Westcountry Schools Trust Parent Portal

Dear Colleagues,

It was a real privilege to visit St Teath Primary School this week and officially open the new EYFS and KS1 facilities in the autumn sunshine. The children were brimming with enthusiasm, and it was inspiring to see how the new provision has created a natural flow across all Key Stages. The site now feels even more cohesive, with preschool children and staff fully part of the main school, giving every child a strong sense of belonging to St Teath. The extended outdoor provision and new learning snug area will enrich both learning and play for years to come. A huge thank you to everyone who helped bring this exciting project to life. It is a great example of how, together, we are creating environments where children can thrive.

Our collective focus on high-quality teaching and learning was again reinforced through the latest RWInc training session for primary colleagues. These sessions are much more than training; they are part of a shared commitment to ensuring every child makes a strong start in reading. It was fantastic to witness the high levels of engagement, collaboration, and reflective practice. By equipping staff with confidence, consistency, and evidence-based strategies, we are building firm foundations that will benefit children for years to come.

On Tuesday, we also launched our first mentor training for new ECT mentors. This marked the beginning of their journey in supporting Early Career Teachers. The session explored the principles of the Early Career Framework and Ambition Institute’s programme, with a clear focus on instructional coaching. Mentors discussed how to identify high-leverage actions, foster weekly developmental interactions, and build professional growth through collaboration. Seeing colleagues share experiences and learn from one another reminded me once again that our strength lies in our collective endeavour. By supporting new teachers well, we are investing in the future of both our Trust and the profession more broadly.

This week also brought together our secondary Raising Standards Leaders from across WeST. Led by Naveed Khan, our Director of Education, the session focused on sustaining momentum in Years 11 and 13 while setting ambitious priorities for 2025–26. We celebrated the impressive progress already achieved and explored strategies that work: embedding high-quality direct instruction, pushing attainment at the highest levels, and securing equity for disadvantaged pupils. It was inspiring to hear about Ivybridge Community College’s “Finish Line Strategy” and how it mobilises staff around the needs of every student right up to the exam hall. Other schools showcased their own decisive approaches, always holding firm to inclusion while raising expectations. This session captured what we do best as a Trust, sharing what works, learning from each other, and applying collective energy to drive improvement.

Meanwhile, our HR Matters session reminded us that people are at the heart of everything we do. Conversations centred on building strong, positive cultures in which every colleague feels valued and supported. Whether through clear communication, high-quality professional development, or robust staff wellbeing, we know that supporting our teams ultimately benefits the children we serve. Thank you to all our HR professionals for their expertise and tireless commitment—you are key to sustaining our collective success.

As we close another busy week, I want to thank you all for the difference you are making. The evidence is clear in our classrooms, our staffrooms, and our communities: we are impacting positively on the lives of children. We are doing things that work, and we are doing them together. By celebrating our successes, sharing our learning, and maintaining our collective drive, I am confident that we will continue to reach new heights.

Wishing you all a restful and well-deserved weekend.

Rob

Rob Haring

CEO