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Another busy week comes to a close. This time busy, but without the additional pressure of an Ofsted visit!

I was privileged to attend WeST’s inaugural Year 12 conference that was hosted at Plymouth University. Thank you to Heather Lilley for the wonderful organisation but also a massive thank you to Plymouth University for the generosity of their hosting offer. It really was quite an occasion to see some 500 plus students from our collective sixth forms come together at a central venue.

This is a time of year where we enjoy a moment to celebrate the year’s achievements and the collective ‘journey’ of the children in our care. Highlights include Year 11 and 13 proms, sports days and ‘activities weeks’ to name but a few. Thank you to everyone for your efforts in supporting these events that form a valuable part of our annual calendar.

Next week once again sees us experience a period of industrial action. These moments are never easy, but we will do our best to navigate these challenging periods.

I am aware that we remain busy with recruitment despite being so close to the end of term. I strongly suspect that we will be welcoming nearly 40 Early Career Teachers (ECTs) to our trust as they commence their teaching careers with us.

A reminder to all that Ambition Institute are our new national partner for ECT and NPQ support and delivery. Any questions in this regard please do contact Amy Pearce via apearce@westst.org.uk.

Best wishes

Rob Haring, CEO

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Joyful June

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NATURAL SCHOOLING – LEARNING IN, ABOUT AND THROUGH NATURE 

We would like to invite our WeST colleagues to a free CPD event to be held at the Eden Project on 21 July. 

This is a free dissemination event to share the results of our interprofessional Erasmus Plus project pilot.

The Erasmus+ funded project,  entitled ‘Natural Schooling; using curriculum innovation projects to improve student outcomes, wellbeing and health’ has been a collaboration of school organizations from Italy, Spain, Sweden and England delivered in schools (ranging from KS2 to Post16) and led by WeST Learning Institute.  

The partners include mainstream primary and secondary ages, special education and alternative provision schools. The partnership also includes organisations with varying experience in outdoor learning, with some settings with established practice and others that are very new to these approaches. 

The website associated with the project (which was also one of the outputs) can be found here: https://naturalschooling.eu 

The evaluation of the project has been advised by Sue Waite, honorary research fellow Plymouth University, who led the Natural Connections Demonstration project (Defra / Plymouth University, 2012-2016) and who is currently also evaluating the Nature Friendly Schools programme.

Event details:  

  • Target audience: teachers, outdoor lead teachers, Sustainability and Climate Change strategy lead teachers, senior leadership (schools), education establishment, other interested parties wishing to innovate curriculum delivery to support aspiration, engagement, mental health and wellbeing.  
  • When: Friday 21 July 2023 9.00-3.30 (buffet lunch included) 
  • Where: The Seed and Pod rooms, The Core Building, The Eden Project 

Places are limited for this event. To find out more about the event and to book your free place, use this link:  

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/natural-schooling-an-event-to-share-the-results-of-our-erasmus-project-tickets-633298291237

We look forward to seeing you at this free event, to share with you how schools have innovated and developed their curriculums through natural schooling.  

Training Opportunities 

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)

An accredited two-day, interactive training that prepares caregivers to provide suicide first aid interventions.

Suitable for people who work or volunteer with children and young people.

What will you learn as an ASIST trained first aid caregiver? After taking ASIST, you will be better able to:

  • Be suicide alert - identify people who have thoughts of suicide
  • Understand the reasons behind thoughts of suicide and the reasons for living
  • Access risk and safety - develop a plan to increase the safety of the person at risk of suicide
  • Recognise invitations for help
  • Recognise potential barriers of seeking help
  • Offer support – recognise other important aspects of suicide prevention including life promotion and self-care
  • Effectively apply a suicide intervention model
  • Link people with community resources

This course is being delivered over two full days between 9am-5pm and participants must attend both days.

Anyone 16 or older (despite previous training) can learn and use the ASIST model. No previous mental health or suicide prevention experience is necessary. Suitable for people who work or volunteer with children and young people.

Face to Face Training Dates:

Dates: Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 August 2023

Times: 9am – 5pm both days

Venue: Printworks Tavistock, Kingdon House Community Association, Pym Street, Tavistock, PL19 0AW.

Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/601495909457

Dates: Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 September 2023

Times: 9am – 5pm both days

Venue: Yealmpton Community Association, Yealmpton Community Centre, Stray Park, Yealmpton, Plymouth, PL8 2HF.

Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/601496832217

Dates: Monday 6 and Tuesday 7 November 2023

Times: 9am – 5pm both days

Venue: Lee Moor Public Hall, Lee Moor, Plymouth, PL7 5RJ.

Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/609476599917

Mental Health First Aid (Online)

MHFA provides knowledge and skills at a level for any adult member of the public who wishes to give initial first aid.

Suitable for people who work or volunteer with children and young people. Open to all the community (16 years and above).

Train as a Mental Health First Aider (MHFAider®) and gain the benefit of joining England’s largest community of trained MHFAiders®, receive three years of ongoing learning support and benefits.

Covering the main diagnosis- Anxiety, Suicide, Depression and Psychosis. Includes a mix of media, group work and skill learning. This course is ideal for those who would like to become a MHFAider® to:

  • Encourage self-care, giving you the tools to look after your own and others' mental health
  • Gain the knowledge and skills to spot signs of people experiencing poor mental health
  • Be confident starting a conversation and signpost a person to appropriate support
  • Promotes early intervention and faster recovery, which can prevent an individual's mental health deteriorating
  • Awareness of how mental health impacts the workplace; skills to empower people to thrive in the workplace.

This training will be delivered in person by trainer Jacqui Bamford.

The training will be delivered over four morning sessions, 9:00-13:00pm. By signing up you are able to attend ALL four sessions for your selected course.

Please register your interest here and you will be contacted with a booking form and the necessary joining instructions.

Online Training Dates:

Dates: Monday 31 July, Wednesday 2, Monday 14 and Wednesday 16 August

Times: 9am – 1pm

Register your interest here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/610951200487

Dates: Tuesday 14, Wednesday 15, Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 November

Times: 9am – 1pm

Register your interest here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/610964871377

Mental Health First Aid (Face to Face)

MHFA provides knowledge and skills at a level for any adult member of the public who wishes to give initial first aid or assistance.

Suitable for people who work or volunteer with children and young people. Open to all the community (16 years and above).

Train as a Mental Health First Aider (MHFAider®) and gain the benefit of joining England’s largest community of trained MHFAiders®, receive three years of ongoing learning support and benefits.

Covering the main diagnosis- Anxiety, Suicide, Depression and Psychosis. Includes a mix of media, group work and skill learning. This course is ideal for those who would like to become a MHFAider® to:

  • Encourage self-care, giving you the tools to look after your own and others' mental health
  • Gain the knowledge and skills to spot signs of people experiencing poor mental health
  • Be confident starting a conversation and signpost a person to appropriate support
  • Promotes early intervention and faster recovery, which can prevent an individual's mental health deteriorating
  • Awareness of how mental health impacts the workplace; skills to empower people to thrive in the workplace.

This training will be delivered in person by trainer Jacqui Bamford.

The training will be delivered over two days from 9:00-5:00pm. By signing up you are committing to attend both days for your selected course.

Please register your interest here and we will contact you with a booking form and the necessary joining instructions.

The face to face MHFA courses below are 2 full days and both days must be attended to completed the course

Face to Face Training Dates:

Dates: Monday 10 and Monday 24 July 2023

Times: 9am – 5pm both days

Venue: Lee Moor Public Hall, Lee Moor, Plymouth, PL7 5RJ.

Register your interest here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/611079724907

Dates: Wednesday 6 September and Wednesday 13 September 2023

Times: 9am – 5pm both days

Venue: Printworks Tavistock, Kingdon House Community Association, Pym Street, Tavistock, PL19 0AW.

Register your interest here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/61113502029

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Recruitment update:

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

Coombe Dean School are looking to fill the following vacancies: 

Cover Supervisor - The ability to work independently and as part of a team is essential. The successful applicant will demonstrate an understanding of the issues related to the motivation of students and have a good education with a minimum of 5 GCSEs A-C or equivalent. Closing date: 5 July 2023. 

Library and Reading Co-ordinator - The successful candidate will be an innovative and inspirational leader of reading, learning and research, and they will plan and deliver an exciting programme of activities, events and author visits that promote reading and the development of literacy across the school. Closing date: 3 July 2023. 

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

Ivybridge Community College are looking to fill the following vacancies: 

Cover Supervisor - The post holder will be part of the Administrative Team, providing specific support to administer cover arrangements and also provide cover on a daily basis.  The Cover Supervisor will provide a high standard of support to assist with the smooth operation of the organisation. Closing date: 7 July 2023. 

Science Technician – Part Time - The post holder requires a good standard of practical knowledge and experience and will have some responsibility for resources, such as equipment and materials.  The post may include some administration support and data entry. Closing date: 3 July 2023. 

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

Morley Meadow Primary is seeking to appoint 2 dedicated Mealtime Assistants who encourage children to play positively and wish to make lunchtimes an enjoyable time for all. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 7 July 2023. 

Plymstock School are looking to appoint an exceptional individual in the position of Behaviour Leader. This talented individual, would be required to manage and continue to develop our caring and supportive learning environment for our young people, including the school vision of ‘Achieving Excellence through Curriculum and Culture’. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 5 July 2023. 

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

Assistant Pastoral Leaders x2 - The successful candidate will work closely with the Pastoral Team to ensure all students fulfil their potential. S/he will be a hard-working individual with high expectations and an unwavering determination to get the best for students. Closing date: 3 July 2023.

Business & Maths Teacher - The successful candidate will be based at South Dartmoor Community College and must be able to deliver the curriculum to a high level, across all Key Stages, working as part of the Maths faculty. Closing date: 3 July 2023.

Science Technician - As a Science Technician, you will play a vital role in supporting the teaching and learning of science subjects within our college to ensure the best outcomes are achieved for our students. Closing date: 7 July 2023.

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

Westcountry Schools Trust is seeking to appoint a driven individual with the ability to self-motivate and work efficiently, to the position of Plumber, working at multiple sites across the Trust. Working across various primary and secondary schools, reporting to the WeST Facilities Manager and liaising with school Premises Managers. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 5 July 2023.