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No sooner did we return to the Summer Term and Plymstock School took the phone call on the first day back notifying them of an Ofsted Section 5 graded inspection over the next two days. Well done to everyone at Plymstock. Maybe this experience has set the tone for a very busy term ahead. Indeed, we are now only four teaching days away from KS2 SAT’s and 8 teaching days away from the first major GCSE -  Biology! I wish everyone well with their final preparations.

 

I include the bullets, from last week, below as a reminder of forthcoming key dates.

  • KS2 SATS commence Tuesday 9 May – WeST collective target 75%
  • A level examinations Monday 15 May
  • GCSE examinations Monday 15 May – WeST collective Basics (9-5) target 54%
  • Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) Year 4 Monday 5 June
  • Phonics Screening Check (PSC) Year 1 Monday 12 June – WeST collective target 90%

Whilst September and the new academic year seem an age away, it will come as no surprise that we are now in the final throes of planning our calendar and next iteration of support for school improvement.

I want to take the opportunity, here, to focus on how we intend to bring greater capacity to our primary school work and engage a wider portfolio of our staff in working beyond their own school.

Context and rationale

  • With the probability of four primary schools joining us from NCLT, we need greater capacity to provide a substantial school improvement function in North Cornwall.
  • To help towards fulfilling the additional capacity required to cover Bradley’s departure.
  • SEND and disadvantage are trust priorities and we acknowledge we have not made a significant impact on disadvantage due to capacity.
  • There are an increasing number of pupils arriving in our schools with complex needs. Schools and families need support to help them ensure that these pupils thrive educationally and socially.
  • Our WeST family of primary schools are collectively high performing, but this cannot be taken for granted, and with our Trust value of aspiration we hold a desire to constantly improve.
  • To make budget savings we are reducing our external training from RWI. We therefore need a WeST colleague to ensure that phonics remains high profile, well implemented in our schools and has a quality impact.

The schematic below aims to illustrate the new ‘delivery element’ of our new Primary School Improvement model. Leadership capacity will continue from our senior leadership.

Recruitment

Inclusion Lead Practitioner (Full time – permanent)

Start Date – 1 September 2023

This role will be advertised both externally & internally with a leadership range of L4-L8.

We are delighted to offer an opportunity for a school SENDCo to join the WeST School Improvement Team. This will be an opportunity to work full-time under the direction of the Director of Education and other senior colleagues. The work will be varied and the successful candidates will need to work flexibly and use their own initiative to support pupils and schools with their SEND and disadvantage provision. This role will not include behaviour, governance and safeguarding.

The appointed person will be an experienced and successful SENDCo. However, this role also requires the postholder to be passionate about supporting pupils supported by Pupil Premium funding, vulnerable learners (as defined by school leaders), children in care and those for whom English is an additional language.

Key elements of the role will include SENDCo induction, leading SEND and disadvantage reviews, reporting and presenting, providing CPD, working with local authorities and MAST, providing specialist advice and pupil observations, attending individual pupil reviews, supporting early identification, monitoring documentation, coordinating strategies to improve social justice, coaching, and providing support and challenge to school leaders.

This post will include working across primary and secondary schools.

Person specification

  • A strong drive to improve social justice
  • Ability to work flexibly, managing time and workload
  • Ability to work well as part of a team but also independently as required
  • Strong emotional intelligence and inter-personal skills
  • Confidence in using WeST SEND systems, such as Edukey Provision Map and WE SEND Evaluate My School
  • A thorough understanding of relevant documentation and legislation, including the Code of Practice (2014) and Ofsted  framework (2019)
  • A strong commitment to improve outcomes for disadvantaged learners
  • Willingness to travel between schools and visit off-site appropriate provision (AP)
  • Willingness to contribute to commissioned reviews for other trusts or maintained schools

WeST Primary Curriculum Lead (Primary) (five positions each requiring 18 days a year – probably 6 days each term - with the Primary School Improvement Team)

  • WeST Primary Curriculum Lead (English)
  • WeST Primary Curriculum Lead (Mathematics)
  • WeST Primary Curriculum Lead (Early Years)
  • WeST Primary Curriculum Lead (Science)
  • WeST Primary Curriculum Lead (Early Reading - Phonics)

Start Date – 1 September 2023

These positions present as excellent professional development opportunities. We are seeking five curriculum experts to join the Primary School Improvement Team and work with the Executive Directors of Subject. This will be a secondment opportunity for 18 days throughout the academic year under the direction of the Director of Education. The work will be varied and interesting, across multiple settings. The successful candidates will need to work flexibly and use their own initiative to support curriculum development and improvement. Key elements of the role will include leading curriculum reviews, reporting and presenting, providing CPD, supporting the implementation of the curriculum, coaching and providing support and challenge to school curriculum leaders.

Applicants should discuss this opportunity with their line manager prior to applying. For shortlisted candidates, a statement of support will be requested from the school’s headteacher.

The 18 days of release for each person from their ‘home’ school would be funded to mitigate cover costs etc. so that the successful candidates ‘home’ school is not disadvantaged.

Person specification

  • Serving WeST senior leader/subject/phase leader with a strong pedagogy and excellent subject knowledge
  • Ability to work flexibly, managing time and workload
  • Ability to work well as part of a team but also independently as required
  • Strong emotional intelligence and inter-personal skills
  • Confident, capable and credible expertise and established leader in the curriculum/phase applied for
  • Thorough understanding of the National Curriculum and Ofsted framework (2019)
  • Desire to improve outcomes for all learners

I hope that this range of opportunities sparks an interest with many of you. Should you wish to discuss the positions or find out more information, please don’t hesitate to contact your headteacher or Sue Costello.

Best wishes

Rob Haring, CEO

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 June. 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 3932.

Support staff pay award 2022 (annual leave increase from 1 April 2023) and incremental progression due 1 April 2023

As a result of the national pay award 2022, support staff colleagues are now entitled to one additional day (or a proportionate fte for part-time staff) of annual leave for the leave year beginning 1 April 2023. 

The additional day is available as a benefit for all support staff, and this means term-time-only colleagues will have one day of annual leave that they may take, upon request, during term-time. Approval for this MUST be requested in advance and will be approved locally according to service need. An updated copy of our leave allocations can be found here (this includes Christmas closure and long-service days):

Employee Groups

Annual Leave Entitlement from 1 April 2023

Status of Days for Term Time Only Staff

Christmas Closure Days

Total Days for TTO and AY staff

NJC < 5 years’ Service

23

X22 factored into pay

X1 taken during term time

3

26

NJC 5-9 years’ service

28

X27 factored into pay

X1 taken during term time

3

31

NJC 10-14 years’ service

29

X27 factored into pay

X2 taken during term time

3

32

NJC 15-19 years’ service

30

X27 factored into pay

X3 taken during term time

3

33

NJC 20+ years’ service

31

X27 factored into pay

X4 taken during term time

3

34

JNC Chief Officers

31

n/a

3

34

A Fantastic Sporting event at Staddiscombe

A lovely afternoon with some proper cross country conditions was held at Staddiscombe Playing Fields on the last Thursday of term! It was great to see the excitement of all the pupils to be out of school and competing with some fantastic racing. We had 6 schools taking part, well done to Woodford, Woodlands Park, Morley Meadow, Ermington, Holbeton and Sherford Vale with 156 total participants. The course contained a few challenging muddy patches but the pupils effort and determination was clear to see and the event was superbly supported by parents and families - we look forward to making this bigger and better next year.

Bank Holiday leave entitlement for the coronation of King Charles III - guidance for term time, part-time support staff

I am sure we are all aware of, and looking forward to, the additional bank holiday on Monday 8 May. 

DfE regulations which amended the STPCD this year to take account of coronation day, reducing the teaching directed time calculation, were mirrored in the Trust’s Pay Policy 2023. The result of this is that directed time calculations for your part-time teaching staff will cover the additional bank holiday entitlement for those colleagues. 

Support staff colleagues are entitled to holiday and normal pay in respect of additional bank holidays. Specifically, for term-time-only employees, an additional period of paid leave during term-time should be granted in respect of an additional bank holiday.

Therefore:

  • If you are a part-time/term-time colleague who normally works on a Monday, you will receive normal pay (providing paid leave for the additional bank holiday).
  • If you are a part-time/term-time colleague whose working pattern means you do not ordinarily work on a Monday, you would still be working for the full number of days / hours for which you are contracted to work annually.  Accordingly, you are entitled to an additional pro-rata leave entitlement to reflect the extra bank holiday.  TTO staff may take this during term-time (subject to advance request and agreement).

The number of hours leave due can be calculated by diving the actual hours normally worked per week by 37 and multiplying this by 7.4:

Actual hours normally worked per week ÷ 37 x 7.4 = number of hours of bank holiday leave entitlement

Using this recommended approach will ensure part-time support staff colleagues receive equal and fair treatment in respect of the bank holiday.

Please contact your local HR administration office in the event of any queries and follow your locally agreed procedures in order to request any leave due.

As a large organisation WeST is required by the Modern Slavery Act to produce an annual statement; the 2022 statement is now available (the dates follow on from our statutory accounts!). The statement sets out our commitment and strategy to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in education arms, business units, and supply chains. However, this requirement goes beyond a statutory requirement and is aligned to the ethical core values of the Trust.

What is Modern Slavery?

Modern Slavery is the illegal exploitation of people for personal or commercial gain. Modern Slavery can take many forms including the trafficking of people, forced labour, servitude and slavery.

Modern slavery is an international crime, affecting millions of people around the world. The anti-slavery charity evidences that in the UK the number of people identified as victims of modern slavery has been rising year on year, with over 12,000 people referred to authorities in 2021. Slavery’s hidden nature means actual numbers are likely to be much higher.

Are there different forms of Modern Slavery?

The term Modern Slavery captures a whole range of types of exploitation, many of which occur together. These include but are not limited to; sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, forced labour, criminal exploitation, and other forms of exploitation.

What is WeST doing?

For several years WeST has published a statement to promote the Trust’s continued commitment and steps towards this issue. The new statement sets out:

  • Steps towards due diligence in our supply chains
  • Steps towards our due diligence as an employer
  • Training and policies which will raise awareness
  • Further steps and objectives for the coming year

Please take moment to review the statement and consider the impact in daily operations you are involved in.

Active April 

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Incremental progression for support staff

As a result of the necessity to make changes to the pay spine, the requirement to conclude consultation and to undertake the necessary system work, any incremental progression due to support staff will be processed in May, but backdated to 1 April 2023. 

Consultation with JCNC colleagues on these changes concluded on Thursday 20 April and were endorsed by Trust Board on 24 April. 

Stress Awareness Month

April marks Stress Awareness month and WeST would like to take the opportunity to highlight some further materials available to you as valued colleagues. Stress can be personal or can be professional, however at times in our lives it is important to know what triggers and strategies may support us.

Below we have included some information for your refence and hope you find this beneficial. Further resources are available on the staff portal.

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Venue: Withycombe Raleigh C of E School Exmouth

Course dates: Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 May 2023

BOOK

Venue: STERTS, Upton Cross

Course dates: Tuesday 13 & Wednesday 14 June 2023

BOOK

Venue: St Petrocs Primary School, Bodmin

Course dates: Wednesday 21 & Thursday 22 June 2023

BOOK

Venue: Chudleigh Primary School

Course dates: Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 June 2023

BOOK

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INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

  • Headteacher Wembury Primary School (ISR L8 to L14)
  • Headteacher Holbeton Primary School (ISR L4 to L10)

We are looking for exceptional candidates to become our Headteachers of Holbeton and Wembury Primary Schools from September 2023.  We are seeking Headteachers that are passionate, committed, collaborative and confident practitioners who will inspire both pupils and colleagues. Ideal candidates will have a strong focus on continuous school improvement to raise standards for all pupils. The Headteachers will have overall responsibility for the organisation, management and conduct of the school, providing leadership and collaborating with their peer colleagues in supporting delivery of the WeST strategic plan 2022-27. Both roles will carry a teaching commitment of at least 2 days per week and will require collaboration within and beyond Westcountry Schools Trust. The Headteacher will be accountable through our governance structure and to the Director of Education. To arrange an informal visit to either school please contact cdickson@westst.org.uk  For a job description/person specification and to make an application please contact recruitment@westst.org.uk 

Closing date: Thursday 4 May 2023.  Interviews: Tuesday 9 May 2023.

NOTE: internal applications will be considered alongside any shortlisted external applicants who wish to be put forward from our previous round of Headteacher recruitment.

Primary Lead Practitioners 0.2 FTE (two positions)

Start Date – 1 September 2023 – 1 year secondment in the first instance

We are seeking two inspirational primary headteachers to join the Primary School Improvement Team and work with Executive Directors of Subject. This will be a seconded opportunity to work one day each week under the direction of the Director of Education. The work will be interesting and varied. The successful candidates will need to work flexibly and use their own initiative to support sustained school improvement. Key elements of the role will include supporting primary headteacher induction, leading school reviews, reporting and presenting, providing CPD, supporting the implementation of the Opening Worlds curriculum, coaching and providing support and challenge to school leaders.

Person specification

  • Serving WeST headteacher with a demonstrable track record of curriculum improvement and high standards
  • Experience of effective school-to-school support
  • Ability to work flexibly, managing time and workload
  • Ability to work well as part of a team and independently as required
  • Strong emotional intelligence and inter-personal skills
  • Confident user of WeST assessment and IT systems
  • Thorough understanding of the National Curriculum (2013) and Ofsted framework (2019)
  • Desire to improve outcomes for all learners
  • Willingness to travel between schools

These roles are presented as a development opportunity for Heads who wish to extend their expertise and experience and to contribute to wider Trust improvement. Appointees will be expected to work with their local leadership teams to facilitate release time without additional funding.

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WeST Primary Curriculum Lead (Primary) (five positions each requiring 18 days a year – approximately 6 days each term - with the Primary School Improvement Team)

  • WeST Primary Curriculum Lead (English)
  • WeST Primary Curriculum Lead (Mathematics)
  • WeST Primary Curriculum Lead (Early Years)
  • WeST Primary Curriculum Lead (Science)
  • WeST Primary Curriculum Lead (Early Reading - Phonics)

Start Date – 1 September 2023

We are seeking five curriculum experts to join the Primary School Improvement Team and work with the Executive Directors of Subject. This will be a secondment opportunity for 18 days, arranged throughout the academic year, under the direction of the Director of Education. The work will be varied and interesting, across multiple settings. The successful candidates will need to work flexibly and use their own initiative to support curriculum development and improvement. Key elements of the role will include leading curriculum/phase reviews, reporting and presenting, providing CPD, supporting the implementation of the curriculum, leading professional learning communities, coaching and providing support and challenge to school curriculum leaders. These positions present an excellent professional development opportunities for subject and/or phase experts.

Applicants should discuss this opportunity with their line manager prior to applying. For shortlisted candidates, a statement of support will be requested from the school’s headteacher.

The 18 days of release for each person from their ‘home’ school would be funded to mitigate cover costs etc. at £200 per day.

Person specification

  • Serving WeST senior leader/subject/phase leader with a strong pedagogy and excellent subject knowledge and evidence of impact
  • Ability to work flexibly, managing time and workload
  • Ability to work well as part of a team but also independently as required
  • Strong emotional intelligence and inter-personal skills
  • Confident, capable and credible expertise and established leadership in the curriculum/phase applied for
  • Thorough understanding of the National Curriculum and Ofsted framework (2019)
  • Desire to improve outcomes for all learners

For an informal discussion about the above roles above please contact Sue Costello, scostello@westst.org.uk to arrange a call.  Letters of application to include:

  • Why you feel suitably qualified for this post.
  • What has attracted you to the post?
  • Relevant experience and expertise with evidence of impact.

Letters to Chris Dickson, cdickson@westst.org.uk  by 9am on 11 May 2023. Interviews are planned for 25 & 15 May respectively.

Recruitment update:

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

Chaddlewood Primary School are looking to appoint an inspirational and creative Key Stage 1 teacher to join their accomplished and dedicated team for September 2023. If you have the commitment and dedication to work in a school that is continually striving to ensure the highest possible standards of pupil achievement, personal development and well-being, your application would be very welcome. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 12 May 2023. 

Coombe Dean School are looking to fill the following vacancies:

Apprentice Science Technician - The successful candidate will support the school's Science department in the delivery of high-quality practical Science. All training will be provided by City College Plymouth in collaboration with the employer themselves throughout the duration of the apprenticeship. Closing date: 19 May 2023. 

Behaviour Support - You will have a passion for working with students who have barriers to their learning which are mainly based in behaviour issues - and knowledge of how to overcome them. Closing date: 9 May 2023. 

Cover Supervisor - Required to facilitate students’ learning in the absence of teachers. We are looking to appoint a confident individual who can create and develop good relationships with students and who has a strong commitment to supporting student learning. Closing date: 5 May 2023. 

Sports Centre Assistant - An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic individual with a passion for sport and fitness to work with the Sports Centre Manager to assist with the day to day facilitation of all Sports Centre and Lettings activities. Closing date: 28 April 2023.

Teaching Assistant - You will be the adult keyworker for a Year 8 student, supporting their learning both within and outside the classroom and during unstructured times to support the development of their social skills. Closing date: 5 June 2023. 

Teacher of Languages - The successful candidate will be a hardworking individual, passionate about MFL, and a Teacher with high expectations and an unwavering determination to get the best outcomes for students. Closing date: 28 April 2023.

Year Team Leader - In this post you will have a varied role focused around supporting students and families to fully engage in school life so that young people can make great progress in terms of their academic, social and emotional development. Closing date: 9 May 2023. 

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

Eggbuckland Community College are looking to fill the following vacancies:

Teaching Assistant – Hearing Support - This role involves supporting students who are d/Deaf / hearing impaired and to enhance an already highly successful and motivated team. Closing date: 5 May 2023.

2x Cleaners - Eggbuckland are looking for a reliable individual to provide cleaning duties after school hours for general cleaning across the College site. Duties include cleaning lavatories and litter picking. Closing date: 28 April 2023.

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

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

Premises Caretaker - Hele's School are looking for an enthusiastic, reliable, adaptable and appropriately skilled individual to join the team who provide repairs and maintenance services throughout the School site. Closing date: 5 May 2023. 

Teacher of Science - MPS/UPS - 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 their school improvement journey and their quest for excellence in every measure. Closing date: 4 May 2023. 

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

Ivybridge Community College are looking to fill the following vacancies:

Teacher of Art and Photography (Maternity Cover) - This is a fantastic opportunity to work in a flourishing department and the successful candidate will gain a wealth of experience from working across the College, whilst receiving support and guidance from the Leadership Team. Closing date: 12 May 2023. 

Assistant SENDCo - This role is to assist in managing the provision for students identified as having Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND); including promoting high quality teaching, effective use of resources, and high standards of learning and achievement for all students. Closing date: 2 May 2023. 

Minibus Driver - The post holder will have sound driving skills with a full, clean driving license including Category D1. Working hours are approximately between 7.00am to 9.00am and again at 3.15pm to 5.15pm. Although hours may vary according to the needs of the College. Closing date: 2 May 2023.

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. 

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

Stowford School are seeking a Nursery Manager who is creative, flexible and enthusiastic with a strong knowledge of how to support learning and provide care for children aged 3 -4 years.  An Early Years qualification (NNEB, CACHE Level 3, NVQ Level 3 or equivalent) is essential. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 17 May 2023.

Westcountry Schools Trust is seeking to appoint an exceptional individual with vision, energy and inspirational leadership to the position of Inclusion Lead Practitioner. We are delighted to offer this opportunity to join the WeST School Improvement Team in September 2023. This post will provide an opportunity to work full-time under the direction of the Director of Education and with other senior colleagues. The work will be interesting and varied, and the successful candidate will need to work flexibly and use their own initiative to support pupils and schools with their SEND and disadvantage provision. For more information, please click here. Closing date: Thursday 18 May.