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Welcome back to the new term and the start of summer with the promise of warmer temperatures and greater hours of sunlight!

As we step into the new season, I’d like to take moment to reflect on what we aim to achieve in the term ahead.

As further research becomes available, we are becoming increasingly aware of some of the obstacles to life on the peninsula. If you haven’t yet had the opportunity, do try and find the time to read Prof. Lee Elliot Major’s research into social mobility in the SW.

Recognising the obstacles that many of our communities face strengthens the need for us to deliver on our mission: Empowering children to impact positively on society. By this I think we mean children becoming happy adults who enjoy positive relationships, make good health choices, secure meaningful work that they enjoy, are able to make well-reasoned decisions and are thoughtful and compassionate in the communities in which they live. In achieving this we reduce the burden placed on the welfare system, social service, NHS and judicial system to name but a few.

In supporting the children in our care on this journey, our schools provide a rich, vibrant education every day based on positive relationships and a well-crafted ambitious curriculum.

We know that academic success contributes to greater employment opportunities and improved life chances. With this in mind, I now signpost key dates for the term ahead.

  • KS2 SATS commence Tuesday 9 May – WeST collective target 75%
  • A level examinations Monday 15 May
  • GCSE examinations Monday 15 May – WeST collective Basics (9-5) target 54%
  • Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) Year 4 Monday 5 June
  • Phonics Screening Check (PSC) Year 1 Monday 12 June – WeST collective target 90%

On a less positive note, we return to further industrial action due to the ongoing dispute between the representative unions and the government.

One element of the dispute is the level of funding provided for schools. Most WeST schools attract only the minimum level of funding which is placing massive pressure on our budgetary process for 2023-24.

Finally, I am delighted to inform everyone that we have appointed Nat Parnell to the role of DCEO with effect from 1 September 2023.

I wish you all every success for the term ahead.

Best wishes

Rob Haring, CEO

INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

Headteacher Wembury Primary School (ISR L8 to L14)

 

 

Headteacher Holbeton Primary School (ISR L4 to L10)

 

We are looking for exceptional candidates to become our Headteachers of Holbeton and Wembury Primary Schools from September 2023.  We are seeking Headteachers that are passionate, committed, collaborative and confident practitioners who will inspire both pupils and colleagues. Ideal candidates will have a strong focus on continuous school improvement to raise standards for all pupils.  The Headteachers will have overall responsibility for the organisation, management and conduct of the school, providing leadership and collaborating with their peer colleagues in supporting delivery of the WeST strategic plan 2022-27.  Both roles will carry a teaching commitment of at least 2 days per week and will require collaboration within and beyond Westcountry Schools Trust.  The Headteacher will be accountable through our governance structure and to the Director of Education.  To arrange an informal visit to either school please contact cdickson@westst.org.uk  For a job description/person specification and to make an application please contact recruitment@westst.org.uk 

Closing date: 9am Thursday 4 May 2023.  Interviews: Tuesday 9 May 2023.

NOTE: internal applications will be considered alongside any shortlisted external applicants who wish to be put forward from our previous round of Headteacher recruitment.

Support staff pay award and incremental progression due 1 April 2023

As a result of the national pay award 2022, support staff are entitled to one additional day (or a proportionate fte for part-time staff) of annual leave for the leave year beginning 1 April 2023.  The Trust has taken the decision to award this as a benefit to be taken for all support staff.  The result of this is that term-time only members of staff now have one day of annual leave that they may take, upon request, during term-time.  Approval for this MUST be requested in advance and will be approved locally according to service need.

In addition, changes have been made to the national pay spine and, as a result of this, incremental progression for support staff has been delayed to 1 May 2023.  Please be assured that any increments due will be backdated to 1 April and included in May’s pay.

Joss Davis, Director of People

Stress Awareness Month

April marks Stress Awareness month and WeST would like to take the opportunity to highlight some materials available to you as valued colleagues. Stress can be personal or can be professional, however at times in our lives its important to know what triggers and strategies may support us.

WeST continues to work with various providers, some tools to consider:

· The staff portal contains a wealth of wellbeing information and resources.

· Care First are offering specialist webinars for Stress Awareness Month.

· Check your stress container at MHFA!

· Consider the strategies from Able Futures.

Below we have included some information for your refence and hope you find this beneficial.

Stress Container

MHFA provide a short online interactive tool to explore the items which fill our stress container, the unhelpful coping methods which may be blocking us, and the helpful coping methods which release our stress.

Visit the site to check your stress container: https://mhfaengland.org/mhfa-centre/resources/address-your-stress/stress-container-resource-download.pdf

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Care First

Stress can be a misused word. In our busy working day we often refer to the day to day working environment and all that it entails, as stress, when we actually mean pressure. We are under pressure to do our job well, to deliver on our commitments, to meet deadlines and to cope with the ever changing demands on us. This is normal within the working environment and the working day.

We need a certain amount of pressure to energise and motivate us.  It helps us get things done!

Stress is different from pressure. Stress is an on-going pressure that keeps building to a level where day to day work may become unmanageable.  This can result in increased absenteeism which in turn may add pressure to those still working. When you feel you are struggling and under pressure, it is important to speak to your manager and explain how you are feeling, and together, look at ways of improving where possible, your working pattern, your planning and organisation. There are many ways in which your manager can help and support you and so do speak with them and give them the opportunity to help.

Existing mental health issues can also become a source of stress in themselves, for example, those living with an anxiety disorder and/or depression can be more prone to stress as they try to manage their day to day conditions.

Those who are perhaps more vulnerable are more likely to develop mental health issues and illnesses when high stress levels are present. So, given that, what can we do about it?  The key is to help people examine the factors that make them vulnerable and encouraging them to look for positive ways to change them.

The reality is that we are in uncharted territory, there is no “correct” response to the easing of social restrictions and everyone’s situation is different. You may feel stressed and that everything seems too much. You may feel overloaded and that you can’t meet all the demands placed upon you.

The Care first Lifestyle website has a section on stress. If you would like to learn more then please visit the Care first Lifestyle website:

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Care First will be running two webinar sessions, if you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the session can be accessed using the main website.

· Stress Awareness on Friday 21 April at 12pm. To register for this session please click: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6688365945593042783

· Workplace Stress on Friday 28 April at 12pm. To register for this session please click: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4016225035790966873

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UK Emergency Alert

As you may be aware, the national UK Emergency Alert test is due to take place on Sunday 23 April 2023. This is a test of the system which will be deployed in case of future national emergencies. It involves an automatic notification to all mobile phones, on all networks, in the form of an alert sound.

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Please be aware that victims and survivors of abuse, particularly domestic abuse, may have a secret mobile phone which their abuser is not aware of. From a safeguarding perspective, the sounding of the national alert may place such individuals in danger should their abusers become aware of their secret phone.

We strongly advise that any person known or thought to be vulnerable, or who are or you suspect they may be living with an abusive partner are discretely made aware:

  • that the alert will sound even if a mobile phone is switched to silent
  • and how to turn off receiving the emergency alert.

If this cannot be achieved discretely you may wish to make the information generally available without raising this as a safeguarding issue.

To turn off the alert on an android phone:

  • Go to settings
  • Type emergency in the search bar and emergency alert should appear as an option
  • Select emergency alerts
  • This should take you to a page titled either emergency alerts or broadcast settings
  • Click or tap on the blue toggle beside emergency alerts to switch the option off. It will turn grey, and the alert will be switched off.

To turn off the alert on an Iphone:
 

  • Open the settings app
  • Select notifications, a red square with a white bell
  • Scroll down the notifications screen to the bottom to find emergency alerts
  • Tap the toggles to turn the emergency alerts off. They will turn grey, and the alerts will be switched off.

Active April 

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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:- 

Buckfastleigh Primary School are looking for a KS2 teacher who can come in and continue the great work of our current post holder while she is on maternity leave. This role would be suitable for either a fixed term contract or a secondment and interested teachers are encouraged to ring the school to speak to Eddie Brown, the Headteacher, to discuss this. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 21 April 2023.

Callington Community College are looking to fill the following vacancies: 

Teacher of Religious Studies - Callington are looking for a talented, enthusiastic and inspirational candidate, with outstanding inter-personal skills, to teach Religious Studies. Callington would expect the successful candidate to be able to teach across Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 5. Closing date: 24 April 2023. 

Teacher of Music and Drama - Callington would expect the successful candidate to be able to teach across Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 5. We would welcome applications from experienced and early career teachers. You will be well supported by a range of colleagues who are focussed on teaching and learning, and by a comprehensive programme of induction and training to ensure your individual needs are met. Closing date: 24 April 2023. 

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

Coombe Dean School are looking for:

We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic Teacher of Languages. The successful candidate will be a hardworking individual, passionate about MFL, and a Teacher with high expectations and an unwavering determination to get the best outcomes for students. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 28 April 2023.

Sports Centre Assistant - An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic individual with a passion for sport and fitness to work with the Sports Centre Manager to assist with the day to day facilitation of all Sports Centre and Lettings activities. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 28 April 2023.

Eggbuckland Community College are looking for:

Teaching Assistant – Hearing Support - We are looking to appoint a Teaching Assistant as soon as possible to work in the Hearing Support Centre on a fixed term contract until August 2024.  This role involves supporting students who are d/Deaf / hearing impaired and to enhance an already highly successful and motivated team.  For more information, please click here. Closing date: 5 May 2023 at 9am.

2x Cleaners - We are looking for a reliable individual to provide cleaning duties after school hours for general cleaning across the College site. Duties include cleaning lavatories and litter picking. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 28 April 2023 at 9am.

Ivybridge Community College are looking for:

Pace Coordinator - High Standards and Expectations at the College underpin our key focus of providing high quality Teaching and Learning in the classroom and embedding a positive community culture. We are looking to appoint an exceptional individual in a position of PACE Coordinator. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 24 April 2023 at 4pm. 

Minibus Driver - The post holder will have sound driving skills with a full, clean driving license including Category D1.  Working hours are approximately between 7.00am to 9.00am and again at 3.15pm to 5.15pm.  Although hours may vary according to the needs of the College. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 2 May 2023 at 9am. 

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. For more information, please click here. 

Plymstock School are looking for: 

We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic and engaging teacher to join our Modern Languages Department. Applications are welcome from experienced colleagues. Let us know in your application if you would like to be considered for a TLR position within the MfL department. We would equally value applications from ECTs and teachers in the early stages of their teaching career who can demonstrate that they have the potential to become excellent teachers. Our mission is to find the best teacher we can for our students and we are therefore making a number of options possible. For more information, please click here. Closing date: Monday 26 April 2023 – 9am

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

Cover Supervisor - The successful candidate must be able to deliver the curriculum to a high level, across the subjects, and will work closely with the Heads of Departments. The successful candidate will be a hard-working individual; with high expectations and an unwavering determination to get the best outcomes for students. Closing date: 21 April 2023.

Teaching Assistant - The role involves supporting students with Special Educational Needs within the classroom. 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: 21 April 2023.

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

Stowford School are seeking to appoint a Class Teacher. Stowford are looking for someone to join their team who will teach full time and demonstrate passion and enthusiasm for achieving both the best for the children in their class and playing their part in our successful staff team on our forward journey. The role is suitable for an EYFS practitioner with early reading, maths and phonics skills.  For more information, please click here. Closing date: 26 April 2023.

We are looking for a Nursery Manager who is creative, flexible and enthusiastic with a strong knowledge of how to support learning and provide care for children aged 3 -4 years.  An Early Years qualification (NNEB, CACHE Level 3, NVQ Level 3 or equivalent) is essential. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 17 May 2023.

Woodford Primary School are seeking to appoint a Deputy Headteacher (with SENCO Responsibilities) The Deputy Head Teacher will be required to support the Head Teacher in the day-to day leadership of the school and continue to promote the high standards. The successful individual will lead by example, with a focus on supporting and developing the team from Foundation to Year 6 as well as collaborating within and beyond Westcountry Schools Trust. For more information, please click here. Closing date: Monday 24 April.