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Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to this week’s edition of the ‘Whistle’. 

As you read this week’s digest, our Year 11 cohort has just completed their Autumn series of mock examinations. This significant milestone could not have been achieved without the colossal support and meticulous attention to detail from everyone involved. Ensuring these crucial assessments operated in ‘clockwork’ fashion was a major organisational undertaking, the complexity of which is mostly unseen and truly commendable. 

Another huge thanks to those teachers of Year 11 who are now acting as a ‘collective army of examination paper markers’. Their dedication in the quest to provide vital diagnostic and assessment information immediately after the Christmas break is inspiring. This information is crucial for informing future planning and ensuring our Year 11 cohort achieve and thrive. The attention to detail and resolve to ‘get things right’ will go a long way in supporting our pupils' success. 

Collaboration and shared expertise are the bedrock of our educational philosophy. This was exemplified last week with the first cohort of NPQH. It was wonderful to host prospective Headteachers at Morley Meadow as they engaged in their first face-to-face training session of the programme. The session was expertly facilitated by Jen Veal and Lucy French, showcasing the importance of collaborative learning and professional growth. 

Early Reading Network

The recent Early Reading Network session this week, focused on strengthening early reading strategies across the trust. It covered topics such as phonics data analysis, strategies for supporting the lowest performing 20% of learners, and effective assessment methods like Little Wandle and Read Write Inc. Leaders shared successes and challenges, emphasising consistency, staff collaboration, and targeted interventions to ensure all children achieve reading fluency. Key updates included CPD opportunities, new assessment tools, and planning future actions to sustain progress. 

KS1 RS Primary Network 

A great afternoon of collaboration across our KS1 RS primary colleagues. They were exploring the new local agreed syllabus, using AI in the creation of story and resources and how we can use the opening worlds pedagogies to benefit our KS1 students too. On top of this there was some amazing collaborative curriculum planning. 

Sensory & Physical Training 

This training provided participants with an engaging and informative session aimed at enhancing inclusive practices for learners with visual impairments. Attendees left equipped with tools to enhance inclusivity, understanding how to use pupil voice and collaboration to meet the needs of visually impaired learners effectively. The session reinforced the commitment to creating supportive, engaging environments for all students. 

Teaching & Learning Leads

Tuesday afternoon saw our secondary Teaching & Learning leads come together to share and develop excellent classroom practices. This session, facilitated by Naveed Khan and our Executive Directors of Subjects, was a testament to the power of collaborative effort in enhancing educational standards. By working together, we can innovate and implement strategies that benefit all our students. 

In an exciting update from the WeST Training Institute, we are thrilled to announce the launch of our new secondary teacher training programme for our September 2025 cohort. This programme, developed in partnership with Ambition Institute, positions us as the sole provider in the Southwest. Applicants are now able to register their interest to train with us, marking a significant step forward in our commitment to nurturing the next generation of educators. 

We will be open to applicants for the following subjects: 

  • English 
  • Mathematics 
  • Science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics 
  • Geography 
  • History 
  • MFL: French, Spanish 

If there is anyone in your network who wishes to find out more, please do forward this link to receive further information:?ITT Registration Form 

Best wishes, 

Rob Haring

CEO

HR Update 

For the attention of Teaching Staff - IMPORTANT Pension Information - View member version 

Implementation of teachers' pay award 2024; pay date 20th December 2024

We are pleased to confirm the Government has accepted the School Teachers’ Review Body's (STRB’s) recommendations in full for 2024 which includes the 5.5 per cent uplift to all pay points and allowances for both teachers and leaders from 1st September 2024. The statutory process of implementation concluded on 8th November 2024 as expected. The award will be paid in December pay (backdated to 1st September 2024).

Implementation of support staff pay award 2024; pay date 20th December 2024

We are pleased to confirm that on Tuesday 22nd October 2024 agreement was reached on the 2024 pay awards for local government services (‘Green Book’) employees; this covers WeST support staff for the period from 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025. The new pay rate is an increase by £1,290 per annum on each pay point on the spine up to the maximum point 43. Any pay points above the maximum will be increased by 2.5%. The HR Team are working with schools to implement the award in December (backdated to 1st April 2024).

As in previous years the trust is mindful of the difficulty this creates with Universal Credit and lump sum back pay. Unfortunately there has been no national resolution or to this issue and the advice remains that employees affected should contact their Universal Credit Work Coach for assistance.

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Flu Vaccinations - 2024/2025

WeST continues to support staff wellbeing and is pleased to offer staff access to flu jab vaccinations this winter. Last year we issued over 350 flu jab vaccination vouchers to staff members across the WeST network!

Following your feedback, this year we have partnered with Doctorcall to deliver a limited number of e-voucher flu vaccinations via participating pharmacies. 

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.

Flu vaccination voucher

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

Vouchers are to be used at one of the participating pharmacies (Found here: https://doctorcall.co.uk/pharmacy-finder).

You will be able to book an appointment at a time and location that suits you.

Pharmacies include Tesco, Day Lewis, +Well and Asda.

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

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Early-Career Payments for eligible teachers

Eligible chemistry, languages, mathematics and physics teachers can apply to the DFE directly for early-career payments between October and March.

You can can apply from 14 October to 31 March for the 2024 to 2025 academic year.

For more information, please visit: 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/early-career-payments-guidance-for-teachers-and-schools

New Ways November 

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Recruitment update:

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

Buckfastleigh Primary School is looking for a passionate and skilled Teaching Assistant to join the team. The role will involve working as part of an enthusiastic and experienced team to enrich the learning of a number of SEN pupils.  It is an exciting opportunity to be involved in a school that has excellent relationships with children and families and is at the heart of the community. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 18 November 2024. 

Coombe Dean School are looking to fill the following vacancies: 

Cover and Behaviour Inclusion Supervisor - To work alongside the Cover and Behaviour Inclusion Lead and the Year Team Leaders, within the Inclusion Team, with a focus on supporting students particularly those who are identified as having barriers to their learning and progress. Closing date: 22 November 2024. 

Teaching Assistant - The role will involve you working across the curriculum with students of differing abilities and needs.  Closing date: 22 November 2024. 

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

   Eggbuckland Community College are looking to appoint Casual Exam Invigilators. As an invigilator, you will assist examination staff with their examination processes. This activity may include setting up examination venues by laying out stationery, equipment and examination papers in accordance with strict procedures. For more information on the above vacancy please click here. Closing date: 9 January 2025.

Ivybridge Community College are looking to appoint Casual Examinations Invigilator. You will conduct examinations in accordance with the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), awarding body and Ivybridge Community College instructions. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 18 July 2025. 

 

Westcountry Schools Trust are seeking to appoint an ICT Operations Manager.  Are you an experienced ICT operational manager ready to take the step into strategic leadership and with a passion to make a difference in education? This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping and implementing an ICT strategy that will support our schools' commitment to quality education and operational excellence. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 2 December 2024.