Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to this week’s edition of the Weekly Whistle!
It has been another busy, vibrant and purposeful week across WeST, with professional learning and sector collaboration very much at the forefront. Our teams have been working at real pace, and it has been wonderful to see colleagues engaging so fully with the opportunities on offer.
A particular highlight has been the launch of our Autumn cohorts for NPQEYL (Early Years Leadership) and NPQLT (Leading Teaching). These programmes represent an important investment in developing leadership talent across our schools, strengthening both classroom practice and wider strategic capacity. The energy and commitment shown by participants has been inspiring, and it is heartening to see so many colleagues stepping forward to deepen their expertise and contribute to a strong pipeline of future leaders.
My sincere thanks go to the WeST Training Institute team, facilitators, and school hosts whose hard work ensures each session is well organised, high quality, and rooted in real practice. The impact of this professional development will continue to ripple across our classrooms and communities long after the final sessions conclude.
Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting Chiltern Learning Trust in Luton alongside Naveed Khan, Director of Education. It was a valuable opportunity to observe another high-performing trust at scale, and to explore parallels in leadership, culture, and school improvement. What stood out was the professionalism, warmth, and moral purpose that underpin their work—qualities that strongly echo our own WeST values. These outward-facing visits are powerful reminders that we grow stronger through collaboration, shared learning, and honest professional dialogue.
We look forward to welcoming Chiltern colleagues to WeST shortly and continuing this productive relationship as we work together to secure the very best for every child we serve.
To close this week’s edition of the ‘Whistle’ we are sad to announce that Tammy has reached the difficult decision to leave Ashburton at the end of this term to explore new challenges. She has asked that we pass on the following message.
“It has been an incredible privilege to have worked alongside such dedicated staff and wonderful students. I will always look back fondly on our time together at Ashburton Primary School. I am also deeply grateful for the support and partnership of the entire school community. Your commitment has been instrumental in the success we have achieved.
A massive big thank you to the whole team (children, parents, staff and the local community) and I wish you all the best for the future”.
Best wishes,
Rob Haring
CEO
WeST Football Staff Club – Expressions of Interest
Ashburton Primary school is seeking to appoint a Year 6 Teacher. 
Westcountry Schools Trust is seeking a dynamic Chief Operations Officer to lead and transform operational services across its family of 31 schools in Devon, Plymouth, and Cornwall. The COO will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering the Trust’s operations strategy, ensuring high-quality, efficient, and cohesive support for all schools. Working closely with the CEO and executive team, the COO will drive continuous improvement, foster collaboration, and champion WeST’s core values of collaboration, aspiration, integrity, and compassion. This is an exciting opportunity to make a lasting impact on the education and wellbeing of thousands of children by strengthening the operational foundations that enable great teaching and learning across the Trust. For more information, please click 