Westcountry Schools Trust Parent Portal

I open this week’s ‘Whistle’ by sharing fantastic news.

The DfE have now published the results of this year’s Phonics Screening Check (PSC), which our Year 1 children took in early June. Summer 2022 saw our combined WeST primary schools achieve 85% success at PSC compared to the national average of 75%. In authentic alignment with our Trust value of ‘aspiration’, we set ourselves an ambitious target of 90% success at PSC for June 2023. Well, we did just that – our collective Year 1 children, across 19 primary schools achieved 90% success at PSC this year. Congratulations to our children, and a huge thank you to all of our staff for the professional and determined approach to making sure our children are able to decode the alphabet and begin to read fluently. Of course, success with phonics is only the first step to confident and fluent reading.

We have finished a busy week having navigated industrial action, activity weeks and without an Ofsted phone call!

Whilst we now have a keen eye on the summer break, since we only have two teaching weeks remain, I know that many are busy with preparation for the start of the new academic year in September. For completeness I’m pleased to share below a list of our schools and their respective leadership for next year. I know that a warm welcome will be extended to those that are newly joining us, but also to those who are moving schools from within the WeST family.

WeST School	WeST Headteacher
Ashburton Primary School	Tammy Docking
Austin Farm Academy	Ruth Baptiste
Boringdon Primary School	Sarah King
Buckfastleigh Primary School	Laurie Archer
Callington Community College	Wendy Ainsworth
Chaddlewood Primary School	Matt Stace (Acting HT)
Coombe Dean School	Kevin Dyke
Eggbuckland Community College	Heather Lilley
Ermington Primary School	Mark Mitchell
Glen Park Primary School	Anthony Hutchings
Hele’s School	Justine Mason
Holbeton Primary School	Sarah Honywill
Ivybridge Community College	Rachel Hutchinson
Manor Primary School	Karen Dixon
Morley Meadow Primary School	Claire Duncan
Oreston Community Academy	Amy Chivers
Plympton St Maurice Primary School	Chris Rickard
Plymstock School	Alan Yendell
Sherford Vale School	Susie Evans
South Dartmoor Community College	Jen Veal
Stowford School	Sue Williams
Ugborough Primary School	Lucy French
Wembury Primary School	Samantha Wilkinson
Woodford Primary School	Kate Patrick
Woodlands Park Primary School	Eve Vollans
Yealmpton Primary School	Rob Pepper

In similar vein, I’m announcing the news that Richard Light has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Tarka Learning Trust – a Multi Academy trust predominately base in North Devon. Richard takes up his new post on 1September 2023 and I know that everyone will wish him, and the schools and children in his care, every success.

Best wishes

Rob Haring, CEO

WeST Schools Dance Celebration Event Buckland Abbey with Arena

Over 200 pupils from 7 WeST primary schools took part in a dance celebration event at Buckland Abbey as part of a dance CPD project.

The project started in May with teachers attending a dance CPD ‘Dance for the terrified’ wprkshop. This CPD supported teachers in how to develop dance from a theme, the key components of a dance performance, key vocabulary to use and how to engage children in the collaboration of a dance motif.

The teachers and children worked exceptionally hard over the course of May and June to put together some outstanding motifs. Teachers and children were asked to work on a theme linked to Buckland Abbey. These ranged from explorers, sailors, nature and space exploration.

Woodlands Park school kicked off the performance with a motif ‘the exploration of the rainforest’, with children exploring the outside space and turning in many ‘canons’ to produce an excellent performance.

Wembury School designed a motif around their science project which was invertebrates and vertebrates. Many moves were designed with transformed children into animals in motion, with brilliant results.

Ugborough School then flowed into action with their dance themed around rivers, with many combinations of moves including working in duets, solos and as a group. The children produced a very creative dance.

Morley Meadow jetting off on a space adventure with their dance themed around a rocket. The children worked well to perform this complicated set of moves dressed in green and black which was a great combination of colours and moves.

Stowford School continued the theme of the ‘explorers dance’ with their motif based on sailing. Dressed as sailors they produced a creative piece of work which saw them setting sail as great explorers.

Woodford included a drum in their performance as they set off using the theme of Sir Francis Drake to explore the gardens of the abbey with a well -rehearsed performance.

Sherford completed the dance journey for the audience with their motif based on plants and seeds as part of their science project. They looked very professional in their green outfits, and they created a great dance piece ahead of the finale.

In the finale all the children took part in a performance with the professional artists. A special thanks to all children and teachers who took part in this event, working with professional artists to create an outdoor dance which embraced many themes linked to Buckland Abbey.

Children also developed their communication, collaboration and cooperation skills as well as their emotional resilience. Teachers also developed as professionals through this project and are now more confident in teaching dance.

Recruitment update:

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

Callington Community College are looking to appoint a Senior Science Technician. The post holder requires a good standard of practical knowledge and experience and will have responsibility for resources, such as equipment and materials. The post will also include some administration support and data entry. For more information, please click here. Closing date: Friday 28 July 2023.

Coombe Dean School are seeking to appoint a 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. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 14 July 2023.

Holbeton Primary School currently require a Teaching Assistant to work in their year nursery/foundation class. The persons appointed would need the skills and qualities necessary to demonstrate - a secure level of understanding of SEND needs, safeguarding policies and procedures, and consistently high levels of behaviour and learning, to join their team, starting in the summer term. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 17 July 2023.

Ivybridge Community College are seeking to appoint a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead. The post holder will support the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to maintain an effective safeguarding service, whereby all staff understand the needs of children at risk. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 10 July 2023.

Oreston Community Academy are looking to fill the following vacancies:

Full time Permanent Nursery TA - 31.67 hours per week, plus 14 additional hours per annum (Grade C) Salary £21,575 - £22,369 (actual salary £15,572 - £16,145)
Full Time Permanent TA - 31.2 hours per week, plus 14 additional hours per annum (Grade C) Salary £21,575 - £22,369 (actual salary £15,341 - £15,906)
Fixed Term, Part Time - 15.83 hours per week (0.5FTE), plus 14 additional hours per annum (Grade C) FTE Salary £21,575 - £22,369 (actual salary £7,784 - £8,070)
Fixed Term, Part Time - 12.7 hours per week (0.4FTE), plus 14 additional hours per annum (Grade C) FTE Salary £21,575 - £22,369 (actual salary £6,244- £6,474)

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

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

Cover Co-ordinator & Cover Supervisor - The successful candidate will be a hard-working individual with high expectations and an unwavering determination to get the best for students; establishing excellent relationships quickly with all stakeholders and communicate effectively to ensure all students’ needs are met. Closing date: 7 August 2023.

Receptionist & Administrative Assistant - The successful candidate will work closely within the Central Services Team and will also provide routine general clerical administrative support. Closing date: 7 August 2023.

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

Westcountry Schools Trust are looking to fill the following vacancies:

Executive Assistant (School Improvement) - As Executive Assistant (School Improvement), you will be responsible for providing both routine and complex administrative support to the School Improvement Team. You will be the first point of contact for the Team, answering and triaging queries as appropriate, ensuring that all emails and/or calls are responded to in a timely manner. Closing date: 17 July 2023.

Executive Assistant (WeST Learning Institute) - As Executive Assistant (WeST Learning Institute), you will be responsible for the onboarding of Teachers and School Leaders as they register for programmes through the WeST Learning Institute. You will be the first point of contact for programme members, answering and triaging queries as appropriate, ensuring that all emails and/or calls are responded to in a timely manner. Closing date: 17 July 2023.

HR Assistant - Individuals in this role will have an aptitude for resolving day-to-day problems independently, an excellent understanding and working knowledge of HR related administration and be open to developing a base-line knowledge of routine employee relations issues related to their areas of work. They will also be committed to working to Trust values and developing professional practice excellence to meet the changing demands of the role and as part of a team. Closing date: 24 July 2023.

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

WeST Schools Dance Celebration Event Buckland Abbey with Arena

Jump Back Up July

Training Opportunities

Face to Face Training Dates:

Mental Health First Aid (Online)

Recruitment update:

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