I open by saying it is only 12 working days until the Christmas break! Thank you for your continued determination and resilience in dealing with the situations and challenges that present themselves. You are doing a fantastic job in remaining open and providing meaningful learning. To some extent, your collective effort is reflected in our above average attendance rates as follows:-

As of 20th November WeST’s primary attendance rate was 97.2% (compared to rates nationally of 87% and Devon of 96%) and WeST’s secondary rate was 92.8% (compared to rates nationally of 78% and Devon of 89%).

I have mentioned in a couple of forums that we are engaging in a significant piece of work around our values and professional behaviours. Although challenging it is refreshing to engage in reflective and developmental activity as opposed to dealing with the daily challenge of Coronavirus. This work is of vital importance since it underpins our desire to harvest the professional expertise and know-how across our trust. We need the right conditions for us to be able to bring this potential to the fore and add value to all our children. We are on our journey in this regard and it is exciting to know that we have such untapped talent to realise. 

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 a live vacancy for a Business Administration Apprentice -for more information 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 the following:- 

  • 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.
  • Assistant Curriculum Leader - Mathematics to work with the Curriculum Leader to help raise standards and participation in Mathematics. Starting April 2021 - Salary range: MPS/UPS + TLR2B. For more information 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

For more information on the above vacancies click here.

Stowford School have a number of vacancies including:- a cleaner (permanent); wraparound care assistants (fixed term 11.25 or 16.25 hours per week); teaching assistant and meal time assistant (fixed term till Easter).  Closing date Thursday 10th December 2020.  Please see the school website for more information by clicking here.

Covid-19: Lifting of national restrictions - updated guidance

Following the lifting of national restrictions from today we are in a position to welcome our CEV colleagues back to the workplace. 

Please find here updated guidance to reflect the latest changes. 

In addition to your local School and business unit Risk Assessments, a system of individual risk assessments remains in place for colleagues who are at higher risk of serious illness from Covid-19.  The guidance also signposts options for staff who may wish to explore additional support mechanisms. 

Best wishes from the HR Team.

Estates Director update:

Saltram Meadow

Since my last communication with you on the construction progress of Saltram Meadow, the project has moved forward significantly. Claire Duncan and myself had a site visit recently to see how it is coming along.

From the photos you can see that internal walls in the two wings have been built, plastered and a mist coat applied to some of the walls. The internal window frames have been installed and it is clear now to see the layout of the school. Underfloor heating has been placed with a floor base now laid in most areas.

The majority of the external scaffold has now been removed as the brick work and render in these areas have been completed. External windows and doors have been installed but opening mechanisms are outstanding at this point.

The North wing where the hall, kitchen, changing rooms and community area has had walls built is nearly ready for those to be plastered.

The WeST Estates Team are working with Claire and the Dunstone Team in which we are now looking at the physical move from Dunstone itself. Although we are still within the early days, planning and preparations for the move are starting to take shape.

We look forward to sharing more exciting updates and photos in due course.

Mark Bullard, Estates Director

There’s always lots on our minds in the lead up to Christmas and New Year, and this year, perhaps more than ever, we can sometimes benefit from some support to look after ourselves so that we can have an enjoyable festive season.

Able Futures have developed a Mental Health Advent Calendar including a daily tip you can use to help your mental wellbeing this festive season. From now until Christmas they’ll be sharing simple ideas you can try that will help you look after yourself and feel more able to cope with things that are playing on your mind this festive season. To view the calendar, click on the link below:

Able Futures Advent Calendar

And remember, it’s not always easy to cope. You could be dealing with stress or anxiety, issues at home or at work, worries about your health, family, finances or other problems - any of these can affect your mental health.

At times like these, it’s okay to get some help. Able Futures can give you advice, support and practical assistance at no cost and with no waiting lists. It’s completely confidential. You can get in touch with Able Futures by calling 0800 321 3137.

Annual Leave Uplift—Support Staff

The outcome of the support staff 2020 pay award included amendments to the minimum annual leave terms—increasing this from 21 to 22 days. This award was due in April but was delayed significantly by protracted national negotiations. Recent Annual Leave Guidance from NJC has confirmed the award and how this should be applied. For the majority of WeST colleagues the minimum entitlement to 22 days has already been met by current provisions. However, for some colleagues this has meant changes to Term Time staff pay calculations and All Year Round (52 week) annual leave entitlements. As WeST works within the boundaries of 3 different local authorities, each with slightly different terms, only certain schools will be affected.

If staff are working under Plymouth and Cornwall legacy terms, the statutory annual leave entitlement has already been met and therefore no change is required. 

If staff are working under Devon legacy terms, Term Time staff will have an additional day factored into their pay. All Year Round (52 week) staff are now entitled to 1 additional leave day.

This change is in effect now and will be backdated to 1 April 2020. Those staff on all year round contracts within Devon legacy terms will need to plan when the additional leave day can be taken before the end of the leave year (March 2021) with their line manager.

Payroll have already been informed of these changes, therefore affected staff will receive backdated pay in the December pay run.

A more detailed guidance document is available from the WeST HR team and has recently been shared with senior administrators / business managers for reference.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the HR Team via HR@westst.org.uk