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I open this week’s ‘Whistle’ with a well-known idiom, first attributed to Geoffrey Chaucer; ‘all good things come to an end’. In a relatively short period of time Bradley Simmons has made a considerable impact on our work and contributed significantly to the launch and formation of WeST 4.0. Bradley, though, for specific personal reasons, will be leaving WeST at the end of the Autumn Term. As such we will now embark on a phase of transition towards the Spring Term.

You will be aware that Bradley has been spearheading the transition in our governance arrangements from local governing boards to hub advisory boards. He has steered the public consultation, and took this work for approval to Trust Board. We are at the stage when we are receiving applications for membership of the hub boards, and I have asked Richard Woodland, who is already a member of the governance project board to take over leadership of the closing stages of the transition. Since Richard Light took over responsibility for the Learning Institute, Bradley has been lead director for our primary schools. Sue Costello will now undertake his role. I am deeply appreciative of the work Bradley has done to codify our school improvement offer, and the support he has given, especially for MFL and Reading in the secondary phase. He will continue to work with us through the Autumn Term on school reviews and mini-audits, curriculum development, as well as supporting MFL.

Further to my mention of Bradley’s work in leading our transitional governance arrangements, I’m reaching out here to ask you to support our final drive to recruit Hub Advisory Board members. We have slightly extended the deadline for applications as a consequence of the period of National Mourning. Many of you will know terrific people who would make a positive contribution to our new Hub Advisory Boards. So, please do sign post this opportunity and ‘nudge’ them to apply.

I’m pleased to again mention two current Headship recruitment opportunities at Oreston Community Academy and Yealmpton Primary School. Do visit our website for further details.

As the month of September comes to a close I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the abundance of professional learning opportunities that have already presented themselves. A golden moment for me has been the evolution of our professional community of practice for early reading and specifically RWI.

Best wishes, 

Rob Haring, CEO

Closing on Sunday —Starter Experience Survey

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

Thank you to those of you who have taken a few minutes out of your busy days to complete our anonymous survey.

As part of the Trusts 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 also how your initial first couple of weeks have gone. 

If you are a new starter with the Trust and have not completed our starter experience survey yet, it continues to be available here or via the QR code until midnight on Sunday.  

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.

Thank you.

Estates Update on Summer Works

Over the summer the Estates Central Team and the premises staff in schools take the opportunity to invest in our buildings through capital investment. This summer 42 projects have been delivered with a total spend of £1.7M. Most of these are projects that are not visible such as fire alarm and electrical upgrades, roof replacements and underground drainage system improvements. Other projects are more visible such as science lab upgrades, new external windows and doors installed and fencing to improve safeguarding and security. There are further projects to be delivered over October half-term and other holidays across the academic year.

Over the next few weeks, I will share with you the projects we have undertaken.

Today's project is: 

Roof Projects

In total, we completed 9 roofs across 3 sites at Wembury, Ivybridge and Heles, totalling an area of 1822m2 at a value of £375,000. All roofs were subject to excessive defects including ponding, poor performance and high saturation levels which were causing significant risks to the internal environments.

The 8 flat roofs that were completed consisted of a bituminous waterproofing system which has seen great improvements to the insulation/thermal performance also receiving improved drainage and removal of high level unsafe access. One roof also saw some significant structural remedials due to a high level of decay in the deck, which had the potential to cause some serious internal defects.

The pitched roof we undertook received a new clad composite system and has received new rainwater goods, fascias and soffits to greatly improve the environment.

The projects were all completed within budget and programme apart from a few minor snagging items and the finish that has been achieved is of the highest level with a 25-year warranty received.

Pay Your Pension Some Attention campaign postponed

We told you about "Pay your pension some attention” campaign in our August Pensions Line Special.

Following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Pension Awareness decided to postpone the live shows as a mark of respect. The events were due to take place from Monday 12 to Friday 16 September but have now been rescheduled for Monday 31 October to Friday 4 November 2022.

More details can be found on their website.

Please share the Pay Your Pension Some Attention and the Retiring from active status webpages with your members. 

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16 Sep 2022
Head Teacher at Yealmpton Primary School
Westcountry Schools Trust (WeST) is seeking to appoint an exceptional individual with vision, energy and inspirational leadership to the position of Head Teacher at Yealmpton Primary School.
Read more
16 Sep 2022
Head Teacher at Oreston Community Academy
Westcountry Schools Trust (WeST) is seeking to appoint an exceptional individual with vision, energy and inspirational leadership to the position of Head Teacher at Oreston Community Academy.
Read more
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Recruitment update:

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

Westcountry Schools Trust are seeking a number of Headteacher opportunities: 

  • Head Teacher for Oreston Community Academy
  • Headteacher for Yealmpton Primary School

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

Westcountry Schools Trust is seeking to appoint an HR Administrator to support the HR provision of The Learning Institute and Arena Sports Partnership. The HR Administrator will be working in a fast-paced environment undertaking the full range of contractual administrative and payroll/pension-related tasks. For more information, please go here. Closing date: noon on Monday 3 October 2022. 

Callington Community College are looking for the following vacancies: 

Teaching Assistant - This could involve facilitating student’s emotional regulation; working with those on the autistic spectrum or supporting students with low levels of Literacy and Numeracy to access the secondary curriculum. Closing date: Friday 14 October 2022. 

Reading tutor - You will be a hard-working individual; with high expectations and an unwavering determination to get the best outcomes for students. Closing date: Friday 14 October 2022. 

1:1 Teaching Assistant - The role involves supporting an individual student on a 1:1 basis. This could involve facilitating student’s emotional regulation; working with those on the autistic spectrum or supporting students with low levels of Literacy and Numeracy to access the secondary curriculum. Closing date: Friday 14 October 2022.

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

Coombe Dean School are looking for the following vacancies:

An exceptional Assistant Headteacher to join the Senior Leadership Team of five. This includes a Senior Deputy Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher and two Assistant Headteachers. The specific roles and responsibilities of the successful candidate will be determined once appointed. For more information, please go here. Closing date: Friday 30 September 2022. 

Ivybridge Community College are looking to appoint two exceptional individuals to join their team as Teaching Assistants with responsibility for literacy diagnostic testing and running small-group interventions. The post holder will work under supervision and direction of the Senior Literacy Teaching Assistant, usually outside the classroom - working with students who need support to fill gaps in literacy and reading. For more information, please go here. Closing date: 9am on Thursday 6 October 2022.

Morley Meadow Primary is seeking to appoint an inspirational, enthusiastic and highly motivated Deputy Headteacher to join their dedicated Senior Leadership Team, and support their continued drive for excellence in every aspect of school life. This will be an exciting opportunity for a current SENCo who is ready to take the next step in their career. The Deputy Head Teacher will be required to support the Head Teacher in the day-to day leadership of the school and continue to promote the high standards that were highlighted in our recent Ofsted inspection (January 2022). For more information, pleased go here. Closing date: 9am on Monday 3 October 2022. 

Plymstock School are looking for a Sports Centre Leisure Assistant to assist the Sports Centre Manager in providing a safe, clean, friendly, customer focussed provision that enables the Sports Centre to be organised in an economic, efficient and effective manner. For more information, please go here. Closing date: 9am on Monday 3 October 2022. 

South Dartmoor Community College are looking for the following vacancies: 

 A Finance Officer who will oversee purchase and sales ledger activity within the College and ensure that financial systems and processes comply with Trust regulations and achieve value for money. They will provide a specific support service across a broad range of financial activities ensuring confidentiality associated with financial support services is maintained. Closing date: Friday 30 September 2022 at 8.00 am. 

An experienced, confident and enthusiastic teaching assistant who shares their passion, vision and drive, and who is prepared to go that extra mile to support their students. You would be joining a committed team of teaching assistants who play an important role across both schools. The role involves supporting students with Special Educational Needs within the classroom. Closing Date: Thursday 29 September 2022. 

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