Welcome back to the second half of the autumn term. I hope that everyone managed to find some time to rest, relax and recharge their emotional and physical batteries despite the intermittent and dreadful rain!

As we return to school we once again find ourselves plunged into a VUCA environment – volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. We will, as before, pull together and navigate our way through the weeks ahead.

We will interpret the national situation, use the published guidance and draw on our own toolkit  to ensure that we do all we can to remain safe whilst keeping our schools open and preserving some sense of normal curriculum delivery.

As before we will call on our collective professional expertise and move forward with a degree of WeST unity.

We must acknowledge that the spread of infection in the SW region is rapidly rising. I therefore ask that;

  • We actively promote and follow the published system of controls with an explicit adherence to hands – face – space!
  • Maintain a super vigilant eye on our most vulnerable children – whether they are in school or at home.

Unlike the experience of March, we now have prior experience from which we have learnt and as such we are better prepared. I don’t hint that this is going to be easy, rather that we are going to be less taken by surprise and are far more familiar with how to stay safe within our new routines. We are also more confident with our remote learning offer should the need arise.

I wish everyone a successful return and know that by working together and supporting each other, the coming weeks will pass in a speedy fashion.

Thank you for your continued support.

Take care & best wishes,

Rob Haring – CEO

Free wellbeing support for school leaders

We know that in these challenging times many school leaders are feeling stressed, exhausted and overwhelmed. A reminder that Education Support, the UK’s only charity dedicated to education staff mental health and wellbeing, is now offering an online supported space for school leaders. For further information and to apply for your free space, visit their website here.

Morrisons offers school, nursery and college staff 10% off all groceries - as of Monday 2 November, all teachers and staff at schools, nurseries and colleges will be able to claim a 10% discount on their shopping in Morrisons stores nationwide. Primary, secondary, private and special educational school teachers can all claim the discount, as well as all teaching assistants, catering staff, caretakers, cleaners, and school office staff, and those working at private nurseries and colleges.

Lasting until after Christmas, the special discount is a thank you to half a million teachers and additional school staff who are looking after the nation’s children and supporting them through the Covid-19 pandemic.

Details of the offer and terms and conditions are available here.

Recruitment update:

We are delighted to inform you that there are a number of exciting career opportunities within our Trust as follows:-

Within the Trust Core Services Team we are looking to appoint an Executive Director of Mathematics. This is a new role that will promote and implement strategies for raising attainment and progress in Mathematics predominantly across all WeST secondary schools, but also promoting cross-phase alignment/approach. Working in partnership with the School Improvement Team, Headteachers and Mathematics Subject Leaders, the role involves both strategic leadership of subject development across the trust, alongside day to day support of Mathematics departments. For more information please click here.

South Dartmoor Community College & Atrium Studio School are looking to recruit a Deputy SENDCo. This position is full-time / permanent: Monday – Friday 8.15am - 4.15pm (35 hours per week, 39 weeks per year). Salary pay scale - Grade E. To view the full advert please click on this link or visit the school's website here.

Plymstock School have the following vacancies:-

  • Teacher of Science 0.6FTE (maternity cover) – required from January 2021 (closing date tomorrow - 9am Thursday 5 November 2020)
  • Science Technician – required as soon as possible (closing date 12noon on Wednesday 18 November 2020)

For more information please visit: https://plymstockschool.org.uk/vacancies/

Hele's School have a vacancy for a Departmental Resources Assistant who will join the team in the Reprographics department – 37 hours pw x 38 weeks pa (term time)/Permanent.  Salary - Grade C - Actual salary £16,114 (pro rata of £19,312). If you are interested in this position, please visit: www.heles.plymouth.sch.uk (the closing date is 9am, Friday 13 November 2020).

Boringdon Primary School have a vacancy for an Administrator - Part Time Permanent, Salary/Grade: NJC Grade C. Starting January 2021 - 23.25 hours per week (term time only 39 weeks per year). The closing date is 12 noon on Thursday 12 November 2020). For more information please visit: https://www.boringdon.plymouth.sch.uk/web/vacancies/399137
 

Staff Survey 

Thank you to everyone who participated in the recent whole Trust staff survey!

We are pleased to confirm a 34% response rate from 672 colleagues and over 1200 comments to share feedback with the Executive Team and Senior Leaders.

With so many responses we are working through a detailed analysis and action plan, however below is a summary of the key information gathered for your review:-

  • Question 1: I am receiving timely and useful information about how the Trust and School are planning and managing efforts in the ongoing circumstances.
    69% of the respondents agree or strongly agree which is a majority representation.
     
  • Question 2: I have the resources I need to fulfil my role.
    64% of the respondents agree or strongly agree and will be further explored in the themes of free text comments.
     
  • Question 3: I feel supported by the school in balancing my work and personal responsibilities.
    58% of the respondents agree or strongly agree. This is a particular area we hope to explore further in the action plan and next steps to support colleagues.
     
  • Question 4: I have the support I need to maintain my mental health and well-being.
    54% of the respondents agree or strongly agree. As with the above question, this will be explored in the action plan and next steps to support colleagues.
     
  • Question 5: I have sufficient meaningful contact with my line manager to support me.
    69% of the respondents agree or strongly agree.
     
  • Question 6: I have confidence in the Trust’s/school’s approach in managing successfully through the autumn and spring term.
    68% of the respondents agree or strongly agree. This will be explored in the review of the WeST schools COVID response toolkits.
     
  • Question 7: What support and/or training do you think would be most useful to support you?
    Please see graph of responses:

Each of the 72 ‘Other’ comments have been reviewed and key themes identified.

  • Question 8: Is there anything else you think the Trust or school could realistically be doing to support your work and wellbeing at this time?
    As this was an optional free text field with 301 responses, a range of comments covering a range of themes were provided. Each comment is currently being reviewed and key trends are being identified.
     
  • Question 9: What are the biggest challenges you anticipate you will have in supporting the needs of pupils over the remainder of this term?
    As this was an optional free text field with 377 responses, a range of comments covering a range of themes were provided. Each comment is currently being reviewed and key trends are being identified.

Following the main survey questions, 171 respondents agreed to participate in the optional additional 4 questions with a further 543 comments provided.

The Executive Team and senior leaders are reviewing the full survey details and further information will be shared in future Whistle articles along with a copy of the action plan for next steps.

Thank you to everyone who shared their feedback. Your comments and input are invaluable in helping to shape our future services and delivery.

Director of Inclusion Update

1) Teaching Schools South West: Mental Health Awareness Week (recordings)

Hopefully some of you will have already had an opportunity to access either live, or via recordings, the range of wellbeing webinars that were organised in the run-up to half-term. If you were not able to access them, or were simply too tired (!) or had too much choice to view as many as you wanted they are now available on their website here.

2) WeST Mindfulness

Thank you to all of you who responded to the online survey I put out last half-term. I have now set-up an MS Teams channel as a vehicle for colleagues across WeST to connect and share resources. If you would like to be part of this community please email me (rwoodland@westst.org.uk) and I will add you to the group. I hope to organise our first online practice/sit very soon and also hope to offer the 8-week .B Foundations introduction to Mindfulness course at minimal cost later this year. 

Richard Woodland, Director of Inclusion

Payroll Provider Update – DELT

As you may recall, WeST works with three payroll providers. The following schools who are supported by DELT Shared Services payroll system include:

  • Ashburton Primary School
  • The Atrium
  • Boringdon Primary School
  • Buckfastleigh Primary School
  • Chaddlewood Primary School
  • Dunstone Primary School
  • Glen Park Primary School
  • Oreston Community Academy
  • Plympton St Maurice Primary School 
  • South Dartmoor Community College
  • Woodford Primary School

DELT have been preparing to change the current system to a new system, known as Core HR following extensive testing and parallel runs, and the launch day is set for 9th November 2020. Staff members at these sites will receive details of individual user accounts to their workplace email address along with full instructions on the required multi-factor authentication (which requires a personal mobile number). WeST has been working alongside DELT for the preparations and are looking forward to seeing the new system launch.

The new system will enable staff to access their payslips online from November payroll onwards. Staff will also be able to review and update their personal information such as: address, contact details, bank details. However to ensure all systems run smoothly, it is essential that any changes to such personal records are also communicated locally at the school to update other systems which require this information, such as SIMs, and maintain accurate employment records.

DELT have provided a range of supporting training materials and guides which are available online at: https://deltservices.com/corehr-training-support/

The system web address can be accessed by clicking here

Should you have any queries regarding the system please liaise with your local senior school administrator / business manager in the first instance or alternatively contact DELT to raise a system query.

WeST Modern Slavery Statement

You may recall that WeST recently launched the 2020 Modern Slavery Statement. The full statement is available on the public website (click here) and sets out our commitment to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in our education arms, business units, and supply chains. This forms part of the Trust’s responsibilities under Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Modern Slavery is a serious and often hidden crime in which people are exploited for criminal gain. The impact can be devastating for the victims. Modern slavery comprises slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour and human trafficking. In addition a range of resources and information is available from Gov.UK – click here.

The WeST Modern Slavery Statement focuses on key areas that as a Trust we can ensure best practice, including:

  • Due diligence in our supply chains
  • Due diligence as an employer
  • Training and Policies

Further Steps

During the next financial year, the Trust will seek to further develop our commitment to resolving modern slavery issues as follows:

  • In the coming year our whistleblowing policy will be reviewed to ensure reference to the legislation and add clarification of how to draw attention to how to report concerns relating to modern slavery. This policy was due to be reviewed in the previous year however the review was delayed by the COVID-19 circumstances.
  • We will continue to develop effective communications with our suppliers to confirm their understanding and compliance in line with our expectations.
  • We will seek to develop internal audits and reviews of our control systems and procedures to ensure best practice and that they are effective in countering modern slavery.
  • We will implement specific training on modern slavery risks for relevant groups of staff. This was due to be implemented in the previous year however was delayed by the COVID-19 circumstances and will be explored in the coming year.

Please take a moment to review the statement and consider the impact in daily operations you are involved in. If you would like to discuss further, please liaise with the HR Team directly on email: hr@westst.org.uk.

Cycle to Work Scheme

Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the Cycle to Work survey earlier this term. Your feedback has been collated and is being considered to ensure that appropriate preparations are made to ensure it is a success for those who wish to take part.

Once scheme arrangements have been finalised we will publish details of how to apply in the Wednesday Whistle so if you are interested  please keep an eye on future editions.

In the meantime if you have any questions please email the WeST HR Team at hr@westst.org.uk or alternatively further information is available within the FAQ document here.

Stay safe!