collaborative discussion around school funding and the Academies Trust Handbook. Thank you to everyone at Austin Farm Academy and Coombe Dean School for welcoming our visitors to your school and classrooms.

Thursday 19 January saw us meet many ITT trainees, currently on teaching placement in our schools, with a view to securing a teaching post in a WeST school. It was a most productive day. Once again, thank you to everyone involved.

Finally, a forward looking thought to Wednesday 1 February 2023. I have now written a letter to our entire parental body regarding the potential industrial action by NEU members. This is a tricky situation for all. The NEU are in dispute with the Secretary of State for Education, not our individual schools or trust. We will do our very best to recognise the right to strike of our NEU members whilst trying to keep our schools open of the children in our care and the communities we serve.

More detail will follow at individual school level.

Best wishes

Rob Haring, CEO 

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 by 5 February. Please also look out for an email 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.

Governance at WeST

We are pleased to launch the new model of governance across the Trust, please see the following diagram below for more details or visit the website – click here. 

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NOW OPEN TO ALL TRUST STAFF AND

FAMILY MEMBERS, REGARDLESS OF

ELIGIBILITY STATUS

WeST continues to support your wellbeing and is pleased to offer access to you and your family members this winter. All staff are encouraged to take up the offer of a flu jab.

There are a VERY LIMITED number of vouchers remaining and these are now being offered to all staff and family members, regardless of eligibility.

Vouchers can be sent directly to you via email or text message and are provided at no cost to you or your family member.

NOTE: Vouchers are redeemable until 31 January 2023, on a first come first served basis. 

Vouchers are redeemable at any participating Boots Pharmacy, click here for details: Store Locator (www.boots.com/store-locator)

To request a voucher please visit: Request Form or scan the QR code above. 

AIM Group - New Courses

The AIM Group specialise in providing training opportunities for those who want to reach their full potential. 842 parents and staff across WeST have already signed-up for these free courses from the Aim Group. We are therefore excited to announce two brand new courses. 

Advanced Child Development (Neuroscience in children) Level Two Qualification [25 Questions] completed online over 4-6 weeks.

What Is Neuroscience?

Neuroscience is the study of the brain and its impact on behaviour.

It is an exciting field of research that has huge significance to anyone who supports babies or young children. This qualification is designed to give learners an introduction to the subject and to share with them some of the remarkable insights it has given us in terms of how the infant's brain develops, and how this is affected by a range of external influences.

Course Information

This is a brand-new qualification, launching in January which will look to provide learners with practical advice on how to promote healthy brain development in the critical first seven years of their life.

This course will also support how children develop vital self-regulation skills, such as learning how to deal with emotions such as fear, anger and sadness in the correct way.

If you are interested in undertaking this free online course or would like further information, then please complete the following link.

Westcountry Schools Trust: Neuroscience in Early Years Qualification Application Link > This will then allow The AIM Group to contact you to discuss and get you started on your chosen course. 

Are you looking for a flexible, achievable, and manageable way to retake your GCSE English and Maths?

This alternative GCSE retake can provide just that.

Online classes are designed to develop your confidence and the foundations to progress on to higher level English qualifications.
It can also enable you to use your skills in everyday life, both personally and professionally.

Functional Skills English Level 2: Eastleigh College: 

Reading | Writing | Speaking | Listening | Communication

Functional Skills Mathematics Level 2: Eastleigh College: 
Whole Numbers | Fractions | Decimals | Percentages | Using Common Measures | Shape and Space | Handling Information and Data | Solving Mathematical Problems

To register your interest please click this link > Westcounty Schools Trust: English and Mathematics Functional Skills Level Two Qualifications

For any other information, please visit The Aim Group's website by clicking here. 

Free Wellbeing Webinar Sessions!

WeST are continuing to work alongside Able Futures to support staff wellbeing and are pleased to bring details of new free webinar sessions. Please click the following links to register your interest. If you are unable to access the live session, the registered participants will be provided with a recording of the information.

It's completely confidential to you as WeST will not be informed of any participant details.

We hope you find these sessions of interest and value as part of our ongoing commitment to developing a culture of wellbeing at work. Details of other resources are available on the staff portal.

23 January: Starting the new year with a focus on your mental health at work

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1562305296227145051?source=Will

13 February: Relationships at work

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3101732625805428317?source=Will

13 March: Sleep and mental health at work

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5538391130446229077?source=Will

3 April: Hardwiring positivity

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1590008591218919262?source=Will

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Recruitment update:

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

Ashburton Primary School are looking to fill the following vacancies: 

  • Year 2 Teacher - permanent (Closing date : Monday 30 January 2023) 
  • Year 3 Teacher – maternity cover (Closing date : Monday 30 January 2023) 
  • Teaching Assistant – maternity cover (Closing date: Friday 27 January 2023) 
  • Teaching Assistant – afternoons only (Closing date: Friday 27 January 2023) 

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

Coombe Dean School are seeking to appoint a Cleaner. The successful candidate must be committed to providing a quality cleaning service and able to demonstrate a sound knowledge of COSSH & Health & Safety Standards. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 23 January 2023. 

Hele's School wish to appoint a dynamic classroom practitioner with the capacity to teach Religious Studies to at least KS4 and potentially KS5. Hele's School are seeking someone who is both an outstanding teacher and an enthusiastic and influential role model for our students. The successful candidate will have a proven record of delivering excellent outcomes for students. For more information, please click here. Closing Date: Monday 30 January 2023

South Dartmoor Community College are looking to fill the following vacancies: 

Library & Reading Co-ordinator - The successful candidate will be hardworking, self-motivated and enjoy working in a team as well as under their own initiative. Previous experience within this area would be advantageous. You will be a committed and loyal individual; with high expectations and an unwavering determination to get the best for students. Closing date: On-going. 

Teacher of Science - The successful candidate will be based at South Dartmoor Community College, or another school within the Trust, as negotiated on appointment. They must be able to deliver the curriculum to a high level, across Key Stages 3, 4 and 5, working closely with the Science team. The successful candidate will be a hard-working individual; a teacher with high expectations and an unwavering determination to get the best outcomes for students. Closing date: Monday 30 January 2023. 

Teacher of Drama (to cover maternity) - The successful candidate will be based at South Dartmoor Community College and must be able to deliver the curriculum to a high level, across Key Stages 3, 4 and 5, working as part of the English and Drama faculty. Closing date: 6 February 2023.

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

Stowford School are looking to appoint a Meal Time Assistant to ensure that lunchtime activities are supported and managed in accordance with the school’s policies and procedures under the overall direction of the Headteacher. For more information, please click here. Please apply by as soon as possible.

Yealmpton Primary School are seeking to appoint a skilled 1-1 Teaching Assistant to be part of their incredibly supportive, hardworking and successful team. You will have experience of working with children in an educational setting and an understanding of the importance of learning objectives and My Plans. For more information, please click here. Closing date: Monday 23 January 2023. 

Wembury Primary School are looking to fill the following vacancies: 

  • Teaching Assistant 1 to 1 Support Key Stage 2 – Fixed Term Contracts ending on 31 August 2023
  • Teaching Assistant 1 to 1 Support Key Stage 2 – Fixed Term Contracts ending on 31 August 2023
  • Teaching Assistant Early Years Class – Fixed Term Contracts ending on 31 August 2023
  • Play Worker – Permanent Contract
  • MTA – Permanent Contract

The closing date for applications is the Thursday 26 January 2023. If you are interested in any one or more of the roles, please email the school office at admin@wembury-primary.devon.sch.uk specifying which role/roles you are applying for or complete the application form on the website and email it to the office as above.

Westcountry Schools Trust are looking to fill the following vacancies: 

HR Data and Payroll Manager - Do you have significant practical experience of managing payroll and people-related data systems? If you are looking to develop your career in a supportive team environment and progress in a growing organisation, this role could provide the opportunity to take the next exciting step in your journey. Closing date: Monday 6 February. 

Headteacher at Oreston Community Academy - The Headteacher will have overall responsibility for the organisation, management and conduct of the school, providing leadership and assisting with the delivery of the WeST strategic direction to ensure the achievement of the highest possible standards of education at Oreston Community Academy. Closing date: Monday 20 February 2023.

Headteacher of Plymstock School - The new Headteacher of Plymstock School will lead the school through its next phase of development and improvement. This is an incredibly exciting opportunity since the conditions for further improvement are securely established. Closing date: Monday 23 January 2023.

Principal at Eggbuckland Community College - The successful applicant will have a proven track record of success and school improvement in the secondary phase with significant experience of working at whole school level. The ideal candidate will have the interpersonal skills to build confidence and excellent relationships, and the drive and determination to secure successful outcomes for all students. Closing date: 31 January 2023. 

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