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Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to the penultimate edition of the ‘Weekly Whistle’ for the 2024 calendar year. As we near the end of what has been a long and demanding Autumn Term, it’s heartening to reflect on the dedication, collaboration, and aspiration that continue to drive our work across the Trust. Despite being so close to the finish line, we remain exceptionally busy, demonstrating our shared commitment to providing the very best for our children and communities.

I would like to share some significant news regarding leadership within our Trust. Susie Evans, headteacher at Sherford Vale School & Nursery, has decided to retire, effective Easter 2024. After considerable reflection, Susie feels the time is right to step into a new chapter of her life.

Susie has been a wonderful leader, dedicating her career to nurturing staff and delivering a rich, inspiring education for the children under her care. Her influence as a leader has shaped the lives of countless pupils and colleagues alike, embodying our Trust values of collaboration and aspiration. Susie is held in the highest regard across our community. On behalf of the entire Trust, we extend our deepest gratitude to Susie for her unwavering commitment and wish her every happiness for the future. She will be greatly missed, but her legacy will undoubtedly endure.

On a practical note, I would like to confirm that December payroll will run on Friday 20 December. This will include all arrears due as a result of the recently agreed national pay awards for teachers and support staff. For those who may have missed the earlier announcements, please be assured this adjustment will be reflected in this month's payment.

Improving school attendance continues to be one of our key priorities, reflecting our shared aspiration to ensure every child benefits fully from their education. This week, it was fantastic to see the Attendance Network come together to share effective strategies for lifting attendance and explore how these can be implemented at a school level. These collaborative discussions are essential as we work together to create a culture where regular attendance is valued and achieved.

In addition, it was inspiring to see so many Key Stage 2 colleagues engaging with Rebecca Cosgrave in a session focused on high-quality and effective KS2 moderation. These professional conversations exemplify our Trust’s value of collaboration, demonstrating how we can achieve excellence when we share knowledge and expertise.

As we head into the final week of term, I want to thank every one of you for your hard work, resilience, and commitment.

Best wishes, 

Rob Haring

CEO

Flu Vaccinations - 2024/2025

WeST continues to support staff wellbeing and is pleased to offer staff access to flu jab vaccinations this winter. Last year we issued over 350 flu jab vaccination vouchers to staff members across the WeST network!

Following your feedback, this year we have partnered with Doctorcall to deliver a number of e-voucher flu vaccinations via participating pharmacies. 

These vaccinations are provided at no cost to staff members and we encourage all staff to take up the offer of a flu jab.

Flu vaccination voucher
To request you flu vaccination voucher, please visit here or scan this QR code:
Vouchers are to be used at one of the participating pharmacies (Found here: https://doctorcall.co.uk/pharmacy-finder).


 

 

 

 

You will be able to book an appointment at a time and location that suits you.
Pharmacies include Tesco, Day Lewis, +Well and Asda.

Now open to all staff members, regardless of eligibility. 

For further information please contact WeST HR via hr@westst.org.uk

In October, Ermington had a visit from the Music Director of Devon Music Hub, he heard our choir sing and asked us to join Gabrieli choir from London and other schools to sing at Exeter Cathedral. It was a spectacular experience for our young singers. We rehearsed weekly with a specialist singing teacher and then travelled to Exeter to rehearse with Emily Dickens from Gabrieli. We then performed on Monday 9 December at Exeter Cathedral alongside 6 other schools as part of Gabrieli's Grand Georgian Christmas concert. 19 of Ermington's singers went ranging from Year 2 - Year 6.

Here is the Music Education hubs comment -

On Monday 9 December, Devon Music Education Hub welcomed Gabrieli Roar to Exeter Cathedral as part of the UK tour of 'A Grand Georgian Christmas'.

Under the baton of Artistic Director Paul McCreesh and Chorus Directors Charles MacDougall and Emily Dickens, over 300 young singers from across the South West came together to sing historic carols and festive music that would have been familiar to many in early nineteenth century England. The stage choir featured members of Devon Youth Choir, The Legacy Choir and Schola Exe (Exeter Cathedral youth choir) with a larger chorus of primary schools children including Wynstream Primary, Ide Primary, Ermington Primary and Montpelier Primary, as well as young singers from across Wessex MAT in Dorset.

The choir were brilliantly supported by a group of professional singers and musicians playing period instruments including strings, flutes, clarinets, bassoons, horns, trumpets, drums, organ, harpsichord, ophicleide and two very special serpents.

The concept behind Gabrieli Roar is to 'raise the bar' on what young singers can achieve as Paul McCreesh explains:

“I am a great believer in the talents of young people. My firm belief that the higher one sets the bar, the higher young people jump has been entirely substantiated by the incredible achievements made by the young singers participating in our projects. They have demonstrated that the barrier between young and old, professional and amateur is indeed a largely artificial one.”

All of the young singers involved rose to the challenge and produced a very memorable performance to a full house at Exeter Cathedral. Thank you to Gabrieli Roar for bringing this initiative to Devon and well done to everyone involved.

Ermington children were outstanding and we would love to give them some recognition for their dedication and hard work with this music project.

Initial Teacher Training 

The WeST Training Institute are excited to announce the launch of our Initial Teacher Training (ITT) Programme, starting in September 2025, in partnership with Ambition Institute. For those who would like to explore the incredibly rewarding world of teaching, we are hosting an online webinar on Wednesday 18 December from 4pm - 5pm, with our Executive Director for Training and Learning, Amy Pearce. During this session, Amy will provide an in-depth introduction to the Secondary Initial Teacher Training Programme starting in September 2025.

The webinar will highlight its innovative approach, tailored support, and the exceptional training experience offered through the WeST Training Institute. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about what makes our programme unique and how it will equip you with the skills and confidence to excel as a teacher. Please email us to secure your space.

In the meantime, you can find out more about the programme and how to apply here: Westcountry Schools Trust - Train to Teach (ITT)

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Early-Career Payments for eligible teachers

Eligible chemistry, languages, mathematics and physics teachers can apply to the DFE directly for early-career payments between October and March.

You can can apply from 14 October to 31 March for the 2024 to 2025 academic year.

For more information, please visit: 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/early-career-payments-guidance-for-teachers-and-schools

Do Good December

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Recruitment update:

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

   Eggbuckland Community College are looking to appoint Casual Exam Invigilators. As an invigilator, you will assist examination staff with their examination processes. This activity may include setting up examination venues by laying out stationery, equipment and examination papers in accordance with strict procedures. For more information on the above vacancy please click here. Closing date: 9 January 2025.

Coombe Dean School are looking to fill the following vacancies: 

Caretaker - You will be an exceptional team player and be truly customer focused and driven to deliver for the stakeholders of the School. Closing date: 16 December 2024. 

Subject Leader of Maths - The core purpose of the role is to ensure a high quality curriculum within Maths that is implemented expertly and consistently and to take an active role in the wider leadership of the school in pursuit of our key development and improvement priorities. Closing date: 28 February 2025. 

Cover and Behaviour Inclusion Supervisor - To work alongside the Cover and Behaviour Inclusion Lead and the Year Team Leaders, within the Inclusion Team, with a focus on supporting students particularly those who are identified as having barriers to their learning and progress. Closing date: 16 December 2024. 

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

Ivybridge Community College are looking to fill the following vacancies: 

Casual Examinations 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. Closing date: 18 July 2025. 

Cover Supervisor – PE or General - 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: 16 December 2024. 

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

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