We have reached the third week of the Spring term and as we start to enjoy a fraction more daytime light we are beginning to see some clarity emerge. We have now heard from Matt Hancock of the four conditions that need to be met for our schools to be able to fully reopen.

We are, slowly, starting to establish a new rhythm of working. We know that we will continue in this vein until February Half Term, and probably beyond that.

Our remote education offer is in place and we exhibit a healthy desire to learn from the emerging research as to what is proving most effective. These will be incremental steps, each building on existing practice. We also know that this model of delivery will continue for the medium term so need to ensure that our patterns of working are sustainable. We haven’t worked in such a concentrated remote fashion before so it is vital that we keep a vigilant eye on the new pressures that our staff face.

Lateral Flow Device (LFD) testing will become an everyday aspect of our work but I must stress that such testing is an additional aid to our system of controls – not a replacement. We know that LFD testing will help identify asymptomatic cases, and thus help break the chain of transmission, but on their own do not prevent the spread of infection. We have heard, today, that the DfE has called a pause to the regular LFD testing of students but asked us to continue, what will become, our routine testing of school staff. So, in short, our test centres will remain busy!

WeST has been contacted by the NASUWT to seek our support in taking proactive steps to reduce the number of children on our school sites. My letter to parents last Friday certainly conveyed this message in a strong fashion.

We have also seen Ofsted take an interest in the role that Multi Academy Trusts are playing in the sector's response to Coronavirus. If you get a moment do have a very quick read of this short article available here

Getting to know the School Improvement Team

Continuing with our theme of getting to know the WeST School Improvement team, this week we have included a ‘pen portrait’ from Rob Diment, Director of Secondary School Improvement (see article below).

Best wishes

Rob Haring, CEO

Rob started teaching is teaching career in a secondary school just outside of London, before joining Plymstock School in Plymouth. Rob’s first step into leadership was as a Head of Year in both KS3 and KS4, which was subsequently followed by a two-year secondment to the senior leadership team.

In the years that followed, Rob held numerous roles as an Assistant Headteacher that included Director of KS3, Director of KS4 and Teaching and Learning Lead. Rob was subsequently appointed to the position of Deputy Headteacher.  Initially as the strategic lead for behaviour, safety and welfare, and then as the strategic lead for teaching and learning.

Following the retirement of a long-standing Headteacher, Rob was then appointed as Headteacher of Plymstock School. In September 2018, he was asked to work with another WeST school as Executive Headteacher of Callington Community College. Finally, in September 2019 Rob was seconded to the central WeST team as Director of Secondary School Improvement.

Rob Diment, Director of Secondary School Improvement

Recruitment update:

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

As mentioned above we are looking to appoint an Assistant Director of Primary School Improvement to support the work of Richard Light within the School Improvement Team. This role will be from 1st September 2021 for one year (0.6 FTE). For further details please click here. Closing date 9am on Monday 25th January 2021.

Executive Assistant (Communications & Marketing). Working as part of WeST’s Core Services Team, this role will support the Trust’s communications channels and marketing activities as a well as providing a vital PR and professional administrative support role for the WeST Executive Leadership Team. For further details please click here. Closing date 9am on Monday 25th January 2021.

Clerk to the Governing Board. The Trust is ideally looking for an individual with previous clerking or relevant experience. Salary: NJC Grade D (SCP 7 – 12) Actual Salary £1,187 – £1,310 per annum (pro rata of £20,092 - £22,183 per annum). Hours: 100 hours per annum. Location (place of work):  The Learning Institute (Sherford Vale, Plymstock). For more information please click here.

To assist with the roll out of mass Covid-19 LFD testing, WeST Core Services Team are also looking to appoint the following:-

  • Team Leader – grade E (£12.45 to £14.02 per hour*/£24,012 to £27,041 per annum)
  • Coordinator – grade D (£10.41 to £11.50 per hour*/£20,092 to £22,183 per annum)
  • Registration Assistant/Testing Assistant/Test Processor/Results Recorder - grade C (£9.81 to £10.21 per hour*/£18,933 to £19,698 per annum)
  • Test Site Cleaner – grade B (£9.43 to £9.62 per hour*/ £18,198 to £18,562 per annum)
    *An additional 12.07% holiday pay is added to the hourly rate of casual workers

Flexible working patterns and hours up to full time (37 hours per week). In addition, flexible locations across Westcountry Schools Trust at:

  • Callington Community College, Callington https://www.callingtoncc.net/
  • Coombe Dean School, Plymstock https://www.coombedean.co.uk/
  • Hele’s School, Plympton https://www.heles.plymouth.sch.uk/
  • Ivybridge Community College, Ivybridge https://www.ivybridge.devon.sch.uk/
  • Plymstock School, Plymstock https://plymstockschool.org.uk/
  • South Dartmoor Community College, Ashburton https://www.southdartmoor.devon.sch.uk/

If you currently work part-time within WeST and would be interested in taking up additional hours, or work full-time and would be interested in a partial or full-time secondment into any of the above roles, please apply subject to your line manager’s approval. Full details on how to apply can be found here.

Ivybridge Community College are looking to appoint an Assistant Principal - Director of English. This is a fantastic opportunity to take a major leadership role in leading and enhancing the Teaching and Learning of English. Pay Scale: Leadership Spine 12-17 / Permanent /Full-time. For more information please visit the School's website here.

HR Update

Maintaining Staff in WeST Schools and Business Units Safely – Covid-19

Please find  here an updated guidance document reflecting a change in approach for our pregnant employees, who may be deployed to work from home depending on a review, and the outcome, of their risk assessment, as they enter their third trimester at 28 weeks.

WeST Public Sector Equality Duty Statement 2020

This statement available here sets out the Trust’s over-arching commitment to ensuring equality of opportunity and work, to prevent any unlawful or unfair discrimination, victimisation and harassment within all WeST schools and business units.  To support our equality, diversity and inclusion values, and to meet our legal commitments, we have a number of linked policies, schemes and action plans, which are referenced by the Statement.

These documents can be accessed at any time via the WeST Staff Portal (see guidance note below).

Wellbeing at Work

We are all aware that looking after our wellbeing is important; and the term wellbeing can include many elements - our physical, emotional or psychological, social, spiritual, intellectual, and economic health. WeST recognises the importance of supporting staff with maintaining their wellbeing at work and are exploring access to a number of tools.

Pop the kettle on and take a tour of the recently updated staff portal to explore current resources. If you know of a useful tool / resource, please share with the HR team (hr@westst.org.uk) so we can add this to the wellbeing area of the portal.

The Trust has also launched a Wellbeing Network with representatives of every school/unit, their leadership teams, and governor representatives. The first meeting took place on 13th January 2021 with a high level of attendance and excitement to develop the WeST wellbeing strategy further. Ask at your local school / unit who your local representative is or link in with the HR team. The Wellbeing Network will be reviewing the actions already in place across the Trust and working to develop a culture of positive wellbeing. The first two areas of focus are an employee assistance programme and staff voice. If you’d like to be involved in the Wellbeing Network link in with your Director/Headteacher/Principal for further details.

Roll out of mass asymptomatic testing in schools & colleges

This week Ivybridge Community College was mentioned in the DfE's daily Coronavirus update detailing their approach in setting up mass LFD testing - see extract taken from their communication below:-

"Ivybridge Community College has around 2500 students and 300 staff. Military support was requested to help run a test pilot day to ensure the process and organisation for testing was fit for purpose for the size of the college. The day was used as an opportunity for both parties to discuss ideas and to refine its operation.

Staff Sergeant Campbell said, “The College has set the standard for the area. The staff have been trained to an excellent standard by the College team and they have all the procedures in place. They should be very proud of what they have achieved, and we wish them all the best”.

The full DfE press release can be viewed here

Coombe Dean School have also been busy piloting a LFD Testing programme and have developed and shared an automated database that will reduce the administration burden considerably. We are planning a further roll out of weekly testing for our secondary staff and our primary schools have been busy preparing staff for their tests, which will be conducted at home.

WeST's Cycle to Work Scheme is here!

We are pleased to announce that the Trust Cycle to Work scheme is now open.  If you would like to know more an updated FAQ document is available here and the Cyclescheme’s website can be found at https://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/

If you decide to apply you will need the correct link.  Check your email inbox for information your school or business unit may have shared with you about the scheme.  If you work directly for a school or college you may also see posters around your school or college with the local link you need.

If you work for...

Your local link is also available from ...

... a specific school/college

... your local school/HR admin team

... The Learning Institute

... the TLI HR Administrator

… the WeST Core Services Team

... the WeST HR Team at hr@westst.org.uk

If you have any general questions about the scheme please email the WeST HR Team at hr@westst.org.uk

Wild Tribe Outdoor Learning Conference - Wednesday 31st March 2021

STERTS, Upton Cross PL14 5AZ

Key Note Speaker: Richard Irvine – Author of the book ‘Forest Craft’ "Richard is a former: outdoor instructor, secondary school teacher, field studies tutor and outdoor centre manager. After 27 years of working with young people outdoors, he now describes himself first and foremost, as an experiential educator. Since 2011, he has run forest school programmes and accredited forest school training in Devon and has led professional development courses in the UK and across Central and Eastern Europe. His first book 'Forest Craft' won a woodland book of the year award in 2019 and his second, titled 'Wild Days' will be published in March 2021. He likes making things out of wood, wandering on Dartmoor and is currently trying to teach himself Russian (experientially of course)."

Price Information and Booking Link: 

  • Arena SLA Members - 1 Free Place Arena
  • Additional SLA Place - £45 per person
  • Arena Network Members - £45 per person
  • Non Members - £95 per person

For full details on the conference programme for the day please click here.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK

Big Schools’ Birdwatch 2021 

The RSPB are publicising their Big Schools’ Birdwatch which they say looks a bit different this year. 

If you’re taking part in Big Schools’ Birdwatch with the pupils in school, their BBC Teach and Winterwatch day will add vital curriculum context to this. What’s more,  pupils at home can take part in a linked survey (Big Garden Birdwatch) as part of the Families’ Wild Challenge. More information on how to deliver these fascinating projects to pupils can be found here