I find myself writing this week’s edition of the ‘Whistle’ with a heightened sense of hope and optimism. This positivity is fuelled by a couple of good-news stories and a look over the brow to the start of the Autumn Term.

First the good news. Whether a football fan or not, no-one is going to miss that England are starting to enjoy a very fine run in the Euro 2020 championships. It’s certainly felt a long time in the making which will lead me to another topic shortly.

More good news about WeST colleagues and an opportunity to celebrate the national recognition of some of our super staff. In last Friday’s TES Teaching Awards, we had two silver award winners – the science team at CCC and Rachel Hutchinson at ICC.

Last week also saw the Pearson National Teaching Awards ceremony, and I am thrilled to say that once again a WeST colleague has shone through. Rebekah Harvey, who teaches mathematics at ICC, has won the Pearson National Teaching Award for ‘Outstanding New Teacher of the Year’. Rebekah was nominated by her Year 10 Mathematics students Holly, Antonia, Charlie and Lolita, and they were delighted to hear that she had won this award. They describe her as a “Passionate teacher, who always makes her lessons engaging, strives for the best from her students and has inventive ways of teaching.”

Further cause for celebration: Bathsheba Wells Dion has won a Ted Wragg Prize from Exeter University for her outstanding commitment and sustained excellence through her teacher training programme.

Massive congratulations to all and well done Team WeST.

Returning to the theme of sustained planning for long term benefit, and the theme of development, I am pleased to again signpost our forthcoming Leadership of the Curriculum training programme. This training session is for all WeST primary leaders and teachers. Monday 6th September 2021 will see 274 WeST leaders and teachers come together at the Crowne Plaza in Plymouth, to learn together and engage in module one & two of this substantial training programme.

Back to the more mundane- COVID. As we approach the end of the Summer Term, we are experiencing increasing pockets of infection across Plymouth and the South Hams; it is with this in mind that I ask if you could all please carry on the excellent work you are doing to follow and promote our system of controls.

I would also like to use this time to thank you for your engagement and feedback though the recent WeST Staff Survey. The findings are below, and it’s very important to us to know exactly your thoughts and where we can develop for the better.

Finally, it now seems that all the legal paperwork is complete and that everything is in place for Eggbuckland Community College and Austin Farm Primary School to formally join WeST on Thursday this week. I am sure everyone will extend a warm welcome to our new colleagues tomorrow.

I hope you all have a great week.

Best wishes, 

Rob Haring, CEO

Staff Survey 

Thank you to everyone who participated in the recent whole Trust staff survey! We are pleased to confirm our highest response rate so far at 40.5%! 778 colleagues participated and over 700 comments were submitted to share feedback with the Executive Team and Senior Leaders.

The values data has been extracted to reflect alongside stakeholder feedback and new school feedback (Eggbuckland / Austin Farm). Further details will follow to enable this separate work to be explored and shaped with Trust 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.

TLI Newsletter

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

Please go here to sign up for Discounts For Teachers. 

Recruitment update:

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

Inclusion Support Centre Teaching Assistant to work under the guidance of the Inclusion Support Centre Teacher to provide short term, high quality education and holistic pastoral intervention. This position would work closely with the Inclusion Support Centre Coordinator and Educational Psychologist, the teaching assistant will establish and evaluate the needs of pupils and ensure support programmes are in place, adapted and delivered to achieve the ultimate goal of successful reintegration within their home school. This is a Fixed Term Appointment (01/09/2021 to 31/08/2022). All applications must be submitted by 12 noon on Friday 16th July to rwoodland@westst.org.uk. For further information, please go here. 

South Dartmoor Community College have the following vacancies:

A site caretaker to work alongside the estates team. The successful candidate will be hardworking, self-motivated and enjoy working in a team as well as under their own initiative. You will work along side the Premises Manager in ensuring a clean and safe environment is maintained for our staff, students and visitors. Previous experience within this area and a good standard of practical knowledge would be advantageous. You will be a hard-working individual; with high expectations and an unwavering determination to get the best for students. Closing date: Friday 9 July, 8.00 am.

Behaviour Manager who has a well-developed understanding of strategies to manage and support young people with challenging behaviour in a school environment. This position is ideal if you have a proven ability to manage and motivate young people between the ages of 11-18. The successful candidate will work closely with the Heads of Year and manage the College’s Learning Bridging room, creating opportunities for reflection and repair work. You will be a hard-working individual; with high expectations and an unwavering determination to get the best outcomes for students. Closing Date: Friday 9th July, 8.00 am. 

For more information on these roles, please go here. 

Coombe Dean School are looking for an Apprentice Science Technician. This is an exciting apprentice opportunity to join a successful and friendly team of science staff at Coombe Dean School. Coombe Dean want to appoint a trainee Science Technician who is keen to develop their skills and competence as a Laboratory Technician. You will be; friendly, interested, open, honest, enthusiastic and keen to work closely through science with young people and a range of staff. For more information on this role, please go here. Closing date: 9th July 2021 09:00 AM. 

Plymstock School are looking for the following:

Student Behaviour Improvement Manager – Required from 6 September 2021. The successful candidate will be able to effectively supervise and support students removed from classroom learning and placed in our internal isolation room.  They will support the Heads of Year, Assistant Heads of Year and the Senior Leadership Team in furthering the aims of the school in relation to improving behavior and student progress. This is a permanent, full-time post – 36.25 hours pw x 39 weeks pa. Salary – Grade D - Plymouth SCP 8 - 14  (Actual pro-rata salary £17,194 - £19,365) (FTE Salary £20,493 – £23,080).Closing Date: 9am – Monday 12 July 2021. Interview Date: To be confirmed. 

Examinations Manager - Due to promotion, Plymstock School are seeking a dynamic and highly organised individual to manage their Examinations system.  The successful candidate will be responsible for providing a professional, efficient and highly effective exams system in accordance with set policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation, whilst maintaining high standards and confidentiality at all times. Permanent post - 37 hours pw x 41 weeks pa (mandatory 2 weeks during summer holidays to cover GCSE and A level results days). Salary – Grade E - Plymouth SCP  15 – 20 -  (Actual pro-rata salary £21,194 - £24,400) (FTE Salary £23,541 – £25,991). Closing Date: 9am – Wednesday 7 July 2021. Interview Date: To be confirmed. 

Library Assistant – required from September 2021. Plymstock School are seeking an Assistant to join their dedicated and friendly Library team who are fully committed to the promotion of reading, literacy and information skills across the school. Plymstock aim to support students to become independent lifelong learners. You will possess a genuine love of literature, partnered with the zeal, creativity and drive to inspire a reading culture that develops impassioned life-long readers. This is a permanent, part-time post – 17.5 hours pw x 38 weeks pa. Salary – Grade C - Plymouth SCP 5 - 7 (Actual pro-rata salary £7,622 – £7,929) (FTE Salary £19,312 – £20,092). Closing Date: 9am – Wednesday 7 July 2021. Interview Date: To be confirmed. 

2 x Teaching Assistants - required from September 2021. Plymstock are seeking two dedicated Teaching Assistants to join our friendly and supportive SEN Department.  One post will be to work on a one to one basis with a student and the other post is a more generalised support post. These are permanent posts –  26.59 hours pw x 39 weeks pa. Salary - Plymouth SCP 3 - 4  (Actual pro-rata salary £11,423 - £11,652) (FTE Salary £18,562 - £18,933). Closing Date: 9am – Wednesday 7 July 2021. Interview Date: To be confirmed. 

Sports Centre Leisure Assistant - Part-time position (includes evenings and weekends) at Plymstock School Sports Centre. Full details and application form available from Gary Williams, Sports Centre Manager, gwilliams@plymstockschool.co.uk. 

For more information on these roles, please go here. 

Wembury Primary School have the following vacancies: 

A Play Worker to work from 3.10 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. Monday to Thursday term time only from 8th September 2021. Applicants must be a good team member and ideally have some experience in child care provision and be willing to engage fully in the work of our school, including being flexible and working as part of a friendly, supportive team with high expectations. Duties will involve taking registration/organising administration as well as preparing activities. Full training will be provided for the successful candidate. Closing date: Thursday 15th July 2021 12.00 Noon. 

A Caretaker/Cleaner. As the sole caretaker you will be responsible for undertaking maintenance tasks both reactive and planned work. You will also undertake inspections of the school and resolve any findings. The role will also include undertaking security lockdown and opening of the school premises. You will be expected to embrace a positive Health and Safety culture. Closing date for applications: Monday 12th July 2021, 12.00 noon. 

For more information on this vacancy, please go here. 

Hele's School has the following vacancies: 

Learning Supervisor - 30 hours pw x 38 weeks pa (term time). Required for September 2021. Permanent. Grade D scp8-14. Actual pro-rata salary £13,864 (FTE Salary £20,493). Hele's are seeking an enthusiastic and adaptable Learning Supervisor to support their learning provision across the school. Closing Date:  8am, Monday 5th July 2021. Interviews scheduled for Thursday 8th July 2021

Learning Support Assistants – 26 hrs 40 mins pw x 38 weeks pa. Required for September 2021. Salary - Grade B SCP3-4 Actual pro rata salary £11,160 (FTE Salary £18,562). We are seeking to appoint Learning Support Assistants to support students and teachers in mainstream classes and within the Supportive Education Centre. Closing Date: 9am, Thursday 8th July 2021. Interviews scheduled for Tuesday 13th July 2021. 

For more information on these roles, please go here. 

Ivybridge Community College have the following vacancies: 

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Attendance). Pay Grade: Dependent on Experience / Devon Legacy Pay Scales, (Grade F SCP 24-28) Salary: £28,672 - £32,234 per annum (£25,072 - £28,186 pro-rata). Full Time: 37 hours per week / 40 weeks per year. Contract: Permanent. Closing date for applications: 9.00am on Monday, 5 July 2021. Interviews will provisionally take place on Friday, 9 July.

Operations Manager. Pay Grade: Dependent on Experience / Devon Legacy Pay Scales, (Grade G SCP 29-33) Salary: £32,910 - £36,922. Full Time: 37 hours per week / 52 weeks per year. Contract: Permanent. Closing date for applications: 9.00am on Monday, 12 July 2021. Interviews will provisionally take place on Thursday, 15 July and Friday, 16 July.

Science Technician. Pay Scale: NJC Grade D (scp 7-12) £16,690 - £18,427 pro rata (Full time equivalent salary - £20,092 - £22,183 per annum). Hours: Full-time 37 hours per week x 38 weeks a year. Contract: Permanent. Closing date for applications: 9am on Monday 5 July 2021. Interviews will provisionally take place on Thursday 8 July 2021.

Training School Administrator. Pay Scale: NJC Grade D (SCP 7-12) £16,690 - £18,427 pro rata. Dependent on experience (Full time equivalent salary - £20,092 - £22,183 per annum) Hours: 37 hours a week, 40 weeks per year. Contract: Fixed term for 12-months. Closing date for applications: Midday on Friday, 2 July 2021. Interviews will provisionally take place on Friday, 9 July 2021.

For more information on these roles, please go here. 

Eggbuckland Community College have the following vacancies:

2 x Temporary Teaching Assistants – Learning Support. Grade C, 29.16 hours per week, 38 weeks per year. Actual starting salary £12,700 per annum. Eggbuckland Community College require two Teaching Assistants, working from 8.40am to 3.05pm (35 mins unpaid break) on temporary contracts until July 2022, to work with their SEND students, providing support with accessing learning in the classroom, under the direction of a teacher, and leading small groups or individual interventions.  The role also includes preparation and maintenance of resources and whole college duties such as break time supervision. Closing date: 9am, Monday 5th July 2021. Interviews to be held in the week beginning 12th July 2021. 

Cleaning Supervisor. Grade C, starting at £11.45 per hour (inc. leave adjustment) 15 hours per week, 41 weeks per year (term time plus two additional weeks in the summer holidays) 3pm to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Eggbuckland Community College require a Cleaning Supervisor to manage a team of cleaning staff, allocating their work to ensure that all cleaning of the Trust premises is to the standard required and maintained in a clean and hygienic condition.  Some cleaning may be required to cover staff absence from time to time. Closing date: 9am, Monday 28th June 2021.

2 x Cleaners. Grade A, starting at £10.57 per hour (inc. leave adjustment) 12.5 hrs per week, 41 weeks per year (term time plus two additional weeks in the summer holidays) 3.15pm to 5.45pm, Monday to Friday. Eggbuckland Community College are looking for reliable individuals to provide general cleaning duties across the College site. Closing date: 9am, Monday 28th June 2021.

3 x Temporary Teaching Assistants - Hearing Support Centre (full-time and part-time) Grade C, £19,312 pro rata. Hearing Support Centre - Eggbuckland Community College are looking to appoint 2 full-time (approx. 30 hrs/wk, for 38 wks/yr) and 1 part-time (approx. 17.5 hrs/wk, for 38 wks/yr) Teaching Assistants, in the Hearing Support Centre, on temporary contracts until July 2022.  Exact hours to be discussed at interview. These roles involve supporting students who are d/Deaf / hearing impaired and to enhance an already highly successful and motivated team.  Candidates must be willing to train up to the Level 2 qualification in British Sign Language.  Experience of working with students with hearing loss would be advantageous. Closing date: 9am, Friday 2nd July 2021. Interviews to be held in the week beginning 12th July.

Activate Assistant (Weekends) Casual hours, National Minimum Wage (depending on age). Eggbuckland Community College are looking for a reliable, hard working person to work on Saturdays, from 8.30am-1pm and Sundays from 8.30am-11.30am, to assist in the running of their community sports programme.  Applicants must have excellent interpersonal skills an interest in sport and an ability to use their own initiative.  Additional hours may be required to cover staff absence, holidays and extra facility hire. Closing date: 9am, Friday 2nd July 2021. Interviews to be held in the week beginning 12th July.

Communication Support Worker. 30 hours per week, 39 weeks per annum. Salary dependent on qualifications and experience. Eggbuckland Community College Academy Trust and Eggbuckland Vale Primary School are seeking to jointly appoint a Communication Support Worker to work with Deaf students who use British Sign Language as their main form of communication.  This position is offered in partnership by the two establishments, both of which have a Hearing Support Centre within a mainstream setting. Required as soon as possible, to work across both sites.  The successful applicant will have a minimum requirement of BSL Level 3 or up to level 6. You must be able to support Deaf students in the mainstream class ensuring lessons are accessible to Deaf learners who communicate with BSL.  You will also require knowledge of Cued Speech to access English.  The successful applicant will have or be willing to achieve a qualification as a CSW and/or in Cued Speech. Closing date for applications: 9am, 2nd July 2021. Interviews in the week beginning 12th July 2021. 

Clerk to the Trustees. Grade D, actual starting salary £1,214 per annum 100 hours per annum. Required from September 2021. Eggbuckland Community College are looking to appoint a reliable Clerk to work effectively with the Chair of Trustees, Principal and other Trustees, to provide effective administrative support, be responsible for advising the Board of Trustees on governance, constitutional matters, duties and powers within the broad current legislative framework. The Clerk will secure the continuity of Board of Trustees business and observe confidentiality requirements. Closing date for applications: 9am, Friday 2nd July 2021. Interviews in the week beginning 12th July 2021. 

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