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Welcome to the last edition of the ‘Whistle’ for term 5.

The last few weeks have proven to be extremely busy with KS2 SATs, GCSEs and ‘A’ level examinations. Our theme of Ofsted inspection has continued; well done to Amy Chivers and the whole team at Oreston Community Academy last week.

I’m also immensely proud to share the achievements of Eggbuckland Community Colleges (ECC) Girls U12 football team. On Monday 22 May ECC U12 Girls played Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School in the final at The Hawthorn’s Football Ground in West Bromwich. After a hard fought game, ECC were triumphant! Incredible and well done all.

The end of this week sees us say farewell to Mr Steve Bone, Headteacher at Woodlands Park Primary School. Mr Bone joined WPPS in Easter 2018 having previously been the Deputy Headteacher at Decoy Primary School in Newton Abbot. During the tenure of Mr Bone, Woodlands Park Primary School has enjoyed many successes and wonderful moments, but, of special note is the school’s growth in pupil numbers and establishment of a 14 class structure. I am sure you will join me in thanking Mr Bone for his five years of service and wish him every success in his second headship. In a similar fashion, I know you will extend a very warm welcome to Mrs Eve Vollans as she assumes the Headship of WPPS for Term 6.

I’m pleased to once again signpost the opportunity of engaging in professional development through a NPQ. The next round of recruitment for the autumn term cohort is now open. Should you be interested, please do discuss this with your Headteacher. Further information can be found by following this link National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) | Ambition Institute or by contacting Amy Pearce APearce@westst.org.uk

You will be aware that our WeST staff survey is now open. Please do take the opportunity of completing the online form and sharing your voice with us.

I sign off by wishing everyone a well-deserved and peaceful half term break.

Best wishes

Rob Haring, CEO

We are pleased to launch the new staff survey for all colleagues at WeST to provide feedback!

The survey will be open 22 May 2023 - 12 June 2023 and offers the opportunity for you to share your views and continue shaping the Trust.

This edition includes an opportunity to identify training needs and some optional menopause at work questions.

The short survey should take you no more than 8 minutes to complete. You can access this link on any internet enabled device or by using the QR code below. Results will be anonymous and every entry will be reviewed centrally. A summary of the results will be published in future editions of the Whistle.

To complete your survey visit: https://forms.office.com/e/R3xh2rnSCX

Or scan this QR code:

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 June. 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 3932.

HR Update

IMPORTANT: Pension auto-re-enrolment from 1st May 2023 – applicable to all workplace pension schemes – does this affect you!?

As an employer, we must automatically enrol certain members of our workforce into a pension scheme i.e. LGPS or TPS.  In addition, a process, known as automatic re-enrolment, occurs every 3 years and puts workers back into a pension scheme if they are eligible.  These duties are placed on employers to encourage more people to save for their retirement.

Employers have the option to not re-enrol members who have opted out within 12 months of the auto-re-enrolment date, and WeST has decided to take this option. This means that colleagues who opted out of TPS or LGPS in the 12 months prior to 1 May 2023, will not be automatically re-enrolled. Colleagues who opted out more than 12 months ago will be re-enrolled. 

This process is administered on our behalf by our payroll provider (MHR).  Colleagues affected by the requirement for automatic re-enrolment will have received notifications via their work email account, followed up by hard-copy letter.  Notifications included advice on how to opt back out of the relevant pension scheme should you wish.  If you have been affected, please ensure you take the relevant actions in accordance with your notification.

For more information on workplace pensions please visit this site https://www.gov.uk/workplace-pensions

For specific questions following the receipt of an individual notification please contact hr@westst.org.uk

P60s

These will be available to colleagues via iTrent ESS from May pay day.

Meaningful May

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Training Opportunites 

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)

An accredited two-day, interactive training that prepares caregivers to provide suicide first aid interventions.

Suitable for people who work or volunteer with children and young people.

What will you learn as an ASIST trained first aid caregiver? After taking ASIST, you will be better able to:

  • Be suicide alert - identify people who have thoughts of suicide
  • Understand the reasons behind thoughts of suicide and the reasons for living
  • Access risk and safety - develop a plan to increase the safety of the person at risk of suicide
  • Recognise invitations for help
  • Recognise potential barriers of seeking help
  • Offer support – recognise other important aspects of suicide prevention including life promotion and self-care
  • Effectively apply a suicide intervention model
  • Link people with community resources

This course is being delivered over two full days between 9am-5pm and participants must attend both days.

Anyone 16 or older (despite previous training) can learn and use the ASIST model. No previous mental health or suicide prevention experience is necessary. Suitable for people who work or volunteer with children and young people.

Face to Face Training Dates:

Dates: Tuesday 30 and Wednesday 31 May 2023

Times: 9am – 5pm both days

Venue: Printworks Tavistock, Kingdon House Community Association, Pym Street, Tavistock, PL19 0AW.

Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/601368327857

Dates: Tuesday 27 June and Wednesday 28 June 2023

Times: 9am – 5pm both days

Venue: Yealmpton Community Association, Yealmpton Community Centre, Stray Park, Yealmpton, Plymouth, PL8 2HF.

Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/601493622617

Dates: Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 August 2023

Times: 9am – 5pm both days

Venue: Printworks Tavistock, Kingdon House Community Association, Pym Street, Tavistock, PL19 0AW.

Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/601495909457

Dates: Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 September 2023

Times: 9am – 5pm both days

Venue: Yealmpton Community Association, Yealmpton Community Centre, Stray Park, Yealmpton, Plymouth, PL8 2HF.

Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/601496832217

Dates: Monday 6 and Tuesday 7 November 2023

Times: 9am – 5pm both days

Venue: Lee Moor Public Hall, Lee Moor, Plymouth, PL7 5RJ.

Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/609476599917

 

Mental Health First Aid (Online)

MHFA provides knowledge and skills at a level for any adult member of the public who wishes to give initial first aid.

Suitable for people who work or volunteer with children and young people. Open to all the community (16 years and above).

Train as a Mental Health First Aider (MHFAider®) and gain the benefit of joining England’s largest community of trained MHFAiders®, receive three years of ongoing learning support and benefits.

Covering the main diagnosis- Anxiety, Suicide, Depression and Psychosis. Includes a mix of media, group work and skill learning. This course is ideal for those who would like to become a MHFAider® to:

  • Encourage self-care, giving you the tools to look after your own and others' mental health
  • Gain the knowledge and skills to spot signs of people experiencing poor mental health
  • Be confident starting a conversation and signpost a person to appropriate support
  • Promotes early intervention and faster recovery, which can prevent an individual's mental health deteriorating
  • Awareness of how mental health impacts the workplace; skills to empower people to thrive in the workplace.

This training will be delivered in person by trainer Jacqui Bamford.

The training will be delivered over four morning sessions, 9:00-13:00pm. By signing up you are able to attend ALL four sessions for your selected course.

Please register your interest here and you will be contacted with a booking form and the necessary joining instructions.

Online Training Dates:

Dates: Monday 31 July, Wednesday 2, Monday 14 and Wednesday 16 August

Times: 9am – 1pm

Register your interest here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/610951200487

Dates: Tuesday 14, Wednesday 15, Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 November

Times: 9am – 1pm

Register your interest here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/610964871377

Mental Health First Aid (Face to Face)

MHFA provides knowledge and skills at a level for any adult member of the public who wishes to give initial first aid or assistance.

Suitable for people who work or volunteer with children and young people. Open to all the community (16 years and above).

Train as a Mental Health First Aider (MHFAider®) and gain the benefit of joining England’s largest community of trained MHFAiders®, receive three years of ongoing learning support and benefits.

Covering the main diagnosis- Anxiety, Suicide, Depression and Psychosis. Includes a mix of media, group work and skill learning. This course is ideal for those who would like to become a MHFAider® to:

  • Encourage self-care, giving you the tools to look after your own and others' mental health
  • Gain the knowledge and skills to spot signs of people experiencing poor mental health
  • Be confident starting a conversation and signpost a person to appropriate support
  • Promotes early intervention and faster recovery, which can prevent an individual's mental health deteriorating
  • Awareness of how mental health impacts the workplace; skills to empower people to thrive in the workplace.

This training will be delivered in person by trainer Jacqui Bamford.

The training will be delivered over two days from 9:00-5:00pm. By signing up you are committing to attend both days for your selected course.

Please register your interest here and we will contact you with a booking form and the necessary joining instructions.

The face to face MHFA courses below are 2 full days and both days must be attended to completed the course

Face to Face Training Dates:

Dates: Monday 10 and Monday 24 July 2023

Times: 9am – 5pm both days

Venue: Lee Moor Public Hall, Lee Moor, Plymouth, PL7 5RJ.

Register your interest here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/611079724907

Dates: Wednesday 6 September and Wednesday 13 September 2023

Times: 9am – 5pm both days

Venue: Printworks Tavistock, Kingdon House Community Association, Pym Street, Tavistock, PL19 0AW.

Register your interest here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/61113502029

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Venue: STERTS, Upton Cross

Course dates: Tuesday 13 & Wednesday 14 June 2023

BOOK

Venue: St Petrocs Primary School, Bodmin

Course dates: Wednesday 21 & Thursday 22 June 2023

BOOK

Venue: Chudleigh Primary School

Course dates: Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 June 2023

BOOK

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Internal Vacancy

Subject Community Lead (SCL) - PE

We are looking for a subject representative for PE from across the seven secondary schools to work with the WesT School Improvement (SI) team and help shape the work of the trust.

This post is a fixed term contract, September 2023 to August 2024, attracting a TLR3 payment, and is in addition to your current teaching commitment in schools. However, there will be some release time to support this work. You will have the full support of your school leadership team and will be linked with one of our Executive Directors of Subject (EDoS) from the SI team to support you in this work as well working alongside a second SCL for PE.

We are looking for an excellent classroom practitioner with a proven record of expertise and success in their chosen subject field. Teachers who want to or who already currently engage fully with their subject communities at local, regional and/or national level. Teachers who want to drive continuous improvement across our schools and help us to achieve our WeST aim of ‘stronger together, with every child in a great school’.

So, if you would like to…

  • shape the future of WeST
  • create and curate a community of practice to support subject and teacher expertise
  • lead subject curriculum conversations which harness and develop the expertise that resides in the trust
  • help develop common assessment and subject alignment beyond EBacc
  • engage fully with your subject community at every level
  • utilise the best that has been thought so that our curriculum work acts as a strong lever for social justice
  • ensure that all children and young people benefit from our curriculum development work regardless of ability, background or starting point

…then this is a great opportunity for you!

Should you require more information please discuss with your head teacher in the first instance.

Expressions of interest (no more than 300 words) outlining the skills and expertise that make you right for the relevant post to be sent to Chris Dickson, cdickson@westst.org.uk by 9.00am on Monday 5 June 2023. Please ensure that you have spoken with your headteacher before submitting your interest.  Interviews will take place during the week beginning 12 June 2023.

Recruitment update:

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

Boringdon Primary School is looking to appoint a Teacher with KS2 experience (0.6) on a fixed term contract from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024. Boringdon are looking for someone to join their team 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. Closing date: 5 June 2023.

Coombe Dean School are looking to fill the following vacancies:

Teaching Assistant - You will be the adult keyworker for a Year 8 student, supporting their learning both within and outside the classroom and during unstructured times to support the development of their social skills. Closing date: 5 June 2023.

Cleaner - 10 hours per week: Monday – Friday. Working term-time only plus 3 weeks during school holidays. The successful candidate must be committed to providing a quality cleaning service and able to demonstrate a sound knowledge of COSSH & Health & Safety Standards. Closing date: 5 June 2023.

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

Eggbuckland Community College are looking to fill the following vacancies:

Post 16 Administrator - Required as soon as possible, this role is to provide office support and reception services for the sixth form. Duties include maintaining Post 16 student records, relating to attendance registers, absences and census returns, as well as transport arrangements for link partnership schools and preparation of Post 16 publications. Closing date: 26 May 2023. 

Teaching Assistant – Hearing Support - This role involves supporting students who are d/Deaf / hearing impaired and to enhance an already highly successful and motivated team. Candidates must be willing to train up to the Level 2 qualification in British Sign Language. Closing date: 5 June 2023. 

Teacher of Modern Foreign Languages - You will support the development of an ambitious curriculum that ensures all students receive the very best that has been thought, said and created. For an informal discussion regarding this role, please contact Ms Charlene Nunn on cnunn@eggbuckland.com. Closing date: 26 May 2023. 

Teacher of Modern Foreign Languages/ Second in Department - The ambitious curriculum is based on the overarching principle of Social Justice and central to this is ensuring all students, regardless of their backgrounds, receive the very best of what has been said, written and created. Closing date: 26 May 2023. 

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

Hele's School are seeking to appoint a Premises Caretaker. Hele's School are looking for an enthusiastic, reliable, adaptable and appropriately skilled individual to join the team who provide repairs and maintenance services throughout the School site. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 26 May 2023. 

Holbeton Primary School require an excellent classroom practitioner for their Year1/2 class. ECTs and experienced teachers are welcome to apply. You will need to be inspirational and reflective, show initiative, creativity and demonstrate the aptitude to work as part of a successful team of practitioners to improve the life chances of their pupils and make every child feel ‘special’. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 22 May 2023. 

Ivybridge Community College are looking to fill the following vacancies: 

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.

Casual Minibus Driver - The post holder will have sound driving skills with a full, clean driving licence 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. Closing date: 26 June 2023. 

Learning Resource Centre Technician - In this role, you will be responsible for providing support in both our reprographics and library departments so an ability to juggle multiple commitments is a must. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication and customer service skills, and a strong attention to detail with the ability to support the library during busy times and liaise with students about reading. Closing date: 5 June 2023. 

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

Morley Meadow Primary are looking to fill the following vacancies:

0.6 KS1 Teacher – Fixed Term Contract. Are you an enthusiastic, inspiring and highly motivated teacher? The dedicated and hardworking team at Morley Meadow would be interested in hearing from you to cover a period of staff absence. Closing date: 8 June 2023

2 x Teaching Assistants – Permanent Contract. Morley Meadow are seeking to appoint two skilled Teaching Assistants who are hardworking, flexible team players to join our inclusive school. Closing date: 8 June 2023

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

Plymstock School are seeking to successfully appoint an Operations Manager who is able to demonstrate the characteristics required to lead a number of different teams in ensuring that the school operates effectively and efficiently. The role demands strong organisational and people management skills, alongside an ability to prioritise and manage their own workload and that of their teams. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 12 June 2023. 

Sherford Vale School currently has a vacancy for a Part-time Office Administrator. Sherford Vale are looking for a well-organised, efficient, and enthusiastic person to join their team to assist in supporting the Office Managers by providing a range of administrative support and reception service. The role involves working within recognised procedures and will include busy reception cover, answering telephone and face to face enquiries from a range of stakeholders. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 7 June 2023. 

Woodford Primary School are looking to appoint 1 full-time apprentice TAs to support and develop within the school team.  Woodford will fully support the candidates in necessary training and ensure that you gain in knowledge and skills to fully support the children within their care and provide the best possible education for them. For further information, please email on Woodford.primary.school@plymouth.gov.uk Or phone on 01752336228 and ask for Mrs Patrick or Mrs Archer. To apply for this position please complete a support staff application form. Closing date: 7 June 2023.