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Purposeful Navigation Towards Success

As we embrace 2024, optimism permeates the air, fuelled by our collective efforts shaping a promising path for our children. Our core values — Collaboration, Aspiration, Integrity, and Compassion — fortify our journey.

We can be optimistic because we have incredibly talented staff working hard in the common pursuit of doing the very best for the children in our collective care. Further reason for optimism is the fact that we enjoyed considerable success last year. Given that firm platform, we should only take strides forward and secure further improvement.

It was a privilege to welcome and talk about our work with 13 new members of staff across our schools at an induction event earlier this week. Continuing the theme of new staff, and as signposted at the start of term, we are now in the midst of a busy period of recruitment. All vacancies are advertised on the WeST website, the Weekly Whistle, individual school websites and with our new partner – MyNewTerm. Schools might also advertise widely on other channels.

We continue to develop our local tier of governance – Hub Advisory Boards (HABs). Each HAB represents between 6-8 schools across primary and secondary phase and has the opportunity to feed the voice of the community directly to the Trust Board via the Chair of our Trust and myself. The role of the HAB has now evolved to ensure a greater input for community voice on key issues that impact students, such as attendance, behaviour and SEND. Each HAB meets on a formal basis three times a year. HAB members are also involved in key strategic visits throughout the year, supporting and triangulating the work of the school improvement team. Given the strengthened role of our HABs, we are now seeking new members to join our growing and developing HABs, and would warmly welcome expressions of interest to clerk@westst.org.uk

The structure of each HAB is given below with the name of the HAB Chair.

 Please look out for communication from HAB Chairs via your school.

HAB 1

HAB 2

HAB 3

HAB 4

Schools
  • Ashburton Primary School
  • Buckfastleigh Primary School
  • South Dartmoor Community College
  • Stowford School
  • Woodlands Park Primary School
  • Yealmpton Primary School
  • Callington Community College*
  • Ermington Primary School
  • Holbeton Primary School
  • Ivybridge Community College*
  • Manor Primary School
  • Ugborough Primary School
  • Coombe Dean School
  • Morley Meadow Primary School
  • Oreston Community Academy
  • Plymstock School
  • Sherford Vale School*
  • Wembury Primary School
  • Austin Farm Academy*
  • Boringdon Primary School
  • Chaddlewood Primary School
  • Eggbuckland Community College
  • Glen Park Primary School
  • Hele’s School
  • Plympton St Maurice Primary School*
  • Woodford Primary School

Chair

Dominic Course

Esther Gerlach

Jacqueline Spencer

Rob Frankow

I would like to take the opportunity to thank the HAB Chairs and the current HAB Members for their dedication to Trust governance over the last year and for supporting and driving the development of our HAB model.

Best wishes, 

Rob Haring 

CEO

Education Job Search | Find Teaching, Leadership & School Support Jobs

New Vacancy and Recruitment Platform!

We are pleased to share that WeST is now working with My New Term to promote employment opportunities across the entire trust.  WeST’s career page can be found here and you will see the platform enables us to promote roles across the whole trust while also raising awareness of each unique school.

Please do share this widely within your personal networks; we recognise that our staff will likely know others working in education and are key advocates in marketing our schools and harnessing efforts to attract talented colleagues to a range of job roles across WeST.

Link: https://mynewterm.com/trust/Westcountry-Schools-Trust/136557

Thank you!

Flu Vaccinations 2023/2024

WeST continues to support staff wellbeing and is pleased to offer staff access to flu jab vaccinations this winter.

We are pleased to announce that this is now open to all staff members at WeST.  

We have partnered with Doctorcall to deliver a limited number of flu vaccination vouchers to use at participating pharmacies. These vouchers are provided at no cost to staff members and we encourage all staff to take up the offer of a flu jab.

 

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

 

Flu vouchers can be used at one of the Doctorcall participating pharmacies, which include Tesco, Day Lewis, +Well and Asda.


To find a pharmacy near you and to book your appointment at a time and date which suits you, please visit: https://doctorcall.co.uk/pharmacy-finder


Please note if you would like to book with a +Well Pharmacy there are more location options listed directly on their website https://services.well.co.uk/


Flu vouchers are redeemable until 31 March.

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

Have you accessed the Staff Portal yet? This section of the WeST website gives you access to a wealth of materials to support you throughout your time at Westcountry Schools Trust. It includes important information relating to all WeST employees such as policies, procedures and helpful resources and guidance for a range of topics including: physical health, financial support, health/wellbeing and rewards/benefits.

To access the staff portal visit the staff area on the Trust website.

As a WeST employee you also benefit from services provided by our Employee Assistance Programme, Care First. If you find yourself struggling and in need of some extra support, Care First is a service that can help. Further information on how to access this service can be found in the Staff Portal.

Care First also provides you with access to a range of online health and wellbeing resources, including helpful articles to boost your wellbeing. This weeks article is all about alcohol and raising awareness of the effects of alcohol and when and how to seek support. To view this article, please click HERE and to view all of the upcoming Care First wellbeing articles, please visit the Health and Wellbeing pages in the Staff Portal.

Teachers Trampoline Courses at Callington Community College

• Teachers Trampoline Part One Course - £300 per person

Monday 30th September and Tuesday 1st October 2024 

• Teachers Trampoline Part Two Course - £300 per person

Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd October 2024 

• Teachers Trampoline Refresher Course - £150 per person

Friday 4th October 2024  

The Teachers’ Trampoline Awards consist of two parts.  Part One must be completed before progressing to Part Two.  Part One and Part Two courses may run concurrently, consisting of a four-day delivery.


In order to be eligible to attend the Teachers’ Trampoline Awards, a candidate must be:

• Specialist trained PE teacher, or

• Trainee PE teacher (undertaking a PGCE, GTP or SCITT or in their 3rd/4th year of a QTS course); or

• Teachers who are not PE specialists, but hold a current UKCC Level 2 (or higher) BG coaching award, or equivalent.

• Teachers must provide their DfE or trainee PE teacher number on the first day of the course.

For more information and to book a course, please click HERE.

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Happier January 2024

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Recruitment update:

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

Eggbuckland Community College are seeking to fill the following vacancies:

 Casual Examination 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. Closing date: On-going.

Cover Supervisor x 2 - Eggbuckland currently require two Cover Supervisors to provide supervision of classes/groups of students in the absence of Teachers. 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: 6 February 2024.  

Exams Manager - The successful candidate will be responsible for providing a professional, efficient, and highly effective exams system in accordance with set policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation, whilst maintaining high standards and confidentiality at all times. Closing date: 6 February 2024.

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

Hele's School are looking to appoint a Teacher of English. Hele's are seeking an exceptional teacher with energy, creativity and commitment to join their English department. We wish to appoint a dynamic and ambitious classroom practitioner with the capacity to teach English to KS4. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 1 February 2024.

Ivybridge Community College are looking to appoint a Casual Examination 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. Closing date: On-going.

Cover Supervisor x 3 - Ivybridge are looking to appoint three exceptional individuals into the positions of Cover Supervisor for English, Science and Physical Education. The successful candidates will be a member of support staff, providing specific support to provide lesson cover on a daily basis. The Cover Supervisors will provide a high standard of support to assist with the smooth operation of the organisation. Closing Date: 29 January 2024.

Teaching Assistant - Ivybridge are looking to appoint an exceptional individual to join their existing team of Teaching Assistants at Ivybridge Community College. The post holder is responsible to work under the guidance of the teaching/senior staff and within an agreed system of supervision, they will implement agreed work programmes with individuals/groups, in or out of the classroom. Closing date: 31 January 2024.

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

Oreston Community Academy is looking to appoint a KS2 Class Teacher (Maternity Cover). Oreston is looking for a committed and passionate part time Teacher to be responsible for the learning and achievement of all pupils in the class/es ensuring equality of opportunity for all. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 29 January 2024.

Plymstock School is looking to fill the following vacancies: 

Exam Invigilators - The post holders will be a confident and reassuring presence to students whilst providing supervision within an exam room. Duties will include assisting the Exams Team in ensuring examinations are carried out to the correct guidelines.  Closing date: On-going.

Teacher of Geography with TLR2A - Plymstock is looking for an enthusiastic and engaging Teacher of Geography, who is keen to take on a role in the strategic planning of the department and will promote the delivery of a high quality provision in a key stage. Closing date: 5 February 2024.

Teaching Assistant - Plymstock is seeking a dedicated Teaching Assistant who is committed to helping change the lives of children and young people. The successful candidate will join their friendly, supportive and inspiring Special Educational Needs Department. Acting under the direction of the school's SENDCo and SEND Year Team Leader, the individual will provide general and targeted support to staff and students. Closing date: 26 January 2024.

Behaviour Support Coordinators x 2 - Plymstock is looking to appoint two exceptional individuals to the position of Behaviour Support Coordinators based at Plymstock School. These talented individuals, will be required to manage and continue to develop their caring and supportive learning environment for our young people, including the school vision of "Achieving Excellence through Curriculum and Culture". Closing date: 26 January 2024.

HLTA Exams Access Arrangements - Plymstock is seeking to appoint a Higher Level Teaching Assistant who will, in addition to the role of Teaching Assistant, work in collaboration with our SENDCo to support exams access arrangements.  The post holder will also support the SEND Departments' needs to include intervention and liaising with outside agencies. Closing date: 7 February 2024.

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

Stowford School is looking to appoint a Class Teacher. Stowford is 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. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 1 February 2024.

Woodlands Park Primary School is looking to fill the following vacancies:

 Deputy Headteacher with SENDCo responsibilities - Woodlands Park is seeking to appoint an inspirational, enthusiastic and highly motivated leader to join their dedicated Senior Leadership Team, and support their continued drive for excellence in every aspect of school life. This will be an exciting opportunity for a current SENDCo who is ready to take the next step in their career. Closing date: 29 January 2024.

KS2 Teacher - Woodlands Park is looking to appoint a talented and creative teacher to join their supportive and highly successful team at Woodlands Park Primary School to teach their Year 4 class. Closing date: 31 January 2024.

Teaching Assistant - Woodlands Park require a flexible, adaptable and enthusiastic individual to support learning across the curriculum. Closing date: 31 January 2023.

Year 2 Class Teacher (Maternity Cover) - Woodlands Park is looking to appoint a talented and creative teacher to join their supportive and highly successful team, to cover a period of maternity leave in Year 2. Closing date: 31 January 2024.

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