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Dear Colleagues,

Welcome back to Term 4 –  a sprint to the Easter break! As I write, with just five weeks ahead, it’s sure to be a busy and exciting period across all our schools. I hope you all managed to find time to recharge over Half Term, as we dive straight back into the fast-paced rhythm of school life.

What an opening week it’s been! No sooner had we welcomed everyone back than Woodlands Park Primary School (WPPS) received the Ofsted ‘call’ at 9:30 on Monday morning, notifying them of a Section 5 (graded) inspection scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. In true WPPS style, the team pulled together with remarkable professionalism and positivity. The school’s ethos shone through, and the children were an absolute credit – engaged, enthusiastic, respectful and confident. A huge well done to the entire WPPS team for their dedication and resilience under pressure.

I’m also delighted to announce that Mr Stuart Koehler Lewis has been appointed as the permanent Headteacher of Plymstock School. I am sure you will join me on congratulating Stuart on his appointment and wish him and the school every success for the future.

As we progress through the term, we enter a particularly busy period of recruitment across many areas. Whether you’re looking for a new challenge yourself or know someone who would be a great addition to our team, I encourage you to keep an eye on the opportunities arising within WEST.

Thank you all for the energy and commitment you bring to your roles. I look forward to sharing more successes over the coming weeks – together, we continue to make a real difference to the children in our care.

Best wishes, 

Rob Haring

CEO

WeST Year 12 Summer Conference

Invitation to Lecture

The WeST Y12 Summer Conference has been held at the University of Plymouth for the past two years. The conference invites Year 12 students from schools across WeST schools to attend 3 lectures throughout the day on a range of topics. This allows all WeST Year 12 students the opportunity to experience Higher Education style teaching and sample topics that they have never previously experienced. 

The lectures are delivered by a mix of both University of Plymouth and WeST staff and we are now looking for volunteers who would like the opportunity to deliver a lecture.  We know that WeST staff have a wide variety of specialist subjects, many of which are not fully realised through their curriculum teaching.  It has been wonderful to see the passion and enthusiasm of WeST teachers delivering lectures at our last two events and they too have gained a lot from the experience of delivering in this university setting.

The conference will take place on Friday 20th June 2025 and lectures will be split across three time slots throughout the day. The lecture time slots are:

1. 10:25 – 11:15

2. 11:20 – 12:10

3. 12:45 – 13:35

If you are interested in delivering a talk, please speak to your Line Manager or Head of 6th Form to discuss your availability and complete the below form with details of the lecture you are able to offer.

https://forms.office.com/e/nAJiakC4Ev

CST is a membership organisation of organisations. This means that the organisation – the trust – is the member. Through them, we engage with thousands of trust executive and governance leaders. WeST is a member of CST so all our staff and governance volunteers can benefit from numerous resources.

CST are proud to support and represent more than 70% of the academy sector in England. CST members are responsible for the education of more than three million young people and children. CST is shaping the education policy agenda for school trusts. Bringing together trusts in England from every region and of every size, CST has a strong, strategic presence with access to government and policy makers to drive real change for education on the big issues that matter most.

CST membership: If you have not done so already, please register with CST to use this link Individual Registration Form | Confederation of School Trusts (cstuk.org.uk) and enter your details. Each person needs to complete their own registration form as they are providing consent to receive CST emails. 

Important Notice: Temporary Entrance Change at WeST HQ

For the next 12 weeks, there will be a different entrance to WeST HQ. Visitors should continue to park in the usual car park, enter through the front entrance of the school from the car park, and then turn left to reach the office entrance. Please continue to walk round to the normal office entrance. 

If you have any questions, please email admin@westst.org.uk.

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Friendly February

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Internal Vacancy: 

Westcountry Schools Trust is seeking to appoint an exceptional individual with vision, energy and inspirational leadership to the position of Executive Headteacher. The successful applicant will have a proven track record of success and school improvement at Headship level. The ideal candidate will have the interpersonal skills to build confidence and excellent relationships and the drive and determination to secure successful outcomes for all students.

For more information, please click on the link below: 

https://mynewterm.com/jobs/3547/EDV-2025-WST-33695

Initial informal expressions of interest should be made direct to Nat Parnell by 3 March, ahead of submitting a formal application.  The vacancy will close to formal applications at 9am on Monday 10 March 2025.  

Recruitment update:

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

Eggbuckland Community College are looking to fill the following vacancies: 

Senior Supervising Caretaker - Working with the Premises Manager, to undertake the senior caretaking role at the College, supervising members of the caretaking team on day-to-day tasks and in the absence of the premises manager. Closing date: 7 March 2025. 

Vice Principal - This crucial post is to support the Principal in raising standards for all students across the College with a focus on Culture and Standards. Closing date: 24 March 2025. 

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

Ivybridge Community College are seeking to appoint Casual Examinations Invigilators. 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. Full day, morning (start 8.30am) and afternoon sessions are offered. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 18 July 2025. 

Westcountry Schools Trust are seeking to appoint Secondary Initial Teacher Trainees (unpaid). Are you passionate about teaching and ready to make a significant impact on the lives of young people? We are seeking an exceptional individual with vision, energy and passion to join us as an Aspiring Secondary School Teacher, to uphold our core values and guide our vision of Every Child in a Great School. This is a 12-month, full-time, postgraduate programme in a Secondary School environment where you’ll experience a mix of study modules, live training sessions and classroom practice. Study modules can be completed at your own pace through our online learning platform, which will provide you with a foundation of theory to build your practice on. At every stage, you'll be guided by your own personal mentor. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 20 June 2025. 

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