{item_alt_tag}

Dear Colleagues, 

Colleagues,

As we move deeper into the spring term, the energy across our Trust has been unmistakable. This week has brought moments of celebration, national recognition, ambitious teaching, and strong community spirit. I am pleased to bring these highlights together for you.

 

A New Beginning for Early Years: Boringdon Preschool Opens

On Monday, I had the privilege of officially opening the new Boringdon Preschool. With a generous turnout that included former CEO Rob Haring, local councillors, the developers, and Headteacher Matt Stace, this was a heartfelt celebration of what can be achieved when a community believes in its youngest learners.

The new facility is spacious, bright, and purpose built to nurture creative learning through play. We already have 14 children enroled, with capacity for more, and I was struck by the excitement from families and staff alike. This preschool will be a cornerstone for early years provision in the Plympton area for many years to come.

National Recognition for Our Schools

We received uplifting news this week from the Secretary of State for Education, who wrote personally to several of our schools to congratulate them on their excellent outcomes for disadvantaged pupils.

The recognised schools are:

  • Camelford Community Primary School
  • Chaddlewood Primary School
  • Coombe Dean School
  • Glen Park Primary School
  • Ivybridge Community College
  • Stowford School
  • Woodford Primary School

The letter captures what we know to be true. Your ambition, expertise, and care change children’s life chances every day. While recognition is not our goal, it is always heartening to see your impact acknowledged nationally.

Trust wide Developments and Strategic Progress

Our wider organisational work continues with clear momentum.

  • Callington School site: Productive discussions with the Department for Education continued regarding potential partial or full rebuilding. We remain firmly in the School Rebuilding Programme pipeline and will continue advocating for the best possible outcome for the community.
  • New trustees: Several new trustees are joining our Board, bringing varied professional backgrounds that will strengthen strategic oversight.
  • Director of Education (Primary): Recruitment has now launched for this important role.
  • Chief Operations Officer: Interviews are scheduled for Monday, and we are confident in a strong field.
  • Major IT investment: Trustees have secured significant additional funding to upgrade our digital infrastructure, ensuring we are future ready and well positioned to leverage AI to enhance practice and efficiency.

All of these developments strengthen our ability to support high quality education and operational excellence across the Trust.

Life Across Our Schools: A Rich and Varied Week

This week’s activity across WeST reflects creativity, ambition, and strong community connection.

Creativity and Curriculum in Action

At Ashburton Primary, Year 3 pupils explored Oliver and the Sea Wigs, designing imaginative sea wig creations and hosting a guest judge to celebrate their work. Year 2 pupils experimented with expressive painting techniques, developing their understanding of colour, texture, and mark making.

At Chaddlewood Primary, Foundation pupils learned outdoors, building cosy homes for teddy bears and embarking on a bear hunt as part of their storytelling and nature exploration. Year 4 pupils enjoyed a memorable visit to the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Exeter Cathedral, deepening their historical learning.

Sherford Vale’s younger learners have continued their historical enquiry into the Great Fire of London, strengthening early investigative skills and curiosity.

Healthy Living and Community Connection

Ashburton Year 1 pupils enjoyed healthy snacks prepared by students from Fieldstone School, bringing together cross-school collaboration and learning about wellbeing.

Morley Meadow continued its positive community spirit through a school lottery that recently produced a delighted local winner, raising funds to support future opportunities for pupils.

Celebrating Student Leadership and Character

At Coombe Dean, student netball leaders supported officiating at the Primary Netball Bees Tournament, impressing both staff and younger pupils with their leadership. The school also hosted a successful second-hand book sale in support of the WeCare CSW Group, showing how small actions can have a meaningful impact.

Eggbuckland Community College celebrated Students of the Week across all year groups, promoted reading recommendations, and reinforced safeguarding messages through a focused bulletin on aerosol safety. These consistent routines play a vital role in shaping character and culture.

Sporting Highlights and Determination

Ivybridge Community College celebrated an excellent performance from Eva Isserlis at the National Under-14 girls finals, where she finished just outside the podium positions following a determined and skilful performance.

At Plymstock School, sporting opportunities continue to thrive, including indoor cricket competitions and an oversubscribed Surf Club with only a handful of spaces remaining. Year 11 pupils are closing in on their collective SPARX target, demonstrating resilience and commitment.

Academic Focus and Enrichment

Year 9 pupils at Plymstock engage thoughtfully with their curriculum choice process, supported by clear assemblies and communication with families. Meanwhile, extracurricular Latin students continue to show impressive dedication through Friday after-school revision sessions.

At Sir James Smith’s, the school recognised high attendance and celebrated achievement through rewards and Headteacher commendations.

Community Challenges and Adaptability

St Teath, demonstrated calm leadership and professionalism during a multi-day power outage. Communications were clear and measured, illustrating how schools rise to unexpected challenges with care and clarity.

School Visits and Reflections

This week I spent time at Plymstock School, where the sense of purpose becomes clearer with every visit. Over the past 18 to 24 months, the pace of improvement has been striking. I was also pleased to spend time with colleagues in maths at Ivybridge, where expertise and a shared drive for excellence were evident throughout lessons.

Closing Thoughts

This week captures what makes WeST a thriving Trust. Every day you bring energy, care, ambition, and skill to your work. Whether opening a new preschool, supporting revision after hours, guiding families through disruption, or celebrating pupils in small but meaningful ways, each of you contributes to the remarkable ecosystem our children benefit from.

Thank you for everything you do. I hope you find time for rest and restoration this weekend.

Warmest regards

Nat Parnell 
CEO 

A message from Bridget Phillipson

Dear Colleague,


Congratulations to you and your team on the excellent outcomes the disadvantaged pupils at your school achieved at the end of the 2024/25 academic year. Your school’s performance places it among the very best nationally, and this is a significant achievement.

This success reflects the dedication of your staff and the hard work of your pupils. It shows what can be achieved when ambition and commitment come together. Thank you for everything you do to give children the best possible opportunities to succeed.

Your school’s achievements demonstrate what is possible, and I hope you will continue to share your experience and best practice with others. Even the strongest schools can go further. We encourage you to lead the way as a system leader - sharing effective practice, championing networks, supporting collaboration, and helping raise standards across the sector.

There are real opportunities available for you to support improvement for a wider group of pupils including through:

  • engaging actively with your region’s RISE networks and partnering with nearby schools and trusts;

  • contributing to regional roundtables and professional communities to spread the approaches that are working in your context; and

  • sustaining excellence by continuing to focus on disadvantaged pupils


Please pass on my thanks and congratulations to your staff and pupils. I look forward to working with you as we strive together to raise standards for all.

Yours sincerely,

Bridget Phillipson

Secretary of State for Education

{item_alt_tag}
{item_alt_tag}
{item_alt_tag}
{item_alt_tag}
{item_alt_tag}
{item_alt_tag}

Happier January

{item_alt_tag}
{item_alt_tag}
{item_alt_tag}
{item_alt_tag}
{item_alt_tag}
{item_alt_tag}
{item_alt_tag}
{item_alt_tag}

To view all vacancies within Westcountry Schools Trust, please click here.

{item_alt_tag}