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HR Update

IMPORTANT INFORMATION RELATED TO NOVEMBER PAY:

Pay Awards – IMPORTANT implications for support staff in receipt of Universal Credit

As highlighted by last week’s edition of the Whistle, the Trust will be implementing the 2022 pay award for support staff this month in November pay, backdated to 1 April 2022.

It has come to our attention that the issue of support staff in receipt of Universal Credit (UC) suffering financial penalties through the payment of the backpay element of the NJC pay award has been raised with Ministers at the Department for Education. If you are affected, or likely to be affected by this issue the advice is to speak with your Universal Credit Work Coach via your online account or call the Universal Credit Helpline on 0800 328 5644.

November payslips (all staff):

Because of the backdated application of pay awards this month you may notice more detail than usual is included on your payslip. This is because retrospective implementation results in a recalculation of all payroll-related activity within the back-date period and this month’s payslip will reference any relevant calculations (not just those within the month of November). Your local teams are aware of this and should be able to assist with any exceptional and specific queries, otherwise, please be assured that the inclusion of this information is entirely normal and should not be a matter for concern.

The HR Team

Are you a WeST colleague and interested in some additional temporary work? We have a number of opportunities for short term additional hours in our schools due to exceptional circumstances. We are particularly looking for support staff colleagues with skills in operational roles such as: receptionist, administration, and first aider. These roles are during the school day so you will need to be able to commit to one or more days per week and they are likely to be temporary to the end of term. They will be paid at NJC rates on a casual claim basis. Full details can be explored but in the first instance you should contact your local senior administrator / office manager / business manager who will liaise with WeST HR.

WeST continues to support staff wellbeing and is pleased to offer staff access to flu jab vaccinations this autumn.

So far we have issued 228 flu jab vaccination vouchers to staff members across the WeST network!

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.

Path 1: NHS free flu jab

Available to:

· people aged 50 years old or over (including those who will be 50 years old by 31 March 2023)

· have certain health conditions

· are pregnant

· receive a carer's allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick

· live with someone who is more likely to get a severe infection due to a weakened immune system

· are in long-stay residential care

· are frontline health workers

· are social care workers

More information on the importance of getting a flu vaccination & eligibility is available from NHS Free Flu Jab Eligibility

Path 2: WeST Flu Jab Voucher for Boots

Available if:

· You are NOT eligible for NHS Free Flu Jab

Vouchers can be sent directly to you via email or text message. 

Vouchers are provided at no cost to staff members.

Vouchers are redeemable at any participating Boots Pharmacy, click here for details: Store Locator

To request a voucher please visit: Request Form. 

 

Discounts for ALL Trust colleagues (teachers, support staff, everyone in WeST!)

Did you know that all education staff can access the Discounts for Techers service?!

Online at: https://www.discountsforteachers.co.uk/

All WeST colleagues are eligible to sign up for FREE to the Discounts For Teachers service online to get access to hundreds of exclusive discounts with online retailers. They have a number of exclusive offers running in recognition of the current circumstances and to reward key workers. A number of large retailers take part, including Currys, Argos, Clarks, WH Smith, and Early Learning Centre. Plus a number of restaurants and more! Please share with all colleagues to access this fantastic opportunity.

VAWG Activism

Female rights activist, Mel Sevieri, is the Sixth Form administrator at Eggbuckland Community College. One of the reasons she enjoys her role so much is due to being able to educate young people on the importance of combatting violence against women and girls. She has delivered presentations on Feminism and VAWG to students between Year 10 and 13 at ECC and hopes to be able to increase this to more schools within West.

Outside of work, she is heavily involved in the women’s rights movement in Plymouth. Since the awful news about Bobbi-Anne McLeod, she has helped organise protests across the city, from ending violence against women and girls to showing solidarity with American women regarding the abortion laws. Her Plymouth VAWG Gala was held in May 2022 and raised £10,000 for Trevi Women and First Light, two women’s charities in Plymouth. She was able to involve Dawn French (who’s Mum founded Trevi Women) and gave a presentation for the event. MP Luke Pollard also attended and delivered a speech showing his support for the cause. The Plymouth VAWG commission report was released to coincide with the gala and counsellor Rebecca Smith spoke about its findings on the night.

Since the gala, Mel has given speeches and workshops around Plymouth about her activism work and the importance of speaking about the issues women face and being involved in the change, from The Box to the Crowne Plaza.  She has met with various counsellors across the city to discuss the next steps for women’s safety. She was also nominated for the Pride of Britain and Westcountry Women’s Awards and became a Trevi Women ‘Shero’.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence begins on 25 November 2022, which is also International Elimination of VAWG Day. Mel will be giving the Sixth Form tutors at ECC a presentation to deliver to their tutees to highlight the importance of this. On Saturday 26 November, she will be organising a march to remember Bobbi-Anne McLeod and how hard the women of Plymouth have fought in the last year for their safety. The march will begin at 1pm at the Sundial in the city centre. There are lots of events happening across Plymouth during the 16 days, which end on 10 December. If you’d like to get involved, please email Mel: msevieri@eggbuckland.com

New Ways November 

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Recruitment update:

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

Callington Community College are looking to fill 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. You should be capable of developing excellent relationships with the students and therefore a proven record of successfully working with young people is essential. Closing date: Monday 21 November 2022. 

SEND Administrator - Callington are seeking to appoint a dedicated and enthusiastic professional who has outstanding communication and office skills. They should enjoy working as part of a team of enthusiastic staff and have a genuine care for students’ interests. Experience of having worked in a school setting would be a desirable although not essential requirement for the post. Closing date: Monday 21 November 2022. 

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

Coombe Dean are seeking to recruit an outstanding individual to join their team with a focus as a Learning Mentor for specific students in English. The focus is on supporting individuals and small groups of students from Year 7 to Year 11 with catching up on work in English. You will work closely with the English department. For more information, please click here. Closing date: Monday 21 November 2022. 

Hele's School are seeking to appoint Learning Support Assistants. You will work under the direct instruction of teaching/senior staff, usually in the classroom with the teacher, to support access to learning for students and provide general support to the teacher in the management of students and the classroom. For more information, please click here. Closing Date: Tuesday 22 November 2022. 

Ivybridge Community College are looking to fill the following vacancies: 

Examinations Administrator - The post holder will be responsible for providing a comprehensive administrative and clerical support service across a variety of administrative tasks and functions. Closing date: Monday 21 November 2022.

Casual Examinations Invigilator - Hours of work are by negotiation, to cover examination sessions throughout the year. The ability to work at least three days a week during the peak times in May and June. Full day, morning (start 8.30am) and afternoon sessions are offered. Closing date: Monday 21 November 2022.

Sixth Form Administrator and Study Supervisor - The main role of the post holder will be to provide a high quality administrative and clerical support service across a variety of administrative tasks and functions and to provide supervision of the Sixth Form Study Space to support learning. Closing date: Thursday 24 November 2022.

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

Oreston Community Academy are looking to fill the following vacancies:

A Teaching Assistant to become a member of their friendly and supportive school team. This role will include working in a Key Stage 2 class supporting the needs of all children and delivering learning to small groups. Closing date: Monday 21 November 2022. 

Class Teacher - You will be a highly effective, creative teacher committed to raising educational standards and promoting personal development for all children. Closing date: Friday 25 November. 

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

Plymstock School are seeking to appoint a Sixth Form Administrator. Plymstock are seeking an organised and enthusiastic individual to provide confidential management and administrative support for the day-to-day operation and planning for the Sixth Form, including support to teachers in raising standards of teaching and learning along with accurate and professional clerical support. For more information, please click here. Closing Date: Friday 2 December 2022. 

South Dartmoor Community College are looking to fill the following vacancies: 

Examination Invigilators - The successful candidates 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. Closing Date: On-going. 

Teaching Assistant - 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. 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: Monday 21 November 2022. 

Teacher of English - The successful candidate must be able to deliver the curriculum to a high level, across the subject, and will work closely with the English team. The successful candidate will be a hard-working individual; a teacher with high expectations and an unwavering determination to get the best outcomes for students. Closing Date: Thursday 01 December 2022.

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

Yealmpton Primary School is seeking to appoint an inspirational, enthusiastic and highly motivated teacher to join their dedicated Team, and support their continued drive for excellence in every aspect of school life. This will be an exciting opportunity for a current or aspiring SENCo who is ready to take an exciting new challenge in their career. For more information, please click here. Closing date: Sunday 27 November 2022. 

Westcountry Schools Trust is seeking to appoint dedicated and enthusiastic individuals for the role of Hub Advisory Board (HAB) Administrator. This role will be responsible for providing a high standard of administrative support across the Trust HABs and supporting the development and implementation of HAB services compliant with relevant governance regulations. For more information, please click here. Closing date: Ongoing. 

Are you a WeST colleague and interested in some additional temporary work? We have a number of opportunities for short term additional hours in our schools due to exceptional circumstances. We are particularly looking for support staff colleagues with skills in operational roles such as: receptionist, administration, and first aider. These roles are during the school day so you will need to be able to commit to one or more days per week and they are likely to be temporary to the end of term. They will be paid at NJC rates on a casual claim basis. Full details can be explored but in the first instance you should contact your local senior administrator / office manager / business manager who will liaise with WeST HR.