Welcome to the final edition of the ‘Whistle’ for the Spring term - this week we have seen the next phase of lockdown restrictions loosening and we finish the term with excellent attendance across our schools.

My main message today is thank you!

Our schools have been magnificent in leading from the front, building community trust and confidence, and ensuring all of our children return to face to face teaching in a safe and meaningful fashion. Despite peddling furiously in the background, our staff have provided an air of assurance and calmness throughout. I am immensely proud of everyone’s commitment and achievements.

We have seen lots of exciting developments through the term. One of particular note is seeing Eggbuckland Community College and Austin Farm Primary School join WeST’s network groups. We will continue to work together through the Summer Term with the hope of placing this partnership on a more formal footing in the future.

I hope you all have a well-deserved Easter break, enjoy the sunshine and take the opportunity to rest and relax with friends and family with the loosening of restrictions.

Best wishes, 

Rob Haring, CEO

Continuing recent articles to introduce the School Improvement Team, this week sees the spotlight fall on Simon O’Neill, Secondary Learning Practitioner: Science :-

Simon commenced the role of WeST Lead Practitioner for Science in 2020 and continues to teach Physics at Plymstock School.  Having previously pursued a successful career in the military and spending many years as an Army Engineer he completed his teacher training in London.

His current role as lead practitioner for science has him focussing on how science departments across the trust can align their curricula and assessments to improve the analysis of student progress, identify best practice and share successful strategies.

Simon O’Neill, Secondary Learning Practitioner, Science. 

Confirmatory PCR – change of policy on Covid-19 Testing

From today, NHS Test and Trace is reintroducing confirmatory PCR testing for positive lateral flow device (LFD) tests conducted at all assisted testing sites, including schools. This means that all staff and students who get a positive LFD test, whether at home or supervised at their school, should get a confirmatory PCR.  The PCR test should be booked immediately either online or by calling 119 and should be undertaken within 2 days.

The One You scheme offers a range of free resources and apps, please visit here for more information. 

Wembury New Build

As you will recall from previous Whistles, Wembury has a new building under construction with three new classrooms. Please see the photos attached, showing that all external and internal walls have being installed. These are prebuilt off site and assembled onsite. Hence the speed of build since the last article. All windows and doors are also installed meaning the building are now watertight. 

The internal fit out will take longer, so progress will now slow from a visual perspective only. The internal fit out includes the first fix of electrical and mechanical systems, such as electrical wiring, data cabling and pipe work for plumbing that is hidden in the walls, hence it won't be visible. The walls are then boarded up and the insulation you can see in the photos will be hidden. 

The project is still on target for an early June finish with the removal of an old temporary classroom which will also increase the playground area. I look forward to sharing with you further photos in the following months.

Plymouth School Sports Partnership

PSSP provides an essential function for many of our schools, particularly primaries, and is doing some amazing work in support of health and wellbeing. Please see the attached PSSP Wellbeing Booklet for staff, which encourages us to get away from our screens and take time for ourselves. 

In addition the group has also set up Plymouth SSP Strava Club to encourage us to log activity including daily walks, runs or cycles. For those who are competitive, activities are recorded and can be compared to others on the leader board… for others, there will be the satisfaction of contributing miles to the team. Either way, we hope it will encourage staff to get out and get active! The PSSP Strava Club is available to staff in those schools who use PSSP and can be found at here where you can request to join.

Make getting your vaccination a priority when it's your turn

Vaccine take up in Devon has been very good so far – nine out of 10 people aged 65 years old and over have already had their first dose.

But we know that as we get down the priority groups, to people of working age and with younger families still at home, pressures and busy lifestyles might make it a little more difficult to find time to get vaccinated.

Please, consider it a priority. Getting vaccinated not only protects you from becoming ill with coronavirus, but it also protects your family and friends by reducing the likelihood of transmission.

The NHS has published information that explains more about the COVID-19 vaccine and how safe it is.

30 Mar 2021
Headteacher at Sherford Vale Primary School
Are you looking to take the next step in your headteacher career in an award winning town in Devon with the support and backing from an established Multi Academy Trust?
Read more

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust have asked that we share an opportunity that is open to our entire staff base. To find out more information, please find the attachment sent by the WeST admin team. 

If you have an old bike gathering dust at home, you can apply for a voucher of up to £50 to get it repaired. 

The scheme is open to anyone in England who has an unused cycle in need of a repair. Vouchers can only be used with bike repairers or mechanics that are registered for the scheme in England. Only one voucher can be claimed per customer. A full list of terms and conditions and eligibility criteria is provided when you register. For more information go here. 

Recruitment update:

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

Clerk to Trust Board & Governance Officer- Working as part of WeST’s Core Services Team, this role will support the Company Secretary (Chief Financial Officer) and Clerks of Local Governing Boards in ensuring the effectiveness of corporate governance, and the Chair of the Trust Board and Chairs of Trust Committees with committee administration. The ideal candidate will have a background in providing governance and high-level administrative support to senior leaders/managers within a highly regulated framework. Full training and development will be provided to the right candidate to progress successfully in this role. For more information go here. Completed applications should be submitted to recruitment@westst.org.uk by midnight (GMT) on Monday 12th April 2021.

WeST staff are also able to apply for this position as a 12 month secondment with the prior agreement of their line manager. Further details of the secondment and how to apply can be found here. The job description is available here. 

HR Officer/Advisor - The post holder will provide advice and support on a broad range of employee relations matters helping to ensure timely progression of queries and cases in line with Trust policies, employment legislation and best practice guidance. Stakeholder management is key and there will be a high level of interaction with customers at all levels in the provision of advice and guidance. You should be qualified to at least Associate CIPD level, with demonstrable experience of providing advice and guidance about employee relations issues in a customer facing HR environment. You will be a strong team player with the ability to work on your own initiative and make judgements within the boundaries of the role, along with a knowledge of a broad range of HR practices and procedures acquired through training and experience. For more information go to our website here. Closing date for applications: Friday, 9 April, 9.00am.

The Westcountry Schools Trust (WeST) is seeking to appoint an exceptional individual with vision, energy and inspirational leadership to the position of Headteacher Sherford Vale School. The headteacher will have overall responsibility for the organisation, management and conduct of the school. You will provide leadership and assist with the delivery of the WeST strategic direction to ensure the achievement of the highest possible standards of education at Sherford Vale Primary School. The role will require collaboration within and beyond Westcountry Schools Trust and a close working relationship with the Hub Leader and Director of Primary School Improvement (DPSI). The Headteacher is accountable to the Local Governing Board and to the DPSI on behalf of Westcountry Schools Trust. For more information please go to our website here. Closing date: 22nd April at noon. 

Plymstock School have the following vacancies:-

ICT NETWORK MANAGER - required as soon as possible. Permanent - 37 hours per week x All year round (52 weeks). Grade G (SCP 26-29) £30,451 to £32,910. Plymstock are looking to recruit an ICT Network Manager to develop and implement the ICT service and support function for the school collaboratively with Westcountry Schools Trust (WeST), as required by the Senior management team. The post holder will manage the optimisation of the day to day delivery of ICT services and support through a managed service model. Closing Date: 9am - Tuesday 20 April 2021. Interview Date: Thursday 29 April 2021. 

DEPUTY HEADTEACHER – CURRICULUM – L21 – 25 – From September 2021. Plymstock are seeking to appoint an outstanding and inspiring senior leader with a passion for the successful education and well-being of young people. Plymstock have an exciting opportunity for a Deputy Headteacher to embed a clear strategic vision for the synergy of curriculum design, teaching, learning and assessment to provide coherent and ambitious delivery across the school. Closing Date: 9am – Wednesday 21 April 2021. Interviews: Week commencing Monday 26 April 2021. 

Data Manager – required as soon as possible. Permanent – 37 hours pw x 41 weeks pa (includes 2 mandatory weeks during the summer holidays for exams results weeks). Salary – Grade E - Plymouth SCP 15 - 20  (Actual pro-rata salary £21,194 - £23,400) (FTE Salary £23,541 – £25,991). Plymstock have an exciting opportunity for a talented and highly experienced Data Manager to join their school, taking responsibility for gathering, interpreting and presenting student data using our MIS system, SIMS. Closing Date: 9am – Friday 23 April 2021. Interview Date: To be confirmed. 

For further information please visit Plymstock's website here. 

Class Teacher Vacancies Required for September 2021:-

Full Time Permanent – MPS 1-6 

Full Time Temporary One Year Fixed Term MPS 1-6

Oreston Community Academy are looking to appoint enthusiastic and motivated Class Teachers.  These are on a full-time permanent basis or full-time fixed term temporary contract for one year. To apply for either position, please complete an application form that can be found on the school website here and send completed application forms to admin@oreston.com. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. Closing date: Tuesday 20th April at 9.00am. Interview date:  Wednesday 28th April.  

South Dartmoor and the Atrium are looking for a Head of Modern Foreign Languages. This is a full time, permanent position. The successful candidate will work closely with the Senior team and fellow Heads of Departments to deliver high quality lessons and opportunities to Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 students. For more information and to apply for this post, please visit here. Closing date: Friday 23 April 2021 at 8.00 am. Interviews will be held during the week beginning Monday 26 April 2021. South Dartmoor Community College & the Atrium are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will require an enhanced DBS check.

Chaddlewood Primary School would like to recruit a Primary Teacher for a full time position from September 2021. You will have the drive and enthusiasm to provide the best possible learning opportunities, inside and outside of the classroom, for our children. If you can enrich our teaching team with enthusiasm, ideas and a passion for making children’s school experience exciting and challenging then we would welcome your application. Please visit our website here for further details and a downloadable application form. Closing date: Friday 30th April 2021 at 9am. Interviews will be held in the week beginning 17th May 2021. Chaddlewood is committed to safer recruitment of teachers and the welfare of our children. Any offer of a post is subject to excellent references and an enhanced DBS check.

Coombe Dean School are looking for the following vacancies:-

Careers Mentor - The role will involve you working within the school’s Pastoral system to provide impartial careers education, information, advice and guidance to students, to advise on the delivery of quality careers education ensuring students have a wide range of opportunities and experiences provided to explore Key Stage 4, Post 16 and Post 18 pathways. Closing Date: 19th April 2021 at 9am. For more information go here. 

Teacher of Spanish and French - You will be well-qualified, creative and an innovative teacher of MFL to join a well-resourced department. You will: be committed to helping all students succeed, be able to convey your love of your subject(s) to your students, be a good team player and use ICT effectively to engage and motivate students. Closing date: 19th April 2021 9am. For more information go here. 

Coombe Dean School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. 

EYFS Class Teacher. Full Time Permanent – Salary/Grade: MPS/UPS. Required for September 2021. Are you looking to join a creative and very supportive team who work together to provide an exciting and enriching curriculum for highly engaged and motivated children? Glen Park Primary are looking for someone to join their highly successful Early Years team. This is a great opportunity for either an experienced Early Years practitioner or someone who is seeking their first teaching experience within a nurturing and thriving early years environment. Visits to the school to find out more about what we can offer, are recommended and most welcome. To arrange a visit, please contact the school office on 01752 339073. An application form and further details can be found on our website here. Closing date: noon on Wednesday 28th April. Glen Park Primary is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.

CLEANING SUPERVISOR - Required as soon as possible. Permanent, Grade C (scp5-7) – Pro rata of £19,312 - £20,092 pa (Actual part time salary £8223). Monday – Friday, 2.30pm – 6.00pm. 17.5 hours pw x 41 weeks pa (term time plus 3 weeks in the school holidays). We have a current vacancy for a suitably qualified Cleaning Supervisor. Further information, including key requirements of the role, job description and application form, can be found on our website www.heles.plymouth.sch.uk. This post will be subject to a satisfactory DBS Enhanced Disclosure. Closing date: 18th April 2021, Interviews scheduled for 22nd April 2021. For more information please go here. 

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