I hope everyone is enjoying the improved weather!

A couple of editions back, I took the opportunity to turn our attention to our collective purpose and shared values. These are neatly signposted in the slide below.

I share the slide again since I have been fortunate to see first-hand some of the excellent collaborative work that is currently being undertaken. I’m pleased to share a couple of highlights.

Monday 20 June saw Nicola Dowling meet with the secondary Geography professional learning community to consider and begin to co-construct a geography curriculum for KS3 & 4. Similarly, the secondary Maths professional learning community met yesterday with Rachael Boothman to engage in a rich discourse regarding sequencing in maths.

Moving to the other end of the age spectrum. Last week, a trust-wide working party carried out visits to seven of the Early Year’s provisions across WeST. Together, they looked at what makes for effective assessment. The findings and recommendations were fed back to hub leaders at the end of the week, which will now inform our future, trust-wide work. Looking ahead, on the 13 July 2022, all Early Years leaders and Headteachers are invited to attend the inaugural trust-wide network meeting. Exciting times ahead in EYFS!

In similar fashion, our primary History & Geography leads are meeting on Monday 27 June.

I think the snippet of these four examples demonstrates our desire to work across the 2-19 phase and ensure that every child in our care benefits from blend and quality of education in which we believe.

Moreover, the manner in which we are working lives-out our value of collaboration.

Finally, we are in-tune with our Strategic plan and associated priorities. Step by step we are embedding a ‘culture of curriculum’.

WeST INSET (non-pupil) days 2022-23

  • Thursday 1 September 2022 (Trust determined INSET)
  • Friday 2 September 2022 (School determined INSET)
  • Monday 31 October 2022 (Trust determined INSET)
  • Tuesday 3 January 2023 (School determined INSET)
  • Monday 20 February 2023 (Trust determined INSET)
  • Monday 17 April 2023 (School determined INSET)

Best wishes, 

Rob Haring, CEO

Sustainability and Climate Change strategy

The DFE has issued its Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy. 

All 22,000 in England are part of a National Education Nature Park. This means we have a unique opportunity to make a massive impact on reducing our impact on the world by reducing our carbon emissions. Schools account for 15% of the public sector emissions. 

WeST is developing a strategy, that will include a programme and action plan to reduce our impact on the planet, as we have no planet B. Watch this space as we look at the big ideas of what we can achieve. Our leadership and decision-making now will be judged by the generations of the future, we want that to be a positive time of reflection and not one of frustration because we did not act.

WeST currently measures our impact from gas, electric, and vehicle usage, however, there is far more to be considered. Such as our supply chain, waste management, procurement, etc.

Although a lot of the plans for the future are Estates related, such as moving away from fossil fuel boilers, more PV for energy from solar, there is also the education of our children. Alongside, all of this is our own behaviours, see more below. 

Currently, the green industry in the UK employs 190,000 staff, this will grow to 440,000 by 2030. The children in our schools will be working on technologies not yet available to us. We cannot wait for these technologies and must act now and do our bit. I have listed below ideas that we can do daily both at work and home and if we all undertake these changes the impact we can have grows.

Not everything is possible by everyone below, however, please do give some thought to what you can do

  • Turn down the thermostat (if everyone in the UK turned down their thermostat by 1C, this would be the same as 3,000,000 people not producing any carbon).
  • External windows and doors are closed when the heating is on
  • Turn off PCs at night and on weekends 
  • Turn lights off, if on a switch. Not having the light on during a bright and sunny day
  • Print on double-sided and black and white not colour (known as greyscale)
  • Car share, use public transport, walk, cycle 
  • Ensure you recycle 
  • Drink tap water and not bottled water
  • Purchase products not in wrappings (such as fruit and veg)
  • Plant wildflowers to support bees and insects
  • Change light fitting to LED (as of September 2023 fluorescent lights will no longer be available for purchase)
  • Eat less meat

Just some ideas to get you thinking about what you can do, if everyone made these changes the impact we can have as an organisation, as a country, and across the world would be significant. In the meantime, WeST are also doing their bit, I will provide further updates over the months ahead. 

Thank you. 

Mark Bullard, Director of Estates 

16 Jun 2022
Deputy/Assistant Headteacher at Sherford Vale School
Westcountry Schools Trust (WeST) is seeking to appoint an exceptional individual with vision, energy and inspirational leadership to the position of Deputy/Assistant Headteacher at Sherford Vale School. 
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We are pleased to announce that the WeST Techscheme is now open!

This is an opportunity for WeST employees to benefit from this salary sacrifice scheme to purchase tech items from the Currys PC World range.

If you are interested please read the FAQ document available on the Staff Portal at https://www.westst.org.uk/staff [username: staff@westst.org.uk; password: west]

Once you are ready to apply please access the Trust scheme at https://www.techscheme.co.uk/5a148ef where you will also find additional information about the scheme.

If you have any questions please contact the HR Team at hr@westst.org.uk

Free Webinar / Recording for WeST Colleagues!

We all have mental health, just as we all have physical health. Both change throughout our lives, and like our bodies, our minds can become unwell. The World Health Organisation describes mental health as ‘a state of wellbeing in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community’.

Mental health issues can affect one in four people at some point in their lives and have a significant impact on our wellbeing.

WeST are pleased to continue working with Able Futures to support staff and offer this free session. If you are unable to attend the live session, registered participants will be provided with a recording.

Please visit this site to register for your place:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1681417584991993613?source=Angela

Hosted an Able Futures Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant, this session will give an understanding of the factors that affect mental health at work and explain mental health first aid and some safeguarding principles for supporting people in distress. We'll outline how Able Futures can support you and how you can plan for wellbeing in your workplace.

Joyful June 

Recruitment update:

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

Westcountry Schools Trust is seeking to appoint a Senior Finance Officer. Initially the post holder will be working with a school business accountant to support 5 primary schools within the trust. This involves the preparation of timely monthly management accounts and other financial reporting, and ensuring financial systems and processes comply with Trust regulations and achieve value for money. For more information, please go here. Closing date: Monday 18 July 2022. 

Glen Park Primary School are seeking to appoint a skilled Higher Level Teaching Assistant to join their very supportive, hardworking and successful team in KS1/2 from September 2022 at Glen Park Primary. Glen Park are looking to appoint an individual who is a team player, able to use their initiative in the classroom and help support PPA release and the delivery of intervention programmes for individual and small groups of children. For more information, please go here. Closing date: noon on Friday 1 July. 

Sherford Vale School are looking for the following vacancies: 

An exceptional individual with vision, energy and inspirational leadership to the position of Deputy/Assistant Headteacher. The Deputy/Assistant Headteacher will be required to support the Headteacher on a day-to-day basis with the leadership of the school and with the delivery of the WeST strategic direction. We are pleased to offer this opportunity for a Deputy or Assistant Headteacher to reflect relevant skills and experience. We are flexible and support development opportunities. We are able to offer a permanent or secondment opportunity. For more information, please go here. Closing date: Monday 4 July. 

A part-time Family Advocate to support the needs of their children and families. Sherford are looking for a candidate, to join their team from September 2022, who has a strong teamwork ethic and who is flexible. The person appointed would need the skills and qualities necessary to demonstrate: a secure level of understanding of Education Welfare Support; SEND needs; Safeguarding policies and procedures; working knowledge of Statutory Regulations and Law and child-centred intervention programmes. For more information, please go here. Closing date: Midday Thursday 30 June 2022. 

Stowford School are looking for the following vacancies: 

An Administrative Assistant to provide administrative and reception support at Stowford School as part of a busy admin team. You will respond to queries from parents, children, visitors and colleagues in person and via email, letter or telephone. Provide advice and information on standard procedures/policies and raise complex matters to senior leaders as appropriate. Closing date: 9am on Monday 4 July. 

Teaching Assistant Vacancies: 

  • Teaching Assistant (Permanent) (Closing date: 9am on Monday 4 July 2022) 
  • Teaching Assistant (Fixed Term to 31/08/2023) (Closing date: 9am on Monday 4 July 2022) 
  • Wraparound Care Assistant: 8.00am – 9.00am Monday to Friday (5 hrs per week) (Closing date: 9am on Monday 4 July 2022) 

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

Plympton St. Maurice Primary School is looking to appoint an Administrative Assistant. As the first point of contact to the school the successful candidate should have excellent communication skills and be able to deal with telephone calls, parents and visitors in a positive, calm and friendly manner. The role is busy and varied and you will need to have the ability to prioritise and work well under pressure.  For more information, please go here. Closing date: 12 noon Friday 25 July. 

Callington Community College are looking for the following vacancies:

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. 

Science Technician - The post holder requires a good standard of practical knowledge and experience and will have some responsibility for resources, such as equipment and materials.  The post may include some administration support and data entry. For more information, please go here. Closing date: 9am Thursday 7 July 2022. 

Minibus Driver - The Minibus Driver represents the public face of Callington Community College. It is important that the post holder therefore conducts themselves in a professional and knowledgeable manner. For more information, please go here. For more information, please go here. Closing date: 9am Monday 11 July 2022. 

Eggbuckland Community College are looking for the following vacancies:

Apprentice Careers Support Administrator, to work in their Post 16 office, on a fixed term contract for 18 months from September 2022 until 31 December 2023. Hours of working will be from 8.30am to 3.05pm Monday to Friday (35 mins unpaid break), including 20% development time to attend training, etc. Closing date: 9am, Monday 4 July 2022. 

College Minibus Driver for a 15-seat minibus, from September 2022 on a fixed term contract until 31 August 2023. Hours of working will be for 2.5 hours mornings and 1.5 hours afternoons, Monday to Friday.  Job share will be considered. Duties include fuelling, safety checks, cleaning before and after use, cover for emergencies. Relevant D1 category licence is required and Driver CPC qualification preferred, but not essential as training can be provided. Closing date: 9am, Monday 4 July 2022. 

Catering Assistant to work as part of the catering team, assisting with the preparation and service of food in a hygienic environment. Hours of working from 9am to 2.30pm, with 30 minutes unpaid break. Duties include customer service, operation of cashless catering system and cleaning routines in the kitchen. Closing date: 9am, Wednesday 29 June 2022. 

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

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) 
  • Science Technician (Closing date: 8am, Monday 27 June 2022) 
  • Deputy Examination Officer (Closing Date: 9am Monday 27 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. 

South Dartmoor Community College is seeking to appoint a Reading Lead & Library Co-ordinator. The successful candidate will be hardworking, self-motivated and enjoy working in a team as well as under their own initiative. Previous experience within this area would be advantageous. You will be a committed and loyal individual; with high expectations and an unwavering determination to get the best for students. For more information, please go here. Closing Date: Monday 4 July 2022 at 8am.