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A big thank you to all of you who completed our recent Starter Experience Survey

We would like to thank all of you who commenced a new role with the Trust recently and took the time to feedback to us how the Trust was doing with its recruitment and selection process. Your feedback will help us in our efforts to continually improve the recruitment experience of all our potential new starters. 

There were many positives, some of which we can share with you now. 

  • We asked you to rate how straightforward you found the application process for your new post. You gave the application process an average score of 4.59 stars out of 5.
  • 91.18% of you received an invite to interview less than 2 weeks after the advert close date.
  • We asked you to rate your invite to the selection process and any subsequent communications in relation to it.  You gave us an average score of 4.82 stars out of 5 for this.
  • We asked you to think about your pre-employment checks and to rate us on how we did with these in terms of communication, efficiency and helpfulness (with 1 star = poor and 5 stars = excellent). You gave us an average score of 4.79 stars out of 5 for this.
  • We asked you to rate your experience of working for the Trust so far (with 1 star = poor and 5 stars = excellent). You gave us an average score of 4.59 stars.
  • We asked you to look back to before you started with us and assess how we did in terms of getting you what your needed to prepare you for your first few days (with 1 star = you did not have what you needed and 5 stars = you had everything that you needed). You gave us an average score of 4.47 stars, an improvement on the September survey.
  • We asked you how clear the presentation of information was during your first few days (with 1 star = very unclear and 5 stars = very clear).  You gave us an average score of 4.41 stars.
  • We asked you how well you understand how your job supports the Trust's Vision, Values and Beliefs ( with 1 star = not well at all and 5 stars = extremely well). You gave us an average score of 4.53 stars.

There are also some areas that you identified where we could do better:

  • Only 88.24% of you felt that you were presented with about the right amount of information when you started.  Better then on the previous two surveys but this could be further improved.
  • 5.88% of you reported that you did not have an induction for your new role or that it was not relevant.  A further 8.82% of you reported that your induction was only partially relevant to your new role.  This feedback is better than the last two surveys but given how highly the vast majority of you value a good induction we want to aim towards this being zero.
  • Only 79.41% of respondents reported receiving their employment contracts by their first day of employment.  We know this must be much better with all contracts issued by day one. Proactive steps are being taken to improve this moving forward.

We appreciate your suggestions around this. The full results are being analysed and will be used to improve the candidate experience of our recruitment and selection process. Thank you for your time and input.

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Hub Advisory Board

From first of January 2023 schools in WeST belong to one of four hubs. Each hub is supported by a Hub Advisory Board (HAB) which serves to provide a connection between the trustees, schools and their communities. HABs meet three times a year to consider reports from executive leaders and matters arising from HAB members’ visits to school. After each HAB meeting the Chair and Vice-chair of the HAB meet with the CEO and Chair of Trust, ensuring a flow of local knowledge and oversight from the HAB to the trust board. 

Our governance model is made of several elements as shown below:

We currently have 2 vacancies for HAB Administrator, a role which will contribute to the smooth operation of the HAB(s) by providing a high level of administration supporting the development and implementation of the HAB services. This is a role which may suit an existing member of staff as dates and times of meetings are flexible and may fit around a current role. If you would like a discussion regarding this role, please contact Hilary Dunlop, Governance Officer on hdunlop@westst.org.uk

Turkey-Syria Earthquake

Devastating earthquakes have hit Turkey and Syria, reducing buildings to rubble. We understand that many people may be concerned about the situation, which has affected the lives of thousands.

We understand that many people may also be concerned for relatives’ welfare who are located in these regions affected by the destruction. For many young people in particular, this may be the first time they have been exposed to media images and reports of a natural disaster of this magnitude.

WeST continues to work with Care First as our employee assistance programme. They provide a range of specialist support and have developed specific services for those affected by these circumstances.

You can find out more about aid and support you can offer at: www.dec.org.uk

You can find out more on the Care First Lifestyle Website:

Website: www.carefirst-lifestyle.co.uk

User Name: Westcountst

Password: Wellbeing1234

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Are you sitting comfortably?

If you use display screen equipment (DSE) for an hour or more at a time, on a frequent basis, you are technically considered a ‘DSE user’ under the Health and Safety Regulations. This includes the use of PCs, laptops, tablets and smartphones. Therefore the set up of your workstation environment can be a key consideration in ensuring you are comfortable as well as maintaining your wellbeing. You may have completed a DSE Assessment with your line manager upon commencement in role however it’s a good idea to ensure this is reviewed and updated – particularly if you have moved offices!

We attach a template DSE Assessment which is based upon the Health and Safety Executive advice and covers key areas: keyboard, mouse/pointer, screen, software, furniture, and environment. The completed document should be reviewed with your line manager to identify any actions and stored confidentially on your personnel file. Where additional support is identified we are also able to arrange for occupational health referrals or support with Access to Work information. In addition, further information and advice is available online at https://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/dse/.

We continue to work with Care First who are offering a session on “Tips to Improve Your Posture” for those who are in desk based roles. This free 30 minute session is available live on 3 March at 12noon or a recording will be shared with those who register. Find out more and confirm your place at: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5064741313206950232.

Should you have any queries or questions please liaise with your line manager in the first instance or alternatively contact the HR Team on: hr@westst.org.uk.

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.

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

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 another brand new course. 

The AIM Group and South Devon College:  L3 National Online Diploma: Learning, Development, Support for Children's Workforce 

This a brand-new free diploma which acts as great pathway for everyone in an existing TA/LSA role or anyone wanting to get into the role that are happy to volunteer in a class setting (this has worked as a great pre-recruitment tool) and can reintroduce the parent volunteering aspect that was lost following covid

The course would be carried out in your own time as part of your own journeys and whilst they are not run by the school, we have been offered this to help you gain access.

To register your interest please  email christopher.greenfield@theaimgroup.co.uk with your NAME, SCHOOL, PHONE NUMBER, HOME POSTCODE, JOB ROLE

Please get in touch before 15 March as we only have 50 spaces available, starting on our late April online Induction 

Course structure: 

  • A short English and Math functional skill test will be required simply to show the learner is running above a L1 skill set
  • Learners will attend a mandatory two-hour induction in Late April (date is tbc) to enrol onto the course fully. This will be hosted online with South Devon College 
  • You will need to attend a weekly Microsoft Teams learning session one evening a week (yet to be decided) It will be scheduled at the same time each week 
  • Completed online via the online learning platform with up to 18months to complete (2 hours self-study on top of the weekly taught session (to do set weekly tasks)
  • There will be 3 in-work observations carried out by their tutor, so their employer must agree to this and be happy for this to take place.

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

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Venue: Woodford Primary School

Course dates: Tuesday 7 & Wednesday 8 March 2023

BOOK

Venue: Withycombe Raleigh C of E School Exmouth

Course dates: Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 May 2023

BOOK

Venue: Chudleigh Primary School

Course dates: Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 June 2023

BOOK

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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 for a talented, enthusiastic and inspirational candidate, with outstanding inter-personal skills, to teach Science.  Callington would expect the successful candidate to be able to teach across Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 5. For more information, please click here. Closing date: Friday 3 March 2023. 

 

Coombe Dean School are looking to fill the following vacancies: 

Social Media / Promotions Administrator - The post involves approximately 1.5 days (10 hours) per week with specific focus on promotions and communication, including maintaining social media feeds. The remaining hours per week will be dedicated to administrative duties. Closing date: 6 March 2023. 

Asssociate Assistant Headteacher - The successful candidate will have responsibility for leading the design and delivery of PSHE, RSE, RE and Personal Development Curricula across Years 7-13. The Post holder will be responsible for delivering on a curriculum that excites young people and helps them to see the world in new ways. Closing date: 6 March 2023. 

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

Hele's School are seeking to appoint a dynamic classroom practitioner with the capacity to teach Religious Studies to at least KS4 and potentially KS5. We 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: Closing Date: Wednesday 15 March 2023. 

Morley Meadow Primary School are looking to appoint a Family Support Advisor who can support and improve the life outcomes and opportunities for children and families in our school community. The role will involve enhancing the good practice already in place by providing a range of individual wellbeing, attendance, emotional, safeguarding and family support. For more information please click here. Closing date: Wednesday 1 March 2023.

Plymstock School are seeking to appoint a Science Technician. The successful candidate will provide teachers with a range of technical support, enabling them to deliver the science curriculum to students, including advising on health and safety issues. For more information, please click here. Closing date: Wednesday 8 March 2023. 

 

Westcountry Schools Trust are seeking to appoint a Hub Advisory Board Administrator. The role will support the Governance Officer to contribute to the smooth operation of Hub Advisory Boards (HABs), providing a high standard administrative service supporting the development and implementation of HAB services compliant with relevant governance regulations. The successful candidate will also ensure GDPR compliance and fulfil the HAB role of Data Protection Lead. For more information, please click here. Closing date: Monday 6 March 2023.