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Welcome back to the new calendar year and Spring Term. I hope everyone enjoyed the festive break and had an opportunity to rest and recharge with family and friends.

We continue to pursue our key priorities. Of particular note will be our activity within our People & Partners strand, specifically on recruitment. The coming weeks will see us appoint to a variety of leadership roles including both primary and secondary headships.

It is fantastic to see our internal talent develop; I was privileged to meet several of our Initial Teacher Trainees at a recent recruitment event.

I’m pleased to signpost here the opportunity to engage in professional learning through engagement in a NPQ. If this is of interest please do talk to your respective Headteacher. The current application round closes on 9 January 2023.

Further good news is the notification that Callington Community College’s bid for a new a capital build programme was successful. We now await the details! In our primary phase we remain very hopeful of the construction of the second teaching wing at Sherford Vale School commencing in late February.

Best wishes,

Rob Haring, CEO 

HR Update

New Staff Code of Conduct

WeST has revised its staff Code of Conduct and schools/business units will be embarking on local processes to ensure that all staff can confirm they have read and understand the updated version. The Code of Conduct is designed to give clear guidance on the standards we are all expected to observe. As employees working in Westcountry Schools Trust we are role models, in a position of influence and must demonstrate behaviour that sets a good example to our students.  As a member of a school community, we all have an individual responsibility to maintain our own and the Trust’s reputation, whether inside or outside working hours. A copy of the Code of Conduct can be found here for information.

Low Level Concerns Policy – updated – requires signposting to staff

Please also find here an updated Low Level Concerns Policy. This policy sets out a framework whereby all staff are expected to report concerns, no matter how small, about their own behaviour or that of another member of staff, volunteer, supply teacher, contractor or other person working at a WeST school or site. Its purpose is to help create and embed a culture of openness, trust and transparency in which the clear values and expected behaviour set out in the WeST Child Protection and Safeguarding policy are lived, monitored, and reinforced.

Both documents are also available via the WeST staff portal.

A big welcome to all of our new starters

The new term has brought new faces to the schools and business units across the Trust.  We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you all to WeST and hope you are beginning to settle in.

As part of the Trust 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 your initial first couple of weeks.

We would therefore appreciate it if you would spend a few minutes completing the anonymous form that can be found here by 5 February.  Please also look out for an email with the link later this month if it is easier for you to access from there.

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.

Communication

Feedback from the staff survey identified some positives about the format and details within our communications. However, we also recognise there was feedback about access and frequency of communication.

Following on from the feedback we will be working hard to ensure you have access to important Trust news and updates by promoting the staff portal and Whistle. We will also review the frequency of communications, to ensure clarity and help with workload.

Key information for all colleagues is available via the Weekly Whistle newsletter, which is issued via email to all staff and available online.

Information, documents, policies, and resources are available on the Staff Portal as an exclusive area for WeST colleagues.

The latest Erasmus + Natural Schooling Curriculum Innovation Project transnational event was held at Restormel Wave academy St Austell in December. WeST is heading up this 3-year project, which is in its final year. Day 1 started with a warm Cornish welcome to our partners from Spain and Sweden.  Guest speaker Ellie Baker, Wave academy Head of Psychological Health and Wellbeing delivered training on the physiological changes and mental health and well-being aspects of being in nature and the benefits of adopting a natural schooling approach, followed by a presentation led by Wave partners Tatjana & Emma demonstrating how barriers to curriculum innovation (foraging for wild garlic, mint and art using natural materials) within a specialist provision can be managed overcome with determined staffing and adaptable reactive planning and delivery. A project management meeting focussing on the outputs took place after lunch. Saffron cake, yeast cake (and fruit) on arrival and pasties for lunch! Day 2 took place in the woods used by the Wave academy with species identification, mindfulness and ‘soft fascination’ experiences followed by more project management time to work on the outputs back at the teaching base. Erasmus+ Natural Schooling transnational day 3 was a cultural day with our hosts from Restormel Wave Academy and partners from WeST The Learning Institute and Sweden. This included a visit to Heligan gardens and evening live music with Will Keating at the Smugglers Den (16th century inn) at Cubert. 

For more information about the project, or to join the Natural Schooling RIG, contact debbie.lambert@learninginstitute.co.uk

#naturalschooling

WeST continues to offer a employee assistance programme for all colleagues. As part of the service a range of free webinar sessions are available. Including:

‘2023 Financial wellbeing with PayPlan’

A webinar to introduce PayPlan, one of the UKs leading free debt advice organisations offering confidential advice and personalised debt solutions.

Friday 13 January 2023, 12pm—1pm.

To register for the webinar, use this link:

https://www.register.gotowebinar.com/register/8629851689715164000

 Recordings of the session will be available for those who have registered but are unable to attend live.

Please be assured that registrant information is held confidentially and the Trust is not notified of your attendance/non-attendance to these webinars.

Please be aware software ‘GoToWebinar’ is needed to join/view these webinars. 

NOW OPEN TO ALL TRUST STAFF MEMBERS, REGARDLESS OF ELIGIBILITY STATUS

WeST continues to support staff wellbeing and is pleased to offer staff access to flu jab vaccinations this autumn. All staff are encouraged to take up the offer of a flu jab.

There are a VERY LIMITED number of vouchers remaining and these are now being offered to all staff members, regardless of eligibility.

Vouchers can be sent directly to you via email or text message and are provided at no cost to staff members. Vouchers redeemable until 31 January 2023, on a first come first served basis.

Vouchers are redeemable at any participating Boots Pharmacy, click here for details: Store Locator (www.boots.com/store-locator)

To request a voucher please visit: Request Form or scan the QR code above

Become a safety rep and make your workplace safer

Health and safety representatives care about workers’ safety and campaign for better working conditions. As a UNISON health and safety representative, you can play a vital role in keeping our members healthy and happy at work.

As a UNISON health and safety rep you can:

  • Investigate potential hazards
  • Consult members on working conditions
  • Lobby your employer to improve safety
  • Support members with complaints about safety
  • Recruit new members
  • Identify members who could become more involved in health and safety issues

To find out more please see our “Be on the safe side” leaflet which is available at https://www.unison.org.uk/content/uploads/2020/06/26101.pdf or contact the Plymouth in UNISON Branch office on 01752 692260 or via email at office@plymouthinunison.org.uk

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06 Jan 2023
Headteacher of Plymstock School
Westcountry Schools Trust (WeST) is seeking to appoint an exceptional individual with vision, energy and inspirational leadership to the position of Headteacher at Plymstock School. 
Read more

Free Wellbeing Webinar Sessions!

WeST are continuing to work alongside Able Futures to support staff wellbeing and are pleased to bring details of new free webinar sessions. Please click the following links to register your interest. If you are unable to access the live session, the registered participants will be provided with a recording of the information.

It's completely confidential to you as WeST will not be informed of any participant details.

We hope you find these sessions of interest and value as part of our ongoing commitment to developing a culture of wellbeing at work. Details of other resources are available on the staff portal.

23 January: Starting the new year with a focus on your mental health at work

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1562305296227145051?source=Will

13 February: Relationships at work

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3101732625805428317?source=Will

13 March: Sleep and mental health at work

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5538391130446229077?source=Will

3 April: Hardwiring positivity

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1590008591218919262?source=Will

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Recruitment update:

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

Buckfastleigh Primary School are seeking to appoint a Family support Advisor. The Family Support Advisor will be a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead and will work closely with the Head Teacher in each school who is the Designated Safeguarding Lead. The FSA will work closely with all staff within Ashburton Primary School and Buckfasleigh Primary School, to promote the welfare of children and families. For more information, please click here. Closing date: Wednesday 11 January 2023. 

Hele's School are looking to fill the following vacancies:

Teacher of IT and Computing - The successful candidate will have a proven record of delivering excellent outcomes for students. This post represents a fantastic opportunity for the successful applicant to play a role in the school improvement journey and their quest for excellence in every measure. Closing Date: Thursday 19 January 2023. 

Teacher of Maths - The successful candidate will have a proven record of delivering excellent outcomes for students. This post represents a fantastic opportunity for the successful applicant to play a role in our school improvement journey and our quest for excellence in every measure. Closing Date: Thursday 12 January 2023. 

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

Ivybridge Community College are seeking to appoint a Director of Science. The successful candidate will join an able, hard-working and highly committed team of professionals in a well-resourced department. Our ethos is to teach well-planned, varied and enjoyable lessons in the context of positive working relationships with all of the students. For more information, please click here. Closing date: Monday 9 January 2023.

Oreston Community Academy are looking to fill the following vacancies:

Caretaker - The school is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic, conscientious, and self-motivated Site Caretaker to provide a key role in maintaining their school site, ensuring a welcoming and safe environment for the whole school community. Closing date: 20 January 2023. 

Catering Assistant and Meal Time Assistant - Total Hours: Monday – Friday 9.15am – 2.45pm. This role will include working in their kitchen, assisting the Enterprise Manager with the provision and service of school meals. It will also include working in the hall at lunchtimes under the direct management of the Enterprise Manager. Closing date: 16 January 2023. 

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

Sherford Vale School currently has a vacancy for an apprentice Nursery Worker which will be supported by a recognised qualification through the Westcountry Learning Institute. The role is to work with children (2-4 years old) to provide a high standard of education and social development as well as provide a high quality of care. This opportunity would be suitable for someone looking to develop a career within nursery practice and enhance their skills. For more information, please click here. Closing date: Wednesday 11 January 2023. 

South Dartmoor Community College is seeking to appoint a Library & Reading 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 click here. Closing date: On-going. 

Westcountry Schools Trust are looking to fill the following vacancies: 

Attendance Manager/Assistant Data Protection Officer - This newly created role will work under the strategic direction of the Education Information Analyst/Data Protection Officer to support the work of the school improvement team, with specific a responsibility and focus on school and pupil-level attendance information. Closing date: Monday 16 January 2023. 

Headteacher at Plymstock School - The new Headteacher of Plymstock School will lead the school through its next phase of development and improvement. This is an incredibly exciting opportunity since the conditions for further improvement are securely established. Closing date: Monday 23 January.

HR Systems and Data Officer/Manager - In the role you will also support the continuous improvement of the HR Service through contribution to relevant policy and project work. You will be a strong team player with the ability to work on your own initiative and make judgements within the boundaries of the role. Closing date: Monday 9 January 2023. 

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