{alt_tag}

As we approach the final five teaching days of the Spring Term, I thought I’d take the opportunity to commit to a few words, particularly with a lens on what we set out to achieve this year. One of our Trusts values is aspiration, and we have, for us, defined aspiration as:

‘Having high expectations, modelling the delivery of high quality outcomes. Showing passion, persistence and resilience in seeking creative solutions to strive for continuous improvement and excellence’.

So, we aspire for a better future. Achieving our collective goals as shown below will certainly help support the young people in our care in having improved life chances.

WeST Performance Targets and School Improvement Priorities 2022-23

1. We are striving for 95% attendance across our schools

2. Phonics Screening Check (PSC) = 90%

  • The PSC will be administered in the week beginning Monday 12  June 2023.
  • Our internal tracking suggests that we are well placed to achieve our aspirational target of 90%.
  • This is absolutely terrific. We have a team of over 100 professionals teaching phonics every day, so to see such potential success on the horizon is wonderful. Indeed, having such a large team across multiple sites and still achieve this level of success is a testament to the quality of the individuals but also the training and coordination of early reading.
  • So, we are close to achieving 90% and must not let this slip!

3. KS2 RWM% = 75%

  • KS2 SAT’s will commence on Tuesday 9 May 2023

4. KS4 Basics (9-5)% = 54% minimum.

Our success in achieving the above performance targets is supported through the on-going development of our established 4 key school improvement priorities for 2022-23. 

  1. Embedding the culture of Curriculum
  2. Reading – fluency & automaticity
  3. Assessment – and how it supports the curriculum as the progression model
  4. SEND

Pleasingly, several of our recent Ofsted reports have made specific mention to the development of our schools’ curriculum and to how well early reading is taught.

Best wishes

Rob Haring, CEO 

As part of our cyber defence strategy endorsed by the Trust Board, you will soon be receiving a short series of cyber awareness training sessions by email.

Please look out for these and use the links to watch the video and undertake a brief quiz. Each email will link you to a different video and quiz. Not everybody will get the same training at the same time, so please use the link in your email. You will receive an email from invitations@phishline-training.com where you will be asked to click on the link to access the training. 

Thank you in advance for your co-operation.

PDR Training for line managers

The HR Team are offering face-to-face PDR training sessions for line managers on Monday 17th April. 

These are running at Morley Meadow with a choice of morning or afternoon - 9am to 11.30am or 12.30pm to 3pm.

Places are limited to 20 per session and bookings are now open via ESS or this direct link:

Please book it through ESS or contact hr@westst.org.uk. 

We look forward to seeing you there!

For the attention of support staff members of the Cornish or Peninsula Pension Fund - 2023/2024 Employee contribution bands

Below are the new employee contribution bands, which will be effective from 1st April 2023. They are calculated by increasing the 2022/23 employee contribution bands by the September 2022 Consumer Prices Index (CPI) figure of 10.1% and then rounding down the result to the nearest £100:

In many cases, the real cost is a lot less than the amount shown on your payslip. This is because your contributions are taken out before you pay tax, therefore you receive tax relief.

We know the various demands of teaching and working in schools can be stressful. Whether it’s the mountain of books staring at you or the lesson plans tapping you on the shoulder; or it may be those budgets that need preparing or staff recruitment. 

Does this resonate? You’re not alone. 75% of all staff in Education Support’s latest Teacher Wellbeing Index said they’re stressed. And whilst some stress can be positive when managed correctly, more needs to be done to ensure you have a long, happy and rewarding career – not one cut short by too much stress and burnout.

If you want to know how to gain control on your stress-levels, then join Education Support for their next webinar.

You’ll hear from a fantastic panel of teachers and mental health experts. The speakers will explore how to handle your stress and protect your mental wellbeing.

They will share:

  • how to recognise stress and burnout symptoms in yourself and others
  • understanding how stress works and how it can be helpful when managed correctly
  • strategies on how to remain calm and grounded when stressful situations arise
  • successful ‘stress-busters’ specifically for those working in education and support on what to do when feeling overwhelmed
  • tips for minimising stress in your professional and personal life
  • So, take a weight of your mind and sign up today to join us on 28 March 2023, 4pm-5pm.

Everyone in education is invited!

Find out more at: https://www.educationsupport.org.uk/news-and-events/events/stress-busting-tips-how-to-stay-calm-and-in-control/?utm_source=event-newsletter&utm_medium=email+&utm_campaign=stress-webinar-2023

WeST continues to work with Care First who are offering a free 30 minute online session regarding the importance of happiness and its impact on wellbeing. You can register to attend the event live or access a recording of the event online afterwards.

The service is confidential to you and the Trust receives no information about participants.

Register your interest at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/9033364762435495768  

You can call 0800 174 319 to speak to a professional counsellor or information specialist in confidence 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Just quote that you are an employee of ‘Westcountry Schools Trust’.

You can visit the Care first lifestyle website which offers additional resources and online services at:

Website: www.carefirst-lifestyle.co.uk

User Name: Westcountst

Password: Wellbeing1234

10,000 More Girls to Play Tennis

Celebrating Tennis on International Women’s Day

8/3/23

More girls playing more tennis more often – that is the Lawn Tennis Association’s mission for 2023 – And the South Devon Tennis Centre is at the forefront of this campaign, wanting to attract more than 60 new girls into the sport in South Hams.

When Emma Raducanu won the American Grand Slam last year many young girls were inspired to pick up a racket.  The South Devon Tennis Centre located in Ivybridge was inundated with girls taking up their LTA Youth Start Course last September and many of them now play regularly in their coaching programme.

Watch our Inspirational Videos of Girls playing tennis

  • https://youtu.be/fR9fGFCdOq4
  • https://youtu.be/zdWu79EqKUM
  • https://youtu.be/ylmlkRhVIvE

This year Prime Video and the Lawn Tennis Association are working together using the money generated from Prime Video’s transmission of Emma’s match, to spearhead a new campaign.

270 LTA accredited coaches from across the country have been selected and trained to deliver a tennis course specifically designed for girls. The 6 week course which includes a free racket and set of balls (for £35) and will be followed by a further 6 week offer and end with a team competition week.

Two female coaches trained to deliver these courses work at the South Devon Tennis Centre and will be offering the new courses starting on 17th April.

You can now register your daughter’s interest in the course today on International Women’s Day – a time to celebrate women’s achievement throughout history and across nations.

Lesley Crocker, one of South Devon’s accredited coaches who will be delivering the course said: “We are delighted that the LTA and Prime are launching this initiative.  I love tennis, it has been a constant positive in my life, and it would be amazing to enable more girls to enjoy the sport as I have.  Tennis is great for physical and mental health, it is a fun social sport that you can take with you wherever you go for all of your life.

“These new courses recognise that young boys and girls have different social, physical and emotional makeups and that we as coaches need to create an environment where girls can flourish.”

In order to attract more girls to tennis and retain them in the sport, tennis needs more positive role models and young girls needs to see people like them picking up a racket.

75% of all LTA accredited coaches in the UK, are male and sadly weekly tennis players are 70% more likely to be male than female.

However, if we can encourage more girls to pick up a racket in primary school they are 3 x more likely to play tennis as an adult. 

Lesley added: “So our mission here in South Devon is to show young girls that tennis can be for them, that girls can love tennis, play it regularly and benefit from of lifetime of sport.”

To find out more about LTA Youth Girls Tennis Course at South Devon Tennis Centre: Visit: LTA Youth Girls (southdevontenniscentre.co.uk)

Media Enquiries please call Lesley Tel: 07966773398

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. 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.

Mindful March

{alt_tag}

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.

3 April: Hardwiring positivity

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

{alt_tag}
{alt_tag}
{alt_tag}
{alt_tag}
{alt_tag}

Venue: Woodford Primary School

Course dates: Tuesday 7 & Wednesday 8 March 2023

BOOK

Venue: Withycombe Raleigh C of E School Exmouth

Course dates: Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 May 2023

BOOK

Venue: Chudleigh Primary School

Course dates: Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 June 2023

BOOK

{alt_tag}
{alt_tag}
{alt_tag}

Recruitment update:

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

Boringdon Primary School is looking to appoint 2 x temporary Teaching Assistants. Boringdon are looking for someone to join their team, temporarily due to Maternity Leave, who can demonstrate passion and enthusiasm for achieving both the best for the children in their class and playing their part in the wider school community. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 24 March 2023. 

Buckfastleigh Primary School are looking for a KS2 teacher who can come in and continue the great work of our current post holder while she is on maternity leave. This role would be suitable for either a fixed term contract or a secondment and interested teachers are encouraged to ring the school to speak to Eddie Brown, the Headteacher, to discuss this. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 21 April 2023. 

Coombe Dean School are seeking to appoint an Administrator to support their Post-16 Leadership Team. You should be able to work autonomously, remain calm under pressure and be able to meet tight deadlines. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 27 March 2023. 

Sherford Vale School & Nursery currently has a vacancy for a qualified, permanent, experienced Nursery practitioner. Sherford Vale are looking for an excellent Nursery practitioner who puts learning at the heart of their practice, has a hunger to improve, a strong teamwork ethic and who is flexible. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 19 April 2023. 

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

Cover Supervisor - The successful candidate must be able to deliver the curriculum to a high level, across the subjects, and will work closely with the Heads of Departments. The successful candidate will be a hard-working individual; with high expectations and an unwavering determination to get the best outcomes for students. Closing date: 21 April 2023.

Teaching Assistant - 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. 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: 21 April 2023.

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

Westcountry Schools Trust are seeking to appoint a Hub Advisory Board Administrator. The role will support the Governance Officer to contribute to the smooth operation of Hub Advisory Boards (HABs), providing a high standard administrative service supporting the development and implementation of HAB services compliant with relevant governance regulations. The successful candidate will also ensure GDPR compliance and fulfil the HAB role of Data Protection Lead. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 17 April 2023.