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Welcome to the third edition of this year’s ‘Whistle’. 

Despite being in only the third week of the new academic year, so many key events have already taken place. Meetings held and developmental training undertaken. 

I have heard, and seen first-hand, the energy and buzz at our secondary schools open evenings – turnout has been super! 

A particularly key meeting last week was that of our Attendance leads. We know that this area of school improvement is one of our key priorities, but we are hearing now of the systemic problem across England. Even more need, then, for us to be resolute in our approach and make sure we are all playing our part. 

The development of reading remains central to our improvement work. It was pleasing, then, to see our RWI training and early reading training sessions in full flow this week. 

Furthermore, it was wonderful to meet our new colleagues at the WeST induction event and welcome them to the WeST family. 

I can’t sign off without returning to the priority of school attendance. Indeed, Public First have just published a research paper that exemplifies the challenge we face in ensuring full attendance at school. We know, though, that to return to pre-pandemic levels of attendance requires a concerted and determined whole team effort. 

Best wishes 

Rob Haring, CEO 

Flu Vaccinations

2023/2024

WeST continues to support staff wellbeing and is pleased to offer staff access to flu jab vaccinations this winter. Last year we issued over 300 flu jab vaccination vouchers to staff members across the WeST network!

Following your feedback and market research, this year we have partnered with Doctorcall to deliver a limited number of flu vaccinations at participating pharmacies or on site at a specific WeST site. 

We are enhancing the NHS free flu vaccination by offering vaccines to staff who are not eligible via this pathway. These vaccinations are provided at no cost to staff members and we encourage all staff to take up the offer of a flu jab via one of these pathways:

Flu vaccination voucher

To be used at one of the participating pharmacies (Found here: https://doctorcall.co.uk/pharmacy-finder). You are able to book an appointment at a time and location that suits you, pharmacies include Tesco, Day Lewis, +Well and Asda.

To request your flu vaccination voucher, please visit here or scan this QR code:

 

 

 

 

Receive a flu vaccination at one of our WeST sites

NEW for this year you also have the opportunity to receive a vaccination at one of our sites in the Trust.

Flu vaccination clinics are on a ‘first come first serve’ basis and the first clinic is located at:

Coombe Dean School

30 October 2023 from 1pm—6pm

Deadline to book your appointment: 9 October 2023

Depending on interest, future clinics will be arranged accordingly.

Please note if you wish to receive a vaccination via this method, you will need to book an appointment. The deadline for booking your appointment will be 3 weeks before the date of the clinic.

To request your on-site flu vaccination, please visit here for further details or scan the QR code. 

For further information please contact WeST HR via hr@westst.org.uk

 

Estates Summer Projects

Following on from last week's article. We continue the theme of outdoor play area upgrade.

Having a central Estates team and managing many projects in-house, means that WeST can use more of our capital budget on project delivery and not project management by external consultants. This hugely benefits you and our children as we can deliver more with the same budget. 

This week's project is Ugborough Primary School which had an extensive wooden constructed play equipment area that had reached the end of life and was failing. To ensure the safety of our children, we had to place the area out of bounds for the children to use. This reduced the available play area for the children by a third. During inclement weather, this is the only hard surface play area for the children. It was therefore agreed to remove the wooden play area, level the surface and maximise the hard surface play area to allow greater freedom for the children to run and improve visibility for staff. 

The project ran smoothly throughout, which saw the contractor remove 150 tons of materials, to level the area and extend its footprint. We also installed 65 tons of tarmac using wheelbarrows due to the restricted access. The project took three weeks and has hugely benefited the school. 

The final play area is now fully usable and much larger. Projects such as this one are highly visible and have huge positive impacts for the children and staff in school.

HR Update 

School Teachers’ Pay update

The Government has accepted the School Teachers’ Review Body's (STRB’s) recommendations in full for 2023. Headlines include:

  • 6.5 per cent uplift to all pay points and allowances for both teachers and leaders, apart from;
  • higher uplift for M1 of 7.1 per cent for England.

The Department for Education (DfE) is expected to publish the final, updated School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD) 2023 mid-November (backdated to 1 September 2023).  This timeline is as a result of the Governments statutory consultation process and the requirement for the final document to be laid in parliament for a 21-calendar day ‘praying period’ before publication.  The Trust intends to implement the award as soon as practicably possible following publication, backdated of course to 1st September.

Support Staff Pay update

Staff members may recall this relates to the April 2023 pay award. The national collective bargaining process this pay cycle has been particularly prolonged and remains ongoing.

Further updates will follow as soon as they become available and, as above, the Trust is committed to implementing the pay award as soon as practically possible for support staff colleagues following national agreement, with a backdate to 1st April 2023.

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Christmas Pay Date

Text: It may be a little too soon to mention Christmas?! But we thought it may be useful to mention that the December payroll run is due to take place on 20th December 2023 for all WeST colleagues. This is an exceptional amendment from the usual 25th of the month processing (or nearest working day) and is in recognition of the exceptional period of bank holidays and school closures. We hope this is useful to share in advance.

Ivybridge Community Big Band is looking for new members – Do you know anyone who plays Trombone?

Ivybridge Community Big Band is looking for new members. You would join an ensemble that includes staff and students from the college and Westcountry Schools Trust, along with ex-students, parents and members of the local community. It’s completely free to take part. We would welcome those who play Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums or Percussion, but in particular, we are short of Trombonists. The band rehearses in Music Room C3.07 at Ivybridge Community College from 7.00pm to 8.30pm on alternate Mondays. You might be playing regularly, or you might be a bit rusty, but as a guide this would be suitable for any musician of about Grade 4 standard or above who can read music to a reasonable standard. The band is led by ex-Royal Marines Band musician, the fabulous Gordon Carter.

Email: swhitehorn@ivybridge.devon.sch.uk or gcarter@ivybridge.devon.sch.uk

Self Care September

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Huge congratulations to the Learning Institute Class of 2023, who attended graduation at Worcester Cathedral recently. 

Over the past two or three years, these superhero students have juggled work and family life whilst studying for a full time foundation or top-up degree with The Learning Institute. On Thursday 14 September, they got to celebrate their achievements with friends and family in the magnificent Worcester Cathedral.

 

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Recruitment update:

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

Chaddlewood Primary School are looking for an enthusiastic and friendly colleague to join their lunchtime team as a Mealtime Assistant. As a Mealtime Assistant, you will assist and supervise children in the dining hall and playground promote their welfare, health and safety and will encourage good conduct and behaviour. For more information, please click here. 

Eggbuckland Community College are seeking to appoint Casual Exam Invigilators. Successful candidates will support the exams administrators with the day-to-day operation of examination venues. Duties may include reading and/or scribing for students with special needs. For more information, please click here. 

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. A full day, morning (start 8.30am) and afternoon sessions are offered.

Deputy Principal - Ivybridge Community College is looking for an inspirational Deputy Principal who aspires to be a Principal in the future who will have held a senior position in a school, i.e. Deputy Principal/substantial and current experience as a senior leader in a secondary school. Closing date: 11 October 2023.

PACE Co-ordinator - Under the direction of the Behaviour Manager, within an agreed system of supervision, the post holder is responsible for the effective day-to-day organisation, coordination, supervision of students and support of the PACE rooms.  Implementing agreed work programmes with individuals/groups, in or out of the classroom / PACE room. Closing date: 5 October 2023.  

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

Oreston Community Academy are looking to fill the following vacancies: 

Catering Assistant - This role will include working in their kitchen, assisting the Enterprise Manager with the provision and service of school meals. It will also include working in the hall at lunchtimes under the direct management of the
Enterprise Manager. Closing date: 4 October 2023. 

Catering Supervisor - Oreston are looking to appoint an enthusiastic and motivated Catering Supervisor to become a member of their friendly and supportive school team. Closing date: 4 October 2023. 

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

Sherford Vale School are seeking to appoint a Teaching Assistant to work under the direct instruction of teaching/senior staff. The person appointed would
need the skills and qualities necessary to demonstrate - a secure level of understanding of SEND needs, (particularly ASD and Speech Language & Communication), Safeguarding policies and procedures, and consistently high levels of expectations of behaviour and learning, to join their team as soon as practicably possible. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 5 October 2023. 

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

Casual Examination Invigilators - The successful candidates 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. 

Cover Supervisor (PE) - The successful candidate must be able to deliver the curriculum to a high level, across all subjects specifically PE, and will work closely with the Curriculum Leaders. 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: 2 October 2023.

Teacher of English - The successful candidate must be able to deliver the curriculum to a high level, across Key Stages 3, 4 and 5, working closely with the English 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: 2 October 2023.

Teacher of Science (Physics) - If you want to work in an inspiring, fully inclusive environment with students who want to succeed, and friendly, supportive staff, then we want to hear from you! You will join a passionate and dedicated team, and a Trust who is committed to providing professional development and opportunities for all colleagues. Closing date: 2 October 2023.

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

Wembury Primary School are looking for a Caretaker. As the sole caretaker at their friendly village school you will be responsible for undertaking maintenance tasks both reactive and planned work. You will also undertake inspections of the school and resolve any findings. The role will also include undertaking security lockdown and opening of the school premises. For more information, please click here. 

Westcountry Schools Trust is seeking to appoint exceptional individuals with vision, energy and inspirational leadership to the position of School Improvement Lead. The key purpose of the School Improvement Lead is to effect consistent improvement across multiple primary school settings in order to secure the very best outcomes (better progress than that achieved nationally) for children. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 9 October 2023.