The much needed half-term break beckons.

Thank you to everyone, for your collective efforts, and doing what you have to ensure our schools have operated with some degree of normality and consistent routine. This colossal effort has come at a price. I am fully conversant with the level of fatigue colleagues are feeling. Furthermore, I also recognise that many of our children have found this ‘return’ a greater challenge than the first.

It is for these reasons that I urge you all to find some time over the half term break to rest, relax and recharge. 

Before we head off into half-term for a much needed break, we are launching the Staff Survey today as well as the results values exercise that you have been taking part in these past few weeks. Can you please participate in the staff survey and crucially the section on choosing 3 core values from the final 15 as we can then begin to implement our reshaped values that WeST will hold at its core.

I hope you enjoy a terrific break and that the weather is kind to us!

Best wishes, 

Rob Haring, CEO

Staff Survey and Value Selection

To complete your survey visit here. 

Or Scan this QR Code: 

You may recall that in the Spring term staff across WeST were asked to provide feedback in a whole staff survey, results were shared in the Wednesday Whistle and have informed the work of the Executive Team and Senior Leadership Teams.

Today we are launching our final survey this year and offering the opportunity for you to once again share your views and help shape our positive wellbeing culture as we move towards the new academic year.  Importantly, this survey also offers an opportunity for you to contribute to the final stage of our core values project.

The short survey will be open from 26th May - 16th June, with just 13 questions to share your perspective. You can access this link on any internet enabled device or use the QR code. Results will be anonymous and every entry will be reviewed centrally. A summary of the results will be published in future editions of the Wednesday Whistle.

Please take part and let us have your feedback!

P60 Records 

Staff members across WeST are reminded that P60 documents will be available for 2020/2021 from their school’s payroll provider alongside their monthly payslip records. The P60 document is an important personal record of your pay and tax, employees are encouraged to ensure they review / download / print / keep a copy safe for their personal records along with any tax credit claims or self-assessment returns. Across WeST we have three payroll providers who operate different types of online systems for staff to access their employment pay records. If you are unsure where/how you access your payslip records please speak to your local school administrator or contact the HR team on hr@westst.org.uk.

Upcoming Event at The Learning Institute

The Learning Institute have an upcoming event on Childhood Adversity on June 30th 2021. This event will include a full day of speakers, workshops and discussion investigating The Learning Institutes research into childhood adversity and the importance of interprofessional working. 

For more information and to sign up for this event please go here.

Please also find below links to the event registration page and The Learning Institutes socials where the event is also being advertised:

Event page: https://the-learning-institute.evenito.site/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TLIresearch

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TLIresearch

Starter Experience Survey-Final Week!

As part of the Trust aim of continual improvement, if you have started a new post with us recently we would be interested to know about your experience of the selection process that led to your first day.

A big thank you to those of you who have already taken 5 minutes to respond to our anonymous survey.

If you started your new role with the Trust after 1st February 2021 and have not completed our survey yet, we would appreciate it if you would spend a few minutes completing the form by clicking here or via the QR code.  It will remain open until 31st May 2021. 

If you would like to discuss this or encounter any problems opening the form please contact the HR Team at hr@westst.org.uk.

Internal Vacancy - Ivybridge

Job Title: Attendance Administrator

Pay Scale: NJC Grade C (scp 4-6)

Hours: 37 hours per week x 40 weeks a year

Contract: Permanent

Commencing: September 2021

We are looking to appoint an exceptional individual to join our Administration Team at Ivybridge Community College.

The post holder is required to provide a high standard of secretarial and administrative support to assist with the smooth operation of the organisation.

They will support the Attendance Team by ensuring a comprehensive administrative and clerical support service is available, across a variety of administrative tasks and functions. Under the direction of an appropriate member of the Senior Leadership Team, the post holder will respond to matters relating to students’ attendance and any related safeguarding concerns on a daily basis.

The full job description and person specification is available by request to: HR@ivybridge.devon.sch.uk.  Completed applications are to be returned to this email address by the closing date.

Closing date for applications: Wednesday, 9 June 2021, 9.00am.

Recruitment update:

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

Plymstock School are looking for an ICT Network Manager to start 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 postholder will manage the optimisation of the day to day delivery of ICT services and support through a managed service model. Closing Date: 9am – Monday 7 June 2021. Interview Date: week beginning Monday 14 June – date to be confirmed. For more information on the above vacancy, please go here.

Coombe Dean School are looking for the following vacancies:

Behaviour Manager to start in September 2021. Applications are invited from suitably experienced staff to lead and manage the Behaviour Support team, to manage the learning environment in our Reflection Room. You will have a passion for working with students who have barriers to their learning which are mainly based in behaviour issues - and knowledge of how to overcome them. You will also have the credibility and experience to run our Reflection Room and work alongside staff to reintegrate students into the classroom. Closing date: 7th June 2021 9am. For more information on this job role, please go here. 

Teacher of English to start in September 2021. The successful candidate will be an excellent classroom practitioner and passionate about working with students. The ability to engage, enthuse and inspire young people and colleagues to achieve success is key. Coome Dean welcome applications from both experienced teachers and NQTs. Closing date: 7th June at 8am. For more information, please go here. 

Hele's School are looking to appoint a Cleaner - Permanent. 15 hours pw/41 weeks pa, Actual part-time salary £6512 per annum (pro rata of £17,842 FTE). Hele's are seeking cleaners for start as soon as possible. Further information can be found on their website here or please call on 01752 337193. This post will be subject to a satisfactory DBS Enhanced Disclosure. Closing date: midnight Sunday 6th June 2021. Interviews will take place on Thursday 10th June 2021. 

Callington Community College have the following vacancies: 

ICT Network Manager  who will develop and implement the ICT service and support function for the College. The post holder would take responsibility for the appropriate operational and strategic planning and be able to review, develop and improve ICT/Network systems. Closing date: Friday 4th June at 9am. For more information about this role, please go here. 

1:1 Teaching Assistant who will support a bespoke transition package from primary to secondary education. The postholder will be initially based at the child’s primary school in the locality for the remainder of the summer term before supporting them at the College from September 2021. Closing date: Friday 28 May 2021 at 9am. For more information, please go here. 

Sherford Vale School - 

This is an exciting opportunity to join the newly created Westcountry Schools Trust, currently employing approximately 1500 staff and growing. Sherford Vale are a dynamic organisation with our students and staff at our heart. Due to the ongoing growth of Sherford Vale School, they currently require a number of posts. Sherford are seeking to recruit highly supportive, friendly and experienced staff. Sherford are looking for candidates who have high expectations, have a hunger to improve, a strong teamwork ethic and who are flexible.

  1. Playleader Grade C Permanent part time 13.75hrs per week Monday-Friday 38 weeks per annum
  2. Caretaker Grade D Permanent 27.5 hrs per week x 52 weeks per annum (7.00-9.30am + 3.00-6.00pm)
  3. Teaching Assistant Grade C one to one Y2 Fixed term 30 hrs per week x 38 weeks per annum (8.45-12.30 + 1.00-3.15pm)
  4. Teaching Assistant Grade C one to one EYFS Fixed term 15hrs per week x 38 weeks per annum (hours to be arranged). 

For more information on the above posts, please contact the school on 01752 891795 or go to their website here. 

Boringdon Primary School are looking for a Full Time Teaching Assistant to start in September 2021. Boringdon are looking to appoint an enthusiastic individual with a love of learning and sense of fun to join their team. Boringdon are offering a highly rewarding career with plenty of opportunities for professional development. Their enduring aim is to ensure that all staff are well trained, motivated and provided with the support they need to fulfil their roles with confidence and warmth. Closing date: 9am 7th June 2021. Interviews: 14th June 2021. For more information, please go here. 

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