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You will recall that in a recent edition of the ‘Whistle’ I was celebrating the strength of our collaborative working. I wish to continue that theme here, but with specific reference to how we are working to support our colleagues involved in the implementation of the Early Career Framework (ECF).

Monday saw us welcome over 20 secondary and primary early career teacher mentors to Morley for their programmed seminar. It was also a great opportunity for us to say thank you to those who are supporting our ECTs in making a good to start to their teaching career.

It is not readily evident, at individual school level, to realise how many colleagues are involved in the ECF in some way or another. So, I’m sharing here that we have 84 ECTs in either Year 1 or Year 2 of their career, and each is benefitting from expert guidance and modelling from our mentors in schools. The emphasis on the mentoring role in the Early Career Framework highlights the impact a support role can have. It also continues to be a focus of research with a recently published paper from a national provider (Ambition Institute) highlighting the positive impact of a mentor role with specific strategies for modelling practice.

So, once again, thank you to our ECF Induction Leads and mentors across our schools who ensure the quality of provision and experience of our early career teachers.  

We continue to be actively engaged in recruiting for various positions in WeST schools, including roles in support, teaching, and leadership.

Finally, we have been approached by the South Devon Tennis Centre to signpost their involvement in the LTAs push to engage more girls in learning and playing tennis. You will see that item later in this edition.

Best wishes

Rob Haring, CEO 

As part of our cyber defence strategy endorsed by the Trust Board, you will soon be receiving a short series of cyber awareness training sessions by email.

Please look out for these and use the links to watch the video and undertake a brief quiz. Each email will link you to a different video and quiz. Not everybody will get the same training at the same time, so please use the link in your email. You will receive an email from invitations@phishline-training.com where you will be asked to click on the link to access the training. 

Thank you in advance for your co-operation.

Strike Day Pay Deductions

As referenced in the Trust FAQ document previously circulated deductions from pay as a result of strike days for teachers will be made on the basis of 1/365th of annual salary including any allowances. 

For the strike day which occurred on Wednesday 1 February 2023, the deduction will be from March pay.  For the strike days on Thursday 2 March 2023, Wednesday 15 March and Thursday 16 March 2023, deductions will be from April pay.

Deductions will be shown on your payslip which is accessible via iTrent ESS. For any queries, please refer to your local administrative team in the first instance.  Many thanks.

WeST continues to work with Care First who are offering a free 30 minute online session regarding the importance of happiness and its impact on wellbeing. You can register to attend the event live or access a recording of the event online afterwards.

The service is confidential to you and the Trust receives no information about participants.

Register your interest at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/9033364762435495768 

You can call 0800 174 319 to speak to a professional counsellor or information specialist in confidence 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Just quote that you are an employee of ‘Westcountry Schools Trust’.

You can visit the Care first lifestyle website which offers additional resources and online services at:

Website: www.carefirst-lifestyle.co.uk

User Name: Westcountst

Password: Wellbeing1234

Just a polite reminder that all new SENDCos must complete the NASENCo Award within the first 3 years of appointment. This is still the legal requirement. Devon run the NASENCo award jointly with the University of Plymouth. Further information can be found on the NASENCO website page.

10,000 More Girls to Play Tennis

Celebrating Tennis on International Women’s Day

8/3/23

More girls playing more tennis more often – that is the Lawn Tennis Association’s mission for 2023 – And the South Devon Tennis Centre is at the forefront of this campaign, wanting to attract more than 60 new girls into the sport in South Hams.

When Emma Raducanu won the American Grand Slam last year many young girls were inspired to pick up a racket.  The South Devon Tennis Centre located in Ivybridge was inundated with girls taking up their LTA Youth Start Course last September and many of them now play regularly in their coaching programme.

Watch our Inspirational Videos of Girls playing tennis

  • https://youtu.be/fR9fGFCdOq4
  • https://youtu.be/zdWu79EqKUM
  • https://youtu.be/ylmlkRhVIvE

This year Prime Video and the Lawn Tennis Association are working together using the money generated from Prime Video’s transmission of Emma’s match, to spearhead a new campaign.

270 LTA accredited coaches from across the country have been selected and trained to deliver a tennis course specifically designed for girls. The 6 week course which includes a free racket and set of balls (for £35) and will be followed by a further 6 week offer and end with a team competition week.

Two female coaches trained to deliver these courses work at the South Devon Tennis Centre and will be offering the new courses starting on 17th April.

You can now register your daughter’s interest in the course today on International Women’s Day – a time to celebrate women’s achievement throughout history and across nations.

Lesley Crocker, one of South Devon’s accredited coaches who will be delivering the course said: “We are delighted that the LTA and Prime are launching this initiative.  I love tennis, it has been a constant positive in my life, and it would be amazing to enable more girls to enjoy the sport as I have.  Tennis is great for physical and mental health, it is a fun social sport that you can take with you wherever you go for all of your life.

“These new courses recognise that young boys and girls have different social, physical and emotional makeups and that we as coaches need to create an environment where girls can flourish.”

In order to attract more girls to tennis and retain them in the sport, tennis needs more positive role models and young girls needs to see people like them picking up a racket.

75% of all LTA accredited coaches in the UK, are male and sadly weekly tennis players are 70% more likely to be male than female.

However, if we can encourage more girls to pick up a racket in primary school they are 3 x more likely to play tennis as an adult. 

Lesley added: “So our mission here in South Devon is to show young girls that tennis can be for them, that girls can love tennis, play it regularly and benefit from of lifetime of sport.”

To find out more about LTA Youth Girls Tennis Course at South Devon Tennis Centre: Visit: LTA Youth Girls (southdevontenniscentre.co.uk)

Media Enquiries please call Lesley Tel: 07966773398

Discounts for ALL Trust colleagues (teachers, support staff, everyone in WeST!)

Did you know that all education staff can access the Discounts for Techers service?!

Online at: https://www.discountsforteachers.co.uk/

All WeST colleagues are eligible to sign up for FREE to the Discounts For Teachers service online to get access to hundreds of exclusive discounts with online retailers. They have a number of exclusive offers. A number of large retailers take part, including Currys, Argos, Clarks, WH Smith, and Early Learning Centre. Plus a number of restaurants and more! Please share with all colleagues to access this fantastic opportunity.

Mindful March

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Updated Employment Policies

WeST continues to develop and review employment policy documents. Following a rigorous period of consultation with senior leadership, trade union representatives, and staff, we are pleased to share new documentation for:

Menopause Policy

Westcountry Schools Trust is committed to a programme of action to make this new policy effective and will work with the trade unions to take positive action to support employees experiencing the menopause. The policy details information about sources of support and provides a commitment to ensuring reasonable adjustments for individuals as required. We are continuing to work with key stakeholders to develop a menopause risk assessment pro forma and the policy covers ideas for staff members / line mangers.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy

This policy covers both specific considerations for staff members and specific considerations for learners. The policy information covers our commitment and key information to this important area. Thus replacing earlier documents known as WeST Equal Opportunities and WeST Diversity Policy.

Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Misuse Policy

Westcountry Schools Trust is committed to the promotion of wellbeing amongst its employees. However, it recognises that there are health risks, performance, and legal issues associated with drug, alcohol, and other substance misuse. The policy sets out how the Trust will deal with instances of misuse to ensure we are maintaining staff welfare and consistency in managing issues.

Please take a moment to review the documents and how they support you as a WeST colleague. You can find more information online in the exclusive staff portal area of the WeST website.

Visit: https://www.westst.org.uk/staff

User Name: staff@westst.org.uk (the same for all colleagues)

Password: west (the same for all colleagues)

Here you’ll find a wealth of information and resources.

Should you have any queries or questions please contact hr@westst.org.uk or your local senior leadership team.

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.

3 April: Hardwiring positivity

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

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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:- 

Arena Sports Partnership are looking for a committed and enthusiastic primary school sports development coach or PE specialist teacher to join their team of PE professionals. Due to an increase in their work programme they have a vacancy for a sports development coach or PE specialist teacher to cover the Plymouth and South Devon area of the sports partnership the role. You will need to be able to demonstrate good PE subject knowledge, deliver high quality PE lessons and be able to upskill primary non specialist teachers. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 17 March 2023. 

Boringdon Primary School is looking to appoint 2 x temporary Teaching Assistants. Boringdon are looking for someone to join their team, temporarily due to Maternity Leave, who can demonstrate passion and enthusiasm for achieving both the best for the children in their class and playing their part in the wider school community. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 24 March 2023. 

Eggbuckland Community College are looking to fill the following vacancies: 

2x Cover Supervisors - Duties to include supporting the learning of students in class by clarifying work and encouraging successful completion of tasks, monitoring students’ behaviour and uniform, taking class registers and invigilation. Closing date: 23 March 2023. 

Science Technician - This is an exciting opportunity to enhance an already highly successful and motivated team. To provide support for the Science Department, advising on correct and safe use of equipment, preparation of apparatus and chemical solutions. Duties will include maintenance and upkeep of hazardous chemicals and Physics equipment. This role will also include some administrative tasks. Closing date: 23 March 2023. 

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

Hele's School are looking to fill the following vacancies: 

Exam Invigilators - This is an interesting and challenging role in the school environment, and applicant’s availability must be flexible to accommodate. Closing date: 22 March 2023. 

Premises Caretaker - The post holder is expected to be a sympathetic professional towards the pupils of the school, the ethos the staff have developed and to carry out their duties accordingly. The post holder must be a good communicator and be able to work both flexibly and under pressure as part of a busy team. Closing Date: 20 March 2023. 

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

Plymstock School are looking to fill the following vacancies: 

Attendance Administrator - The successful candidate will work with other agencies and within school to ensure the academic success of all students related to their attendance. Closing date: 20 March 2023. 

Head of German - The successful candidate will have the vision, character and commitment to effectively lead on the development of the German curriculum and as an excellent classroom practitioner will lead with the aim of ensuring that the delivery of the curriculum is impactful for all students. Closing Date: 20 March 2023. 

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

Sherford Vale School & Nursery currently has a vacancy for a qualified, permanent, experienced Nursery practitioner. Sherford Vale are looking for an excellent Nursery practitioner who puts learning at the heart of their practice, has a hunger to improve, a strong teamwork ethic and who is flexible. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 19 April 2023. 

Westcountry Schools Trust are looking to fill the following vacancies:

Education Welfare Officer - This newly created role will work under the Director of Inclusion to support the work of schools to improve attendance. You will provide a central education welfare service to promote positive attitudes towards regular attendance for a group of schools within the Trust, to improve attendance levels and to support the requirements of the Trust’s schools to fulfil their legal obligations. Closing date: 20 March 2023. 

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. Closing date: Monday 17 April 2023. 

Primary Headteachers - 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. The role will require collaboration within and beyond Westcountry Schools Trust and a close working relationship with the Director of Education. Closing date: 20 March 2023. 

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