I start this ‘Whistle’ by recognising and celebrating your significant efforts in securing such a fantastic response to our full reopening. Children’s attendance has been far higher than originally anticipated with some schools experiencing 100% attendance. The national average for secondary is 89% (of those eligible for attendance) and primary is 94% - WeST attendance is higher in both regards!

As we commence the second week of full reopening, we do so with all of our secondary students in school having successfully completed a series of LFD tests.

A massive 'thank you' to everyone involved in ensuring our LFD test centres ran as smoothly as they did whilst under huge demand and pressure. Hopefully, we are now ‘over the hump’ of initial excessive demand and able to settle into routine testing as required.

I think we are reaching the point where we are able to maintain our vigilance of health and safety matters and COVID-19 awareness whilst being able to re-engage more substantially with our school improvement work.

In terms of school leadership, WeST is actively involved in two strands of work. Externally, we are a founding partner of SW100 with the goal of working with 100 potential SW headteachers over the next five years. If you are interested in finding our more do have a look at this link. 

The second strand is our internal work on further developing our common values and associated professional behaviours. As opportunities arise in your school please do join in and contribute to the shaping of our values.

We are continuing to ‘moor alongside’ Eggbuckland Community College and Austin Farm Primary School as we move our potential merger forward. Hopefully, this will see some of our network groups expand to include new colleagues.

Best wishes, 

Rob Haring, CEO

Continuing recent articles to introduce the School Improvement Team, this week sees the spotlight fall on Jenni Bindon, Secondary Learning Practioner: Modern Foreign Languages :-

Jenni’s love of languages led her to read MFL at the University of Essex, followed by further study at the University of Cambridge. Having successfully completed her PGCE, she continued to achieve an M.Ed in Research Practice.

Her early teaching career saw her teach in Cambridgeshire before moving back to Devon in 2009 where she spent 7 years at Plymstock School, which refined her experience with various responsibilities for teaching and learning in French and German.

Fast forward to 2017, Jenni was thrilled to start her role as Lead Practitioner for MFL at Ivybridge Community College, re-joining the school where she had studied as a pupil and had such a positive personal experience.

The nature of this unique role has allowed Jenni to focus on teaching and learning, as well as drive for improvement. Towards the end of Jenni's second year, she was excited to be able to extend this work through her appointment as MFL Lead Practitioner for WeST.

At WeST, Jenni has further become committed to development with a synergy of thinking and an open attitude which reflect her passion and energy for her subject.

Jenni Bindon, Secondary Learning Practioner Modern Foreign Languages 

Recruitment update:

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

Headteacher for Sherford Vale School -WeST is seeking to appoint an exceptional individual with vision, energy and inspirational leadership to the position of Headteacher at Sherford Vale School, Plymouth. The headteacher will have overall responsibility for the organisation, management and conduct of the school. You will provide leadership and assist with the delivery of the WeST strategic direction to ensure the achievement of the highest possible standards of education at Sherford Vale Primary School. For more information, please email hgreaves@westst.org.uk or go to our website here for further information. Closing date: 12:00pm Monday 22 March 2021. Interviews will be held 29 and 30 March 2021. 

Plymstock School have the following vacancies:-

HEAD OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES – required from September 2021 - TLR1A. Plymstock are seeking to appoint a well-qualified and enthusiastic teacher to lead their thriving Religious Studies Department. The successful candidate will have the commitment, energy and vision to lead Religious Studies throughout the ability range at KS3, GCSE at KS4 and GCE at KS5. Closing date: 9am - Monday 22 March 2021. Interview date: Wednesday 31 March 2021. 

HEAD OF ENGLISH – required from September 2021- TLR1C. Plymstock are seeking to appoint an exceptional and inspiring Head of English, with a passion for the successful education and well-being of young people. The successful candidate will have the commitment, energy and vision to lead the English Department. Closing date: 9am Monday 22 March 2021. Interview date: Monday 29 March 2021. 

TEACHING ASSISTANT 1:1 Support (F/Term until 31 August 2021) Required as soon as possible. Fixed Term until 31 August 2021 – 20 hours per week x 39 weeks per year. Grade B (SCP 3-4 £18,562 - £18,933) Actual salary £8,592 - £8,764. Plymstock are looking to recruit a Teaching Assistant to work on a 1 to 1 basis with a student, supporting them in accessing learning activities as directed by the Teacher.  The successful candidate will have excellent communication skills, along with high levels of commitment and enthusiasm. Closing date: 9am Friday 19 March 2021. Interview date: To be confirmed. 

ICT NETWORK MANAGER - required as soon as possible. Permanent - 37 hours per week x All year round (52 weeks). Grade G (SCP 26-29) £30,451 to £32,910. Plymstock are looking to recruit an ICT Network Manager to develop and implement the ICT service and support function for the school collaboratively with Westcountry Schools Trust (WeST), as required by the Senior management team. The postholder will manage the optimisation of the day to day delivery of ICT services and support through a managed service model. Closing date: 9am - Tuesday 20 April 2021. Interview date: Thursday 29 April 2021.  

For further information please visit Plymstock's website here.

Dunstone Primary School are seeking to appoint a skilled Teaching Assistant to be part of our very supportive, hardworking and successful team in April 2021 with the exciting opportunity to join us in our relocation to Morley Meadow Primary in September 2021. Further information is available through the website here.  Part time - Permanent Contract – Salary/Grade C, 20 hours per week, 39 weeks per year. Dunstone Primary School is committed to safeguarding children in our care and any successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.  The closing date for applications is noon on Friday 19th March 2021. Proposed start date 19th April 2021.

Oreston Community Academy have the following vacancies:-

Oreston Community Academy are looking for a 1:1 Teaching Assistant for their onsite Nursery, who is enthusiastic, a good team player and committed to supporting the learning of pupils with additional needs. Temporary Fixed Term for the summer term in the first instance from the 19th April. Hours: 11.30am-3pm (approximately) Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Salary/Grade C £19,312 - £20,092 (actual salary £6,206 - £6,457). This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. To apply for this position, please visit Oreston's website here for further information and send a completed application form to admin@oreston.com. Closing date:  Tuesday 23rd March at 9am. Interview date: Tuesday 30th March. 

Class Teacher Vacancies Required for September 2021:-

  • Full Time Permanent – MPS 1-6 
  • Full Time Temporary One Year Fixed Term MPS 1-6

Oreston Community Academy are also looking to appoint enthusiastic and motivated Class Teachers.  These are on a full-time permanent basis or full-time fixed term temporary contract for one year. To apply for either position, please complete an application form that can be found on the school website here and send completed application forms to admin@oreston.com. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. Closing date: Tuesday 20th April at 9.00am. Interview date:  Wednesday 28th April. 

South Dartmoor Community College and the Atrium have the following vacancies:-

Head of Modern Foreign Languages - This is a full time, permanent position. The successful candidate will work closely with the Senior team and fellow Heads of Departments to deliver high quality lessons and opportunities to Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 students. For more information and to apply for this post, please visit here. Closing date: Monday 22 March 2021 at 8.00 am. Interviews will be held during the week beginning Monday 29 March 2021.

Director of Keystage - This is a full time, permanent position, with the Key Stage (3 or 4) to be determined on appointment. The successful candidate will work closely with the Senior team, Heads of Department and Year Leaders to ensure every student reaches his/her full potential. The successful candidate will be a hard-working individual; a teacher with high expectations and an unwavering determination to get the best outcomes for students. For more information and to apply for this post, please visit here. Closing date: Friday 26 March 2021 at 8.00 am. Interviews will be held during the week beginning Monday 29 March 2021.

Assistant Head Teacher - This exciting opportunity has arisen through the new, closer affiliation of the two schools and the continued drive to raise standards. The role will suit an experienced middle or senior leader with an aspiration to progress ultimately to Headship. S/He needs to be able to demonstrate exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills, as well as a clear vision for the role. The successful candidate will have considerable experience leading high performing teams and achieving the very best student outcomes. For more information and to apply for this post, please visit here. Closing date: Friday 26 March 2021, 8.00am. Interviews will be held during the week beginning Monday 29 March 2021.

PA to the Executive Head Teacher and HR Assistant - South Dartmoor Community College and the Atrium are seeking to appoint a highly organised, enthusiastic and hard-working individual to work with the new Executive Head teacher. This is a full time, permanent post, starting as soon as possible. The successful candidate will take pride in what they do and have great team working and communication skills; someone who is able to liaise with all stakeholders in order to provide the best possible service. For more information and to apply for this post, please visit here. Closing Date: Monday 22 March 2021, 8.00am. 

South Dartmoor Community College & the Atrium are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will require an enhanced DBS check.

Stowford School are looking to appoint a Teacher. Stowford are looking for someone to join their team who will teach full time and demonstrate passion and enthusiasm for achieving both the best for the children in their class and playing their part in our successful staff team on our forward journey.  The role is specifically to support the school in COVID catch up. Please go to the website here for more information. Closing date:  9am on Thursday 25th March 2021.  Interviews will be held on Tuesday 30th March 2021.  Stowford are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS disclosure is required for this post.

STAFF STATUS FORM REMINDER

You will recently have received an email from your school/college/business unit providing a link to your local version of the refreshed staff status form. Thank you to all of you who have completed a form.

If you have not already done so please complete the new version even if you don’t think your availability status has changed. We want to ensure that schools/colleges/business units across the Trust have an up to date form from all staff.  It will help with their plans and inform safe systems of work.

Please then use the link again to provide an update each time your availability status changes.

The refreshed form also asks you to indicate your vaccination status. This is an optional question and responses will only be used to inform safe systems of work across the Trust.  Summary data only will be used to update WeST Trustees, trade unions and other stakeholders as appropriate and no personal information or location will be shared with them.

Thank you for your help with this. 

22 Mar 2021
Headteacher for Sherford Vale School
The Westcountry Schools Trust (WeST) is seeking to appoint an exceptional individual with vision, energy and inspirational leadership to the position of Headteacher at Sherford Vale School, Plymouth.
Read more

Director of Inclusion update

Many of you will be aware of the Education Endowment Fund and their excellent series of guidance reports. However, finding time to read the reports amongst the busyness of life can be a challenge! The EEF has just started a 6-part ‘bitesize’ summary of its Improving Behaviour in Schools report. You can sign-up to have these emails direct to your inbox for a regular, ‘chunked’ reminder of their recommendations by clicking here.

As staff and pupils return to schools some will be struggling with the impact of the coronavirus crisis. Public Health England has made the globally-recognised Psychological First Aid Training freely available. The short online course is an excellent reminder of how we can all support those around us by knowing how to Prepare, Look, Listen and Link.

If you are looking for materials to support the wellbeing of pupils then the Anna Freud Centre is an excellent place to start. By registering with Mentally Healthy Schools you can begin to curate your own bank of resources as you explore the materials on the website.

Richard Woodland - Director of Inclusion

Year 6/7 Transition: The Covid-19 Challenge 

Click here to find an article from Coombe Dean School with helpful information on how the transition from Primary to Secondary can go as smoothly as possible, without the students being in school. For more information on Educational Transitions, please go here. 

A message from our Cycle to Work provider

Electrify your spring rides with the latest Cyclescheme competition. 

Cyclescheme, our cycle to work scheme provider, has teamed up with Islabikes to give away a brand-new eJanis bike RRP £2,699!

The competition is open to all employees. For your chance to win, enter online before the 22nd March 2021 using the link below. Just scroll down to find the entry form and T&Cs. 

www.cyclescheme.co.uk/community/featured/competition

Good luck!

Staff Survey – February 2021

Thank you to everyone who participated in the recent whole Trust staff survey! We are pleased to confirm a 40% response rate from 765 colleagues and around 900 comments to share feedback with the Executive Team and Senior Leaders.

You may be aware that in previous Wednesday Whistle articles we have shared a summary of the key questions / responses.

We have now been able to complete a review of all comments. From this we have been able to identify key themes and are pleased to share a summary report for information. 

We will now be working with the Executive Team / Senior Leaders / Trust Board on developing an action plan and anticipate sharing this in coming weeks to shape the culture of wellbeing at WeST.

Many thanks, HR Team.

Follow us on Social Media for the latest updates:

 

The Department for Health and Social Care is consulting with women and organisations who represent women on their experiences of the health care system and the impact of these on their life and work.  As an employer of a large number of women, Westcountry Schools Trust will be responding to this consultation.  We wanted to signpost you to this opportunity to provide feedback to the Department.

The Department says “We are seeking your views to help inform the development of the government’s Women’s Health Strategy. This call for evidence is seeking to collect views on women’s health. It will run for a period of 12 weeks and is open to everyone aged 16 and over. The easiest way to participate in the call for evidence as an individual is by completing the public survey. We also welcome written submissions from individuals or organisations who have expertise in women’s health, such as researchers and third-sector organisations. This consultation closes at 11:45pm on 30 May 2021.”

After completing the survey which launched on 8 March 2021, Fiona MacLachlan-Morris, HR Business Partner, said “I have never been given the opportunity to provide feedback to the Department for Health and Social Care on my own difficult experience following multiple miscarriages and I was able to do so here.  I was also able to provide positive feedback around other areas of women’s health and the support I received.”

If you would like to add your voice to this important piece of research, the link is here. The survey takes less than ten minutes to complete.