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Colleagues will be aware that we have been working collaboratively with the five schools that comprise North Cornwall Learning Trust (NCLT) for near on a year. Through working so closely together, it has become clear that the ethos and values of our respective trusts exhibit strong alignment. Through careful consideration, and a thorough due diligence process, each Trust Board has now decided to proceed with the proposed formal merger. I am pleased to report that we now hope to become one trust with effect from 1 June 2024 and will form the ‘Cornwall Cluster’ consisting of two secondary and four primary schools.

As is the norm at this time of year, we are entering another period of busy recruitment for a raft of positions. Do take a look at the opportunities available on the MyNewTerm platform.

Best wishes,

Rob Haring

CEO

Planning Annual Leave

For those support staff colleagues on 52 weeks per annum

With April upon us, it’s a time many colleagues will be considering plans for their annual leave entitlement 2024/2025.

Colleagues who are engaged on support staff terms and conditions, and at 52 weeks per annum (sometimes known as all year-round contracts), will have an entitlement of 26 – 34 days of annual leave (bank and public holidays are in addition to this entitlement). The management of this leave should be via iTrent employee self-service. Please ensure you are recording your requests for leave via this system, including the 3 days allocated for the Christmas closure, which does need to be accounted for from your entitlement, to ensure your employment records are accurately reflected. Your line manager will be notified of the request and able to confirm authorisation. This will ensure your balance of annual leave is accurately managed in the personnel records.

Colleagues engaged on support staff terms and conditions at term time only (e.g. 38/39 weeks per annum) have an equivalent pay enhancement for core annual leave, plus the 1 day per annum NJC annual leave and long service days.

You can review your balance and contract details via employee self service of iTrent. For specific queries please liaise with your local HR administrator / office manager or contact hr@westst.org.uk.

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.

The charity Education Support are dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of teachers and education staff and there are some fantastic stress resources, including guides, videos and articles available on their website.

We hope you find this information useful and beneficial. Further resources are available on the Staff Portal.

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Home & Tech (Techscheme)

Techscheme is getting a makeover and has now been rebranded to Home & Tech.

This new name and updated branding is to reflect the link with retailers Currys and IKEA, who offer a range of technology, appliances, large electrical goods, furniture and home furnishings.

Home & Tech is an affordable way to get the latest tech for you and your family. Via a salary sacrifice scheme you are able to save up to 12% on National Insurance and pay for products directly from your salary over a 12 month period. Please note there is an upper limit of £1,000 with only one Home & Tech salary sacrifice arrangement being in place at any one time.

To find out more you can visit the Home & Tech website using the direct Trust link: www.techscheme.co.uk/5a148ef

For further information, contact the WeST HR team via hr@westst.org.uk

The Seven golden rules for sharing information (including personal information):


1. All children have a right to be protected from abuse and neglect. Protecting a child from such harm takes priority over protecting their privacy, or the privacy rights of the person(s) failing to protect them. The UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA) provide a framework to support information sharing where practitioners have reason to believe failure to share information may result in the child being at risk of harm.


2. When you have a safeguarding concern, wherever it is practicable and safe to do so, engage with the child and/or their carer(s), and explain who you intend to share information with, what information you will be sharing and why. You are not required to inform them, if you have reason to believe that doing so may put the child at increased risk of harm (e.g., because their carer(s) may harm the child, or react violently to anyone seeking to intervene, or because the child might withhold information or withdraw from services).


3. You do not need consent to share personal information about a child and/or members of their family if a child is at risk or there is a perceived risk of harm. You need a lawful basis to share information under data protection law, but when you intend to share information as part of action to safeguard a child at possible risk of harm, consent may not be an appropriate basis for sharing. It is good practice to ensure transparency about your decisions and seek to work cooperatively with a child and their carer(s) wherever possible. This means you should consider any objection the child or their carers may have to proposed information sharing, but you should consider overriding their objections if you believe sharing the information is necessary to protect the child from harm.


4. Seek advice promptly whenever you are uncertain or do not fully understand how the legal framework supports information sharing in a particular case. Do not leave a child at risk of harm because you have concerns you might be criticised for sharing information. Instead, find out who in your organisation/agency can provide advice about what information to share and with whom. This may be your manager/supervisor, the designated safeguarding children professional, the data protection/information governance lead (e.g., Data Protection Officer), Caldicott Guardian, or relevant policy or legal team. If you work for a small charity or voluntary organisation, follow the NSPCC's safeguarding guidance.


5. When sharing information, ensure you and the person or agency/organisation that receives the information take steps to protect the identities of any individuals (e.g., the child, a carer, a neighbour, or a colleague) who might suffer harm if their details became known to an abuser or one of their associates.

6. Only share relevant and accurate information with individuals or agencies/organisations that have a role in safeguarding the child and/or providing their family with support, and only share the information they need to support the provision of their services. Sharing information with a third party rarely requires you to share an entire record or case-file – you must only share information that is necessary, proportionate for the intended purpose, relevant, adequate and accurate.


7. Record the reasons for your information sharing decision, irrespective of whether or not you decide to share information. When another practitioner or organisation requests information from you, and you decide not to share it, be prepared to explain why you chose not to do so. Be willing to reconsider your decision if the requestor shares new information that might cause you to regard information you hold in a new light. When recording any decision, clearly set out the rationale and be prepared to explain your reasons if you are asked.

Active April 2024

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Internal Vacancies: 

(INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY) Sherford Vale School and Nursery is looking to appoint a Deputy Headteacher. This is an exciting opportunity for further leadership development. Sherford Vale is looking for an inspirational, motivated and dynamic teacher with proven track record and experience across all primary phases, particularly in early years and KS1. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 30 April 2024.

Recruitment update:

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

Callington Community College is seeking to appoint a Science Technician. Callington is looking for an exceptional individual to undertake a technical support role within the College. The post holder requires a good standard of practical knowledge and experience and will have some responsibility for resources, such as equipment and materials. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 29 April 2024.

 

Coombe Dean School is seeking to appoint a Subject Leader of Maths. Coombe Dean is looking for an experienced and well-qualified leader. The successful candidate will clearly demonstrate the ability to inspire, motivate and support colleagues and will be an excellent curriculum thinker and classroom practitioner. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 7 May 2024.

 

Eggbuckland Community College is seeking to appoint Casual Examination Invigilators. Successful candidates will support the exams administrators with the day-to-day operation of examination venues. Duties may include reading and/or scribing for students with special needs. For more information, please click here. Closing date: On-going.

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

Teacher of Art - Hele's wish to appoint a dynamic classroom practitioner with the capacity to teach Art at KS3 and KS4, and also potentially at A-Level. They are seeking someone who is both an outstanding teacher and an enthusiastic and influential role model for our students. The successful candidate will have a proven record of delivering excellent outcomes for students. Closing date: 7 May 2024. 

Teacher of Music - Hele's is looking for an exceptional teacher with energy, creativity and commitment to music and to join their creative performing arts department. They are looking for a dynamic classroom practitioner with the capacity to teach Music up to KS4. Closing date: 14 May 2024. 

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

Ivybridge Community College is looking to fill the following vacancies: 

Casual Examination Invigilators. 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. A full day, morning (start 8.30am) and afternoon sessions are offered. Closing date: On-going.

Cover Supervisor - Ivybridge is looking to appoint exceptional individuals to the position of Cover Supervisor. The post holders will be members of support staff, providing specific support to provide lesson 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: 9 May 2024.

Cover Supervisor - Science - Ivybridge is looking to appoint exceptional individuals to the position of Cover Supervisor. The post holders will be members of support staff, providing specific support to provide lesson 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: 9 May 2024.

Teacher of History - Ivybridge is looking for a well-qualified, confident and enthusiastic teacher to join the highly valued history department. 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: 3 May 2024.

Teacher of Geography Fixed Term - Ivybridge is looking for a well-qualified, confident and enthusiastic teacher to join the highly valued geography department. 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: 3 May 2024.

Head of Geography - Maternity Cover - This is an excellent opportunity for someone to lead a successful department at a time of continuing curriculum and educational change. It offers the successful candidate the chance to have a positive input into these developments and the range of experiences available provides an excellent framework within which to further develop your teaching skills. Closing date: 3 May 2024.

Teacher of Physical Education - Maternity Cover - This is an opportunity to join an outstanding team of Physical Education teachers in a large vibrant department. 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: 2 May 2024.

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

Westcountry Schools Trust is seeking to appoint an exceptional individual with vision, energy and inspirational leadership to the position of Headteacher at Stowford School. The Headteacher will have overall responsibility for the organisation, management and conduct of the school, providing leadership and assisting with the delivery of the WeST strategic direction to ensure the achievement of the highest possible standards of education. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 17 May 2024.