I open this week’s edition of the ‘Whistle’ by extending a colossal and heart felt thank you to you all for what you are doing on a daily basis to keep our schools open, safe and provide the best curriculum experience possible given our circumstances.

The last ten days have seen us experience more positive cases of coronavirus and the associated collapse of carefully identified ‘bubbles’. Through these challenges you have shown considerable fortitude and resilience.

We continue to take heart from the confidence that our community holds in our work. A demonstrable example is our average attendance rate which continues above the national average.

The Christmas break is nearly in sight with only 17 teaching days remaining this term.  This will be a time whereby we can ‘switch-off’ and finally take some proper time to rest, relax and spend time with our friends and families in a safe fashion.

Our spirit and collective strength will help see us through the next three weeks and whatever comes our way.

WeST is a large ‘family’ of professional colleagues and I understand that some colleagues, at times, might feel like distant family members. Whilst I acknowledge this feeling – it is not the case! We are currently spending time reviewing our values, what it means to be a schools trust and what we stand for in our community. When the opportunity comes your way please do get involved and contribute to our values piece. We own our values and need to live them out daily!

As mentioned in last weeks ‘Whistle’ I intend to signpost some of our WeST colleagues who are working industriously to support our schools but aren’t necessarily ‘front of house’. I think it is really important that our team approach is recognised even though some colleagues might not be working overtly in all of our schools.

In a more matter of fact tone, you could be aware, from some twitter sites, or indeed parents, that some schools are considering changing their last week of term from planned face to face to remote learning. There is absolutely no support for this from the DfE at present so WeST’s position at the current time is that we are planning to continue as normal.

Thank you.

Best wishes

Rob Haring, CEO

Recruitment update:

We are delighted to inform you that there are a number of exciting career opportunities within our Trust:-

WeST Core Services Team have the following live vacancies:-

  • Executive Director of Mathematics - for more information click here.
  • Business Administration Apprentice -for more information click here.
  • x2 ICT Technicians (closing date tomorrow!) - for more information click here.

South Dartmoor Community College & Atrium Studio School have a number of vacancies including:- 

  • SENDCo 
  • Deputy SENDco
  • Resources Technician
  • Exam Invigilators 

For more detail on any of the above vacancies, please click on the adverts linked to the above positions or visit the school's website here.

Coombe Dean School have two vacancies required ASAP as follows:-

  • English Learning Support Mentor x 1 post at 30 hours
  • Maths Learning Support Mentor x 1 post at 30 hours

Each of these posts could be shared by two people but would not be for more than 30 hours. Grade D £20,493 per annum, pro-rata. Term Time only (Fixed term until July 2021). For more information please click here.

Oreston Community Academy has the following opportunity:- 

  • Teaching Assistant & Holiday Club Play Worker - Teaching Assistant: 30.42 hours per week. Term Time (Grade C) 39 weeks a year. Hours: Monday - Friday 7.40am – 3.30pm. Grade C £19,312 - £20,092 (actual salary £13,692 - £14,245). Play Worker in the holiday club: 45 hours per week for 7 weeks of our school holidays. Hours: Monday - Friday 8.00am – 5.30pm. Grade A £17,842 - £18,198 (actual salary £3,430 - £3,499).

For more information please visit the school's website here.

Callington Community College are looking to appoint a Sixth Form Administrator to start ASAP (37 hours per week, Term Time only plus 5 inset days & 10 additional days during holidays - mandatory 2 weeks to be worked to cover GCSE and A-Level results days. Salary: £19,863 - £24,491 per annum, pro-rata. For more information please click here.

Plymstock School have the following two opportunities:- 

  • Assistant Head of Year (Permanent - from January 2021) Grade D, SCP 8-14 Actual Salary £14,230 to £16,026. Closing Date: 9am Monday 7 December 2020
  • Academic Support Coach (Fixed Term until 2/7/2021)  Grade D, SCP 8-14 Actual Salary £14,230 to £16,026. Closing Date: 9am Tuesday 8 December 2020

Full details on the above positions are on the School's website here.

Hele's School are looking to appoint the following:-

Learning Support Assistants – 26 hours 40 mins pw x 38 weeks pa. Salary - Grade B, SCP 3 (Actual pro-rata salary £11,160, FTE Salary £18,562). These positions will be required from January 2021. Closing date: (9am on Monday 30 November 2020). Further information can be found here. 

Delt Payroll – Core HR

As mentioned previously, colleagues based at the following schools are supported by DELT Shared Services for payroll processes:

  • Ashburton Primary School
  • The Atrium
  • Boringdon Primary School 
  • Buckfastleigh Primary School
  • Chaddlewood Primary School
  • Dunstone Primary School
  • Glen Park Primary School
  • Oreston Community Academy
  • Plympton St Maurice Primary School 
  • South Dartmoor Community College
  • Woodford Primary School

Staff members at these sites will have recently received details of individual user accounts (issued to their workplace email address) along with full instructions on the required multi-factor authentication (which requires a personal mobile number). The new system will enable staff to access their payslips [today] online for the November payroll –please ensure you test your log in and familiarise yourself with the new system ASAP to ensure you can access your payslip.

A small number of individuals have been issued printed payslips, in particular new starters, which have been sent first class to school sites for distribution.

DELT have provided a range of supporting training materials and guides which are available online at: https://deltservices.com/corehr-training-support/

The system web address can be accessed by clicking here

Should you have any queries regarding the system please liaise with your local senior school administrator / business manager in the first instance or alternatively contact DELT to raise a system query.

APPLY NOW - JANUARY 2021 START!

MA: Values-led Leadership

MA: Inclusion and SEND plus National SENCO Award

Senior Leader Master’s Degree Apprenticeship – insert one of our MAs into the Apprenticeship – funded by employer Apprenticeship Levy

Contact:  joy.mounter@learninginstitute.co.uk

Working from home and tax relief

If you worked from home earlier this year as a result of the first Covid-19 lockdown you may be entitled to tax relief from the HMRC depending on your circumstances. 

HMRC provide a link so that employees can make a fast-track claim direct with them.  This can be found here along with the rules around entitlement.

If you are entitled, arrangements will be made by HMRC to apply the tax relief after you apply to them.  Please note that an allowance is not paid by the Trust for homeworking.

Director of Inclusion update

WeST Mindfulness:

The links below will take you to a series of videos, each about 20 minutes long, filmed by Paul Beard, a Learn Devon Wellbeing tutor. They are an excellent way to explore how a range of mindfulness practices can support your wellbeing. Please do get in touch if you would like to find out more about mindfulness or join the WeST Mindfulness group. Finally. Don't forget that Headspace are still offering free subscriptions to anyone involved in education. Click here to visit their website. 

Learn Devon 5 Day Mindfulness Challenge:

Day 1:    Click here 

Day 2:    Click here 

Day 3:    Click here 

Day 4:    Click here 

Day 5:    Click here 

Richard Woodland, Director of Inclusion