Welcome back to the Summer Term. I suggest that we do so with a good slice of optimism. Whilst we must remain cautious and vigilant around our system of controls in dealing with coronavirus, we seem to be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. We have become accustomed to our new structures and routines and now have a degree of experience upon which we can call when necessary.

I hope that the Easter break has given everyone the chance to take some time away from the pressures of school and the opportunity to recharge emotional and physical batteries.

As we welcome our children back for the term ahead we do so with a focus on a few key aspects. I wish to offer an early signpost to forthcoming priorities and activities: 

  • Promoting excellent attendance.
  • An ever present vigilance on safeguarding.
  • A keen eye on our vulnerable children in school and line of sight to those we are yet to see return.
  • End of Year Teacher Assessment that provides a fair reflection of each child’s knowledge acquisition through the curriculum.
  • Ruth Woodhouse is leading and coordinating WeST’s implementation of the Early Career Framework (ECF) and our relationship with Teach First.
  • We are continuing the work on our values and associated professional behaviours. Please watch out for more details in this regard. 
  • WeST’s forthcoming curriculum leadership training programme is taking shape.
  • This term will see the exciting development for WeST of Austin Farm Primary School and Eggbuckland Community College formally joining us.
  • We eagerly await the formal opening of Morley Meadow Primary School.
  • I am thrilled to announce that Bradley Simmons is joining WeST’s SI team in the Autumn Term. He will bring with him a wealth of expertise and knowledge. More details to follow.
  • On a personal level I am very much looking forward to meeting many of you in person as I visit your schools in the coming weeks.

Good luck for the term ahead. 

Best wishes, 

Rob Haring, CEO

Continuing recent articles to introduce the School Improvement Team, this week sees the spotlight fall on Kim Tamlin, Secondary Learning Practitioner: History:-

Following Kim’s successful graduation from Cardiff University - BA (Hons) History - she completed her PGCE at the University of Exeter. Remaining in the SW Kim joined the History Department at Ivybridge Community College, which led to her undertaking a pastoral role, followed by Assistant Head of Department which subsequently led to eight years as Head of History. During this time Kim helped lead the History Subject Network for SWTSA and was a member of the PiXL History Executive. 

Kim joined the WeST School Improvement Team in 2019 as Lead Practitioner for History. 

Kim Tamlin, Secondary Learning Practitioner, History. 

Financial Support

Money worries can affect anyone at any time. The ongoing pandemic has brought additional pressures for many.

Did you know that the Money Advice Service provides a range of online guides and calculators? Its free to use and facilitated by the Department for Works and Pensions. They also offer online, WhatsApp, and telephone support for a personal and confidential discussion.

Visit: https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en

Support available includes:

  • Advice and guides to help improve your finances
  • Tools and calculators to help keep track and plan ahead
  • Support over the phone and online

The resources cover a wide range of financial areas from debts and borrowing, to financial planning, to housing, cars, insurances, and more! In addition, the partner site of Pension Wise is able to provide general state pension provision information at https://www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk/. If you are looking for specific company pension information you may wish to visit:

https://www.peninsulapensions.org.uk/ (LGPS)

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/cornwall-pension-fund/ (LGPS)

https://www.teacherspensions.co.uk/ (TPS)

Did you know that you may be able to access grant support too? Or perhaps you may know a former staff member from education who needs a little support? There are a range of schemes providing financial grants for personal circumstances which don’t need to be repaid. Full details of current schemes are on the Staff Portal.

A big welcome to all of our new starters.

The Summer term has brought more new faces to the schools and business units across the Trust. We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you all to WeST and hope you are beginning to settle in.

As part of the Trust aim of continual improvement, if you have started a new post with the Trust since 1st February 2021 we would be interested to know about your experience of the selection process that led to your first day with us.

We would therefore appreciate it if you would spend a few minutes completing the anonymous form by clicking here or via the QR code above by 31st May 2021. Please also look out for an email in the next couple of weeks with the link in if it is easier for you to access from there.

If you would like to discuss this or encounter any problems opening the form please contact the HR Team at hr@westst.org.uk.

The Learning Institute has just issued its March newsletter which includes information about the TLI's programmes, including degrees, teacher training, apprenticeships, CPD and current research projects.

To view this latest edition of the newsletter, please click here.

WeST Cyber Security Guide

You may have heard lately in the news that there has been an increase in IT hacking attempts and success of hackers penetrating organisations IT defences. Although attacks tend to be random, schools are at the front line as with other organisations. Every one of us need to be vigilant in our own IT security in terms of changing our passwords, having a strong password and recognising a phishing email. This is important both in work and at home and the principles can be shared with your friends and family. 

The document attached will take less than 5 minutes to read and could save your school from an IT attack, that can result in loss of data, high costs in disaster recovery and in the worst case, a school closure. Only by all working together can we have a collective defence against the hackers.

After reading the document can I ask that you consider your password- have you changed it recently (within 90 days)? Is it a strong password? IF you cannot say yes to both of these then please do change it and help protect us all.

Did you know that April is stress awareness month? 

Research from the Stress Management Society shows that 65% of people have felt more stressed since the COVID-19 restrictions began in March 2020 and the Mental Health Foundation shows that in the last year, 74% of UK adults have at some point felt so stressed that they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope.

Able Features have created some resources which you may find useful: 

  • A 30 day challenge which you can find here. This can help challenge can create positive distractions and help you to look after yourself so that you may be able to cope with the impact of stress. 
  • Join the Able Futures webinar at 11am on 22nd April. This webinar will explain how stress can affect us in the workplace, and how managers and individuals can respond to reduce stress and improve mental wellbeing. 
  • Visit the Able Features website for more useful information about looking after yourself and your mental wellbeing if you are experiencing stress as well as apply for nine month support to help you through the rest of the year while lockdown is still easing. 

Call ABLE Futures on 0800 321 3137 for more support. 

The Devon Faith and Belief Forum is holding a virtual meeting on 8th July with Sara Khan, Lead Commissioner for the Home Office Commission for Countering Extremism, which may be of interest to you.

The Commission has recently published the report “Operating with Impunity - Hateful extremism: The need for a legal framework”.   

Sara Khan will speak on the theme of  “The threat of hateful extremism: the important role of faith leaders”.

Further information and a booking link can be found here.

Recruitment update:

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

Plymstock School are looking for the following vacancies:

Data Manager - Required for as soon as possible. Permanent – 37 hours pw x 41 weeks pa (includes 2 mandatory weeks during the summer holidays for exams results weeks). Salary – Grade E - Plymouth SCP 15 - 20  (Actual pro-rata salary £21,194 - £23,400) (FTE Salary £23,541 – £25,991). Plymstock have an exciting opportunity for a talented and highly experienced Data Manager to join their school, taking responsibility for gathering, interpreting and presenting student data using our MIS system, SIMS. Closing Date: 9am – Friday 23 April 2021. Interview Date: To be confirmed. 

Teacher of English – Required from September 2021. Due to promotion, Plymstock are seeking to appoint a talented, dynamic and hardworking English teacher to join their thriving and well-resourced department from September 2021. Applications are welcomed from newly qualified teachers and experienced teachers. Closing date:  Thursday 29 April 2021. Interviews: Friday 7 May 2021. 

Caretaker (multi-site) - required as soon as possible. Permanent – 37 hours per week x All year round (52 weeks)   Grade C (SCP 5 - 7 ) £19,312 - £20,092. Plymstock are looking to recruit a Caretaker to join our Premises Team, undertaking maintenance tasks both reactive and planned, as directed by the Premises Manager. The successful candidate will undertake inspections of the school and resolve any findings as well as being responsible for security lockdown and opening of the school premises. Closing Date: 9am – Friday 30 April 2021. Interview Date: To be confirmed. 

HEAD OF SOCIAL SCIENCE – Required from September 2021. Due to the retirement of the previous postholder, a vacancy has arisen for an exceptional and inspiring Head of Social Science, who will have a passion for the successful education and well-being of young people. The successful candidate will have the commitment, energy and vision to lead their Social Science Department. Closing Date: Wednesday 28 April 2021. Interview Date: To be confirmed. 

TEACHER OF ART, CRAFT & DESIGN - 0.5FTE – Required from September 2021. Plymstock are seeking to appoint an Art, Craft and Design teacher who clearly demonstrates a passion for their subject and will consistently strive to support all students in fulfilling their potential. This new post has arisen due to a flexible working pattern being granted for the existing postholder. Closing Date: Friday 30 April 2021. Interview Date: Tuesday 11 May 2021. 

For further information please visit Plymstock's website here. 

South Dartmoor and the Atrium are looking for a 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: Friday 23 April 2021 at 8.00 am. Interviews will be held during the week beginning Monday 26 April 2021. 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.

Chaddlewood Primary School would like to recruit a Primary Teacher for a full time position from September 2021. You will have the drive and enthusiasm to provide the best possible learning opportunities, inside and outside of the classroom, for our children. If you can enrich our teaching team with enthusiasm, ideas and a passion for making children’s school experience exciting and challenging then we would welcome your application. Please visit our website here for further details and a downloadable application form. Closing date: Friday 30th April 2021 at 9am. Interviews will be held in the week beginning 17th May 2021. Chaddlewood is committed to safer recruitment of teachers and the welfare of our children. Any offer of a post is subject to excellent references and an enhanced DBS check.

EYFS Class Teacher. Full Time Permanent – Salary/Grade: MPS/UPS. Required for September 2021. Are you looking to join a creative and very supportive team who work together to provide an exciting and enriching curriculum for highly engaged and motivated children? Glen Park Primary are looking for someone to join their highly successful Early Years team. This is a great opportunity for either an experienced Early Years practitioner or someone who is seeking their first teaching experience within a nurturing and thriving early years environment. Visits to the school to find out more about what we can offer, are recommended and most welcome. To arrange a visit, please contact the school office on 01752 339073. An application form and further details can be found on our website here. Closing date: noon on Wednesday 28th April. Glen Park Primary is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.

Oreston Community Academy are looking to appoint an enthusiastic, motivated and experienced Teaching Assistant to become a member of their friendly and supportive school team. This role will include working in a Key Stage 2 class supporting the needs of all children as well as delivering learning to small groups of children. There are also opportunities to work in the before and after school provision and holiday club if desired. To apply for this position, please complete an application form that can be found on the school website here. Please send completed application form to admin@oreston.com. Closing date: Friday 23rd April 12 noon. Interview date: Friday 30th April. Oreston Community Academy 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.

Hele's School are looking to appoint a Head of Religious Studies and SMSC - MPS/UPS + TLR 1A for September 2021. An exciting opportunity exists for an exceptional candidate with the energy, creativity and commitment to lead our RS Department and whole school Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural programme at Hele’s School. Further information is available through the website here and prospective applicants are encouraged to visit the school for a tour. Please contact Karl Fonseca (Assistant Principal) via fonseca@heles.plymouth.sch.uk to arrange a visit. Closing Date: 9am, Thursday 6th May 2021. Interviews are scheduled for Tuesday 11th May 2021. Hele’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare of children and young people; therefore, all posts will be subject to a satisfactory DBS Enhanced Disclosure.

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