I start this ‘Whistle’ with an admission of making an ill-judged assumption, and as such, now wish to offer clarity.

Name confusion

So, my announcement last week of WeST having appointed Amy Pearce to cover the maternity leave of Ruth Woodhouse has caused undue confusion, for which I apologise. You will recall that I gave a ‘shout out’ through the whistle a few weeks ago about internal capacity from your schools to cover all of Ruth’s crucial workstream through a secondment. This didn’t prove fruitful given the timing. As such, we advertised on the WeST website and have been able to make a terrific appointment – Amy Pearce. From 1 September 2022 WeST will have two colleagues in leadership positions with the same name; Amy Pearce who holds the role of Assistant Principal at ICC and Amy Pearce who will cover Ruth’s maternity leave as Executive Director of Training & Learning. In future, I will take greater care to identify to which Amy Pearce I am referring when I write!

NPQLTD

Continuing the theme of leadership, I once again draw your attention to the current recruitment round – through LLSW – for the next cohort of NPQLTD. If colleagues are working alongside and supporting ITTs or ECTs, or have an intention to do so in the future, then the new NPQLTD qualification is just the ticket and could well become an expectation in future years. If this interests you then please reach out to your Headteacher to discuss the opportunity of you being in either of the 2022-23 cohorts. Cohort 2a will start in October and cohort 2b in March 2023.

Year 4 multiplication tables check (MTC)

Given that the phonics screening checks have been completed (last week), I suspect that our Year 4 children are busy with their multiplication table checks this week and next. Good luck!

WeST School leadership

Anthony Hutchings is going to continue his current work by maintaining his professional brief over two WeST schools – Glen Park Primary School (his substantive school) and Austin Farm Academy. This arrangement has been agreed for a fixed term of one year. In recognition of the mid-term arrangement (temporary) and to secure the right footing for all involved, Anthony will assume the title Executive Headteacher to reflect the accountability for more than one school.

Similarly, Justine Mason will have some professional oversight of Plymstock School in addition to her substantive post at Hele’s School. As above, this is a midterm arrangement fixed for one year, and will correspondingly attract the title Executive Headteacher for the one year period.

I would also like to draw your attention to an opportunity at Sherford Vale School that will be going live from mid-morning tomorrow. Keep an eye on our website for further details. 

Best wishes, 

Rob Haring, CEO

HR Update

Personal Development Reviews (the new Appraisal)!

Following consultation with senior leadership teams and staff (via our WeST staff survey) the Trust has developed a draft PDR Policy which brings together key principles on which we are all agreed:

  • A revised system of Personal Development Reviews
  • Sitting within a framework providing clarity of expectations and consistency
  • Comprised of 3 PDR meetings per year, one per term, commencing in the summer term
  • Cascading through the leadership line
  • PDRs will be focused on:
    • Personal growth and development (x3 goals)
    • Workload and wellbeing
  • PDRs will include consideration of career aspirations and succession planning
  • Link to pay incremental pay progression to be removed (currently applies to teaching staff)

The revised policy is currently with senior leaders for review and has also been shared with our Union Joint Consultation and Negotiation Committee, whose initial response has been largely positive (although we await detailed feedback).

Following any amendments from this initial round of consultation, a further draft will be published for wider staff feedback. Please keep an eye on the Whistle over the coming weeks for this.

A notice to BlueSky users

Alongside our review of Appraisal and the change to Personal Development Reviews, you will be aware that the Trust has recently moved our payroll provision to MHR. The MHR platform brings the benefit of additional functionality as part of an inclusive package. This includes a module for the management of Personal Development Reviews and CPD.

Feedback from leadership teams as part of the appraisal project indicated that whilst a software platform to manage PDRs and CPD would be essential, they would welcome something more intuitive and less time consuming to manage.  The Trust has therefore agreed with leaders to cease the contract with BlueSky in favour of exploring the use of MHR moving forward.

Therefore, access to the BlueSky platform will cease for all users on 31 July 2022. A review form for the year 2021/22 has been published via the BlueSky for those of you who wish to make use of this in closing down this year’s cycle.

Should you wish to retain your BlueSky information, you can download copies of your individual ‘Progress Summary reports’, which can be found under Home/Progress Summary, or alternatively you may wish to contact BlueSky individually to request a free of charge single license which will allow you to reactivate your account for continued access to your own data and ongoing personal use. 

It is likely, that pending transition to MHR, ‘Goals’ for the 2022/23 cycle will need to be noted on a softcopy form which will be provided as an interim arrangement; this is currently in development.

If you have any question at all, please do not hesitate to contact the HR Team.

Joyful June 

Recruitment update:

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

Chaddlewood Primary School would like to recruit an LSA to its KS2 team. Chaddlewood is a school that is passionate about delivering an effective and engaging curriculum that meets the needs of their children and community and enables our children to meet their potential. Visits are by appointment and highly recommended. For more information, please go here. Closing date: Monday 20th June. 

Stowford School are looking to appoint a Class 2 Teacher (KS2). Stowford are looking for someone to join their team who will teach full time and demonstrate passion and enthusiasm for achieving both the best for the children in their class and playing their part in their successful staff team on our forward journey. The role is within Key Stage 2 initially. For more information, please go here. Closing date: 9am on Monday 20 June 2022. 

Callington Community College are looking for the following vacancies: 

Teacher of Mathematics - Callington are looking for a talented, enthusiastic and inspirational candidate, with outstanding inter-personal skills, to teach Mathematics. This post is suitable for an experienced teacher with a passion for Mathematics. Additionally, we would welcome applications from ECTs. For more information, please go here. Closing date: 9.00 am Monday 20 June 2022. 

Teacher of Social Sciences - Social Sciences (Sociology, Criminology and Psychology) are a popular choice for students at both GCSE and A-Level at the College. Callington are seeking to appoint an exceptional practitioner who is passionate about raising achievement and securing the best outcomes for all students. For more information, please go here. Closing date: Friday 24 June 2022. 

Hele’s School has a number of exciting opportunities for teaching and support staff available:

  • 3x Cleaner – 15 Hours (Closing Date: Friday 24 June 2022)
  • Cleaning Supervisor (Closing date: 9am Friday 24 June 2022) 
  • Premises Caretaker (Closing Date: Friday 24 June 2022) 
  • Deputy SENDCo (Closing Date: 9.00am, Monday 20 June 2022) 
  • Science Technician (Closing date: 8am, Monday 27 June 2022) 
  • Deputy Examination Officer
  • Teacher of Science (Closing Date: 9am, Monday 20 June 2022) 
  • Teacher of IT and Computing (Closing Date: 9am, Thursday 23 June 2022) 

The Application Forms and Applicant Information Packs can be obtained from the School’s website www.heles.plymouth.sch.uk or for any additional information required please contact blakey@heles.plymouth.sch.uk

Plymstock School are looking to appoint a Careers Coordinator. Plymstock are looking to appoint an inspirational colleague who will ensure the delivery of a best practice careers service. The successful candidate will care deeply about the success of every child and will raise aspirations across the school. Working in collaboration with colleagues within the school community, you will coordinate a comprehensive Year 7 to 13 Careers Education programme. This is a full time, term time, permanent post – 37 hours pw x 40 weeks pa Salary – Grade D - Plymouth SCP 8 - 14 (Actual pro-rata salary £18,315.43 - £20,627.25) (FTE Salary £20,852 – £23,484) For more information, please go here. Closing Date: 9am Friday 24 June 2022.