It has been terrific to hear from so many of you as to how well the start of the new year has gone, and how refreshing it has been to be able to return to a far stronger sense of normality in our schools. Terrific news!

I wish to take the opportunity here to visit a couple of the strands of WeST’s Strategic Plan.

The first, naturally, is the People & Partners strand. A key piece of work that we are developing is the construction and implementation of our Talent Management Strategy. Whilst this is an exciting, yet complex piece of work, I want to signpost a few key points. Our Talent Management Strategy is designed to ensure that we

  • Recruit, retain and develop excellent colleagues
  • Endeavours to ensure we share and embrace a common set of values
  • We engage in our work and feel valued
  • We have a view of the career opportunities that are available to us all
  • Shape appraisal such that it carries a healthy balance of development and accountability.

Within the People and Partners strand we also hold a focus on wellbeing and the benefits of being an employee of WeST.

The second strand to which I wish to draw your attention is Teaching, Learning & Assessment. One of the features here is around the model of how to deliver meaningful professional development, at scale, that aligns to our priorities for improvement. Our WeST primary Curriculum Training event on Monday 6th September is an example of how we intend to meet this challenge. I hope that all those present not only enjoyed the input, but felt that they were able to learn, reflect and discuss the material with a wide range of colleagues. The key now, though, will be on how we keep the learning from that day ‘alive’ and consider the ongoing use of the work-booklets at a local level.

Good luck.

Best wishes, 

Rob Haring, CEO

What is an Employee Assistance Programme?

With ever increasing pressures at work and home, there are times when we all need some extra support to balance the demands of everyday life. Care first are an independent, leading provider of professional employee support services. Care first employ professionally qualified Counsellors and Information Specialists, who are experienced in helping people to deal with all kinds of practical and emotional issues such as wellbeing, family matters, relationships, debt management, workplace issues, and more.

How can I access this?

This service is free of charge for WeST employees to access, you don’t need to inform your line manager (unless you wish to) and its completely confidential. The Trust does not know who uses the service but does receive statistics on how many employees use the service and general broad themes of types of issues—no information is ever passed on which could identify individuals.

You can call 0800 174 319 to speak to a professional counsellor or information specialist in confidence 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

You can visit the Care first lifestyle website which offers additional resources and online services at:

Website: www.carefirst-lifestyle.co.uk

User Name: Westcountst

Password: Wellbeing1234

West Winter Flu Jabs

We have responded amazingly well to the challenges of the pandemic and everyone has made huge sacrifices to bring COVID-19 under control. We have learned important lessons and there is now an opportunity to ensure these lessons can be applied in the future.

As our sites return for the autumn term one inevitable fact remains. Winter is coming, and with it the Flu Virus.

In preparation the Trust are proud to confirm we have partnered with Boots pharmacy to deliver a limited number of flu vaccinations to staff who do not already meet the NHS free vaccine eligibility. We encourage all staff to take up the offer of a flu jab via one of these pathways.

You are eligible if:

  • Aged 50 or over
  • Have certain health conditions– like COPD, Asthma, Diabetes etc.
  • You are pregnant
  • You live with someone who is at high risk of coronavirus
  • You receive a carer's allowance for an older or disabled person who is at risk.
  • Have a weakened immune system due HIV, AIDS, Steroid Treatments or Chemotherapy
  • Being very overweight – a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above
  • Neurological conditions, such as MS, Cerebral Palsy, Parkinsons. You can have the NHS Flu Vaccine at: Your GP Surgery A Pharmacy offering free NHS Jabs Your Midwifery Service (if pregnant) More information on the importance of getting a flu vaccination & eligibility is available from NHS Free Flu Jab Eligibility

For more information, contact HR@westst.org.uk

Available to you if:

  • You are NOT eligible for NHS Free Flu Jab Vouchers can be sent directly to you via email or text message.

Vouchers are redeemable at any participating Boots Pharmacy: Store Locator (https://www.boots.com/ StoreLookupView)

Redeemable from the 1st October 2021 until 31st January 2022, on a first come first served basis.

Availability may be limited as flu season progresses and ongoing supply can not be guaranteed. 

To Request a Voucher complete the online Form: Flu Voucher Request or Scan QR code.

FREE Level 2 Training Courses Covering a Wide-range of Topics via the AIM Group

Following a brilliant uptake before the summer. The Aim Group were able to support 419 parents across 20 of the Westcountry Schools Trust by offering multiple FREE online Level 2 accredited courses available to help better understand some key issues around neurodiversity, young people's mental health and wellbeing. 

We are now pleased to extend the focus and open this same offer to ALL staff and governors.

Some of our the most popular subjects are listed below. Once your first course is finished you can do as many as you like. However, you can only do one course at a time. 

  • Adverse Childhood Experiences 
    Tailored to understand how separation, divorce and death in a family can influence a child's mental health
  • Mental Health First Aid and Workplace Advocacy
    Exploring mental health, how to support individuals with mental ill health, creating a mentally healthy working environment
  • Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties
    Understand characteristics of ADHD, ADD, Dyslexia & Dyscalculia, importance of early diagnosis, assessment methods available to diagnose learning difficulties
  • Understanding Autism
    Learn how individuals process sensory information, understand characteristics, understand conditions, learn how speech, language and communication differ in people with Autism
  • Understanding Behaviour That Challenges
    Supporting positive behaviour, effective communication & how to manage challenging behaviour
  • Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health
    Understand factors which may affect Young Peoples mental health, the impact that they have and how to support them with these issues

There are many other fantastic courses covering areas such as Safeguarding and Prevent, Business Admin, Working with People with Learning Disabilities. You can find out more about all these courses at https://theaimgroup.co.uk/courses/level-2

All courses are accessed online within a 6-week window. No Exams or end-point assessments are involved. All courses are based on a question-and-answer approach. Normal work expectations are 3-4 paragraph answers. All the information needed is provided in the corresponding online workbook. These are available 24/7. The time commitment will depend on your previous knowledge and the speed at which you work but typical completion rates have been 15-20 hours for the Mental Health First Aid course and 30-35 hours for the courses supporting behaviour, autism and specific learning difficulties.

To be eligible for these courses you need to meet these criteria:

  • Aged 19 or over on or before 31st August 2021    
  • Have been living in the UK/EU for the past 3+ years    
  • Not already on a government-funded course, e.g. an apprenticeship

Each course is completely free, but the learning-provider reserves the right to charge a drop out fee in the event you enroll but then drop out without providing a reason. The risk of a non-completion cost lies with you if you enroll. This will be highlighted once registered. The learning provider will sometimes grant extensions if there is reason as to why you are unable to complete the course within  6 weeks. 

You will need to attend a short Zoom induction to be successfully enrolled onto the correct course

Here is how to register:

Each WeST school will have until the 30th September to have collated a list of all staff or governors at their school wanting to access one of the qualifications with the intention of starting by mid-October. Your school should provide you with the contact detail of the colleague collating this information. WeST Core Staff can register their interest by emailing Heather Greaves, hgreaves@westst.org.uk. 

Once the school list has been returned to the AIM Group they will book in a 30-minute Zoom induction session to ensure everyone at the WeST School is enrolled at the same time.

Following the Zoom induction, it will take approximately 10 working days to receive your login. This is the date from which the six-week qualification will start.

HR Update

Staff absences to care for children with a non-critical illness – interim arrangements for September 2021 to August 2022

Last academic year you may remember that the Trust took the positive step of aligning this entitlement to allow 5 days paid leave in the case of a caring for a child with a non-critical illness . This was in response to the high number of children self-isolating as close contacts during the previous wave and therefore requiring parental care.  Added to this (due to the requirement for 14 and then 10 days isolation) we also introduced a discretionary element to be granted on an exceptional basis dependent upon specific circumstances.

In preparation for the likelihood of a spike in actual cases among our children, and in an effort to continue to treat staff equitably, the Trust has introduced the following arrangements for the academic year September 2021 to August 2022:

  • A ‘basic’ annual entitlement to 5 days paid leave as the standard across all schools/business units to care for children with a non-critical illness
  • Discretion for the Headteacher/Principal/Director to allow additional exceptional paid days specifically to allow for caring for a child who contracts Covid, to cover the required isolation period.  These exceptional additional days are ring-fenced for Covid-related childcare and will be subject to full and detailed exploration/consideration of the specific circumstances in each case.
  • Both entitlements (the standard and exceptional, where granted) are available once for each employee across the academic year September 2021 to August 2022
  • Any additional time off related to childcare for non-critical illness, either covid or non-covid related, will be unpaid

The alignment of this provision does not over-ride the expectations in place locally for staff to seek the required approval in advance of taking leave of absence.

We feel it is a positive step to be able to align our approach across WeST for a further year in response to the challenge of Covid.

Please contact HR@westst.org.uk in the event of any queries related to this provision.

Many thanks

Joss

TLI Newsletter

The Learning Institute has just issued its September newsletter, which includes information about the TLI's programmes; including degrees, teacher training, apprenticeships, CPD and current research projects.

Starter Experience Survey

Once again we would like to take this opportunity to welcome all our new starters to WeST. We hope you are beginning to settle in.

As part of the Trust aim of continual improvement, we would be interested to know about your experience of the selection process that led to your first day with us and your initial first couple of weeks.

We would therefore appreciate it if you would spend a few minutes completing the anonymous form that can be found here or via the QR code above by 30th September. Please also look out for an email over the next week or so with the link in if it is easier for you to access from there.

If you would like to discuss this or encounter any problems opening the form please contact the HR Team at hr@westst.org.uk or on 01752 891754 Ext 1765.

Introduction to Mindfulness

4.15pm to 5.30pm, Thursday 30 September (feel free to arrive from 4pm for refreshments)

WeST HQ, Conference Room Morley Meadows Primary School, Plymstock

This is an opportunity to find out:

 • What mindfulness is

• What mindfulness is not (!)

• How mindfulness might be helpful in supporting your well-being

• How you could begin a journey towards using mindfulness to support your pupils / colleagues

• If the 8-week .B Foundations course might be for you. 

To book a place on this taster session please scan the QR below or complete this MS Form. 

 

Recruitment update:

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

Westcountry Schools Trust are looking to appoint an Executive Assistant. This role involves working closely with the CEO and Executive team, calling for the ability to work independently with a high level of initiative and accuracy. The ideal candidate will also have a strong administrative background with excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to remain calm and controlled in a demanding and constantly changing environment. The role will require flexibility in working hours and styles to meet varying demands.  As the first point of contact for the CEO and Executive Team, it is essential that the post holder has a manner which inspires confidence across high levels of interaction. Application forms are available from recruitment@westst.org.uk  and completed applications should be submitted to this address by 9am on Thursday 23rd September 2021.  For more information on this role, please go here. 

Westcountry Schools Trust is also looking to appoint a HR Officer. If you are a dedicated and highly proficient generalist HR Officer looking to consolidate your practice in the education sector and progress to a HR Advisory position, with your own portfolio of schools, within 2-3 years, this post provides the opportunity to take the next exciting step in your career. Working in a fast-paced environment as part of the core HR Team, 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. 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. Closing date: 9am Wednesday 6th October 2021. For more information on this role, please go here. 

Eggbuckland Community College are looking for a Clerk to Governors. Grade D, actual starting salary £1,214 per annum. Starting with 100 hours per year, with potential increase to 200 hours at £2,432 per year. Required from September 2021. Eggbuckland Community College are looking to appoint a reliable Clerk to work effectively with the Chair of Governors, Principal and other Governors, to provide effective administrative support, be responsible for advising the Board of Governors on governance, constitutional matters, duties and powers within the broad current legislative framework. The Clerk will secure the continuity of Board of Governors business and observe confidentiality requirements. To find out more information on this role, please go here. Closing date: 9am, Thursday 16th September 2021. 

Stowford Primary School are recruiting for a number of roles in the after school club.  There is a Wraparound Care Assistant post 3.15 pm to 5.45 pm Monday to Friday term time only from 7th October 2021 and a Wraparound Care Assistant post 3.15 pm to 5.45 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays term time to start as soon as possible.  There is also a combined role of Meal Time/Teaching/Wraparound Care Assistant  totalling 28.75 hours per week.  These are all fixed term posts to 31st August 2022. Applicants must be good team players and ideally have some experience in child care provision and be willing to engage fully in the work of our school, including being flexible and working as part of a friendly, supportive team with high expectations.  For more information on these vacancies please go here. Closing date: Friday 24th September 2021 (9.00 am).

Wembury Primary School are seeking to appoint a skilled Teaching Assistant to join their happy and successful team.  This position will start as soon as possible. You will be providing 1 to 1 support (Key Stage 2) and must have excellent communication skills. We are looking for a warm individual, with initiative and patience. The successful candidate must be willing to engage fully in the life of our school, be flexible and work as part of a friendly, supportive team with high expectations. For more information on this role, please go here. Closing date: Friday 17th September 2021. 

South Dartmoor Community College are looking for a Community Sports Manager to relaunch the Ashmoor Centre, and build on existing good relationships between the school and the local community. The Community Sports Manager role would suit an ambitious and motivated experienced sports individual who is looking to progress into management. They will lead and develop the community sports offer, primarily based at South Dartmoor Community College. For more information on this role, please go here. Closing date: Monday 27 September 2021 at 8.00 am. 

Oreston Community Academy are looking for the following vacancies: 

The school is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic, conscientious, and self-motivated Site Caretaker to provide a key role in maintaining our school site, ensuring a welcoming and safe environment for the whole school community. With sound DIY skills you will be required to carry out a range of duties including general internal and external maintenance and completing Health and Safety checks and maintaining records. For more information on this role, please go here. Closing date: Monday 20th September at 9am. 

The school is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic, conscientious, and self-motivated manager for the before / after school and holiday club known as Lighthouse Club. This is an exciting new chapter for the club to continue its growth in providing a safe, exciting, and enriching environment for young people. The role of manager is to provide the day to day operations of this provision and take a proactive role in continuing to build the provision on offer. Closing date: 24th September 2021. 

For more information on the above role, please go here.