One thing is for certain – we have started the new academic year at pace! It has been fantastic to hear of the many successes that you have already enjoyed, especially the recent wave of face to face open evenings!

I wish to take the opportunity to briefly draw your attention to the second strand of our Strategic Plan. We are redesigning how we utilise the capacity and expertise of our school improvement function to ensure that activities have the desired impact and bring additional value to our work.

My closing remarks are about COVID. Whilst we are enjoying far greater freedom in how we go about work and our daily lives, it is vital that we maintain a degree of vigilance to our ongoing system of controls to minimise the spread of infection.

Best wishes, 

Rob Haring, CEO

What is an Employee Assistance Programme?

With ever increasing pressures at work and home, there are times when we all need some extra support to balance the demands of everyday life. Care first are an independent, leading provider of professional employee support services. Care first employ professionally qualified Counsellors and Information Specialists, who are experienced in helping people to deal with all kinds of practical and emotional issues such as wellbeing, family matters, relationships, debt management, workplace issues, and more.

How can I access this?

This service is free of charge for WeST employees to access, you don’t need to inform your line manager (unless you wish to) and its completely confidential. The Trust does not know who uses the service but does receive statistics on how many employees use the service and general broad themes of types of issues—no information is ever passed on which could identify individuals.

You can call 0800 174 319 to speak to a professional counsellor or information specialist in confidence 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

You can visit the Care first lifestyle website which offers additional resources and online services at:

Website: www.carefirst-lifestyle.co.uk

User Name: Westcountst

Password: Wellbeing1234

16 Sep 2021
WeST T&L Newsletter
Welcome to the Autumn 1 edition of the WeST wide T&L newsletter. 
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West Winter Flu Jabs

We have responded amazingly well to the challenges of the pandemic and everyone has made huge sacrifices to bring COVID-19 under control. We have learned important lessons and there is now an opportunity to ensure these lessons can be applied in the future.

As our sites return for the autumn term one inevitable fact remains. Winter is coming, and with it the Flu Virus.

In preparation the Trust are proud to confirm we have partnered with Boots pharmacy to deliver a limited number of flu vaccinations to staff who do not already meet the NHS free vaccine eligibility. We encourage all staff to take up the offer of a flu jab via one of these pathways.

You are eligible if:

  • Aged 50 or over
  • Have certain health conditions– like COPD, Asthma, Diabetes etc.
  • You are pregnant
  • You live with someone who is at high risk of coronavirus
  • You receive a carer's allowance for an older or disabled person who is at risk.
  • Have a weakened immune system due HIV, AIDS, Steroid Treatments or Chemotherapy
  • Being very overweight – a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above
  • Neurological conditions, such as MS, Cerebral Palsy, Parkinsons. You can have the NHS Flu Vaccine at: Your GP Surgery A Pharmacy offering free NHS Jabs Your Midwifery Service (if pregnant) More information on the importance of getting a flu vaccination & eligibility is available from NHS Free Flu Jab Eligibility

For more information, contact HR@westst.org.uk

Available to you if:

  • You are NOT eligible for NHS Free Flu Jab Vouchers can be sent directly to you via email or text message.

Vouchers are redeemable at any participating Boots Pharmacy: Store Locator (https://www.boots.com/ StoreLookupView)

Redeemable from the 1st October 2021 until 31st January 2022, on a first come first served basis.

Availability may be limited as flu season progresses and ongoing supply can not be guaranteed. 

To Request a Voucher complete the online Form: Flu Voucher Request or Scan QR code.

Introduction to Mindfulness

4.15pm to 5.30pm, Thursday 30 September (feel free to arrive from 4pm for refreshments)

WeST HQ, Conference Room Morley Meadows Primary School, Plymstock

This is an opportunity to find out:

 • What mindfulness is

• What mindfulness is not (!)

• How mindfulness might be helpful in supporting your well-being

• How you could begin a journey towards using mindfulness to support your pupils / colleagues

• If the 8-week .B Foundations course might be for you. 

To book a place on this taster session please scan the QR below or complete this MS Form. 

 

Staff absences to care for children with a non-critical illness – interim arrangements for September 2021 to August 2022

Last academic year you may remember that the Trust took the positive step of aligning this entitlement to allow 5 days paid leave in the case of a caring for a child with a non-critical illness . This was in response to the high number of children self-isolating as close contacts during the previous wave and therefore requiring parental care.  Added to this (due to the requirement for 14 and then 10 days isolation) we also introduced a discretionary element to be granted on an exceptional basis dependent upon specific circumstances.

In preparation for the likelihood of a spike in actual cases among our children, and in an effort to continue to treat staff equitably, the Trust has introduced the following arrangements for the academic year September 2021 to August 2022:

  • A ‘basic’ annual entitlement to 5 days paid leave as the standard across all schools/business units to care for children with a non-critical illness
  • Discretion for the Headteacher/Principal/Director to allow additional exceptional paid days specifically to allow for caring for a child who contracts Covid, to cover the required isolation period.  These exceptional additional days are ring-fenced for Covid-related childcare and will be subject to full and detailed exploration/consideration of the specific circumstances in each case.
  • Both entitlements (the standard and exceptional, where granted) are available once for each employee across the academic year September 2021 to August 2022
  • Any additional time off related to childcare for non-critical illness, either covid or non-covid related, will be unpaid

The alignment of this provision does not over-ride the expectations in place locally for staff to seek the required approval in advance of taking leave of absence.

We feel it is a positive step to be able to align our approach across WeST for a further year in response to the challenge of Covid.

Please contact HR@westst.org.uk in the event of any queries related to this provision.

Early-career payments for teachers

Are you a newly qualified in teacher in mathematics, physics, chemistry or languages?  If so you may be eligible for an Early-career payment.  Application windows opened at the beginning of September and will remain open for 5 months.

To find out more about the scheme and to check your own eligibility, check the general guidance here and the eligibility checker here.

Funding for eligible teachers come directly from the Department for Education, is subject to deductions for Tax and National Insurance, is pensionable and is subject to Student Loan deductions.

Passive Intervention and Prevention (PIPS) Training

This is a brilliant opportunity to sign up for PIPS training at WeST HQ in Morley Meadows Primary School, Plymstock. It will start at 9.00am and finish at 4.15pm. There will be a break for lunch at about 12.15pm then 1.00pm – 4.15pm. 15 minute break mid-morning and afternoon and approx. 45 minutes for lunch. This training session will cost £35. 

The aim of Passive Intervention and Prevention (PIPS) training is to:

  • enable schools and other settings to develop a consistent, acceptable team approach to managing behaviour in a manner that maintains positive relationships and continues to care for pupils/clients at times of crisis
  • provide a process of repair and reflection for staff and children
  • increase staff awareness concerning the importance of recording and reporting, monitoring and evaluating, all incidents involving positive handling

Expected Outcomes:

  • experience and practice the skills of guiding, safe touch and holding
  • explore how these acts of care combine with calming, diffusing and problem solving strategies
  • experience passive intervention strategies designed to follow rather than force movement
  • identify key elements for developing a consistent team approach to managing challenge
  • increase awareness of the importance of recording and reporting, monitoring and evaluating
  • develop an increased sense of confidence at times of crisis

The decision to intervene physically or not will always be a professional judgement based on on-going risk assessment. The skills are designed to reduce risk to both staff and pupils should it be decided that, everything else having failed, a physical intervention is the safest option.

If you would like to book yourself on this course, please go here. 

Starter Experience Survey

Once again we would like to take this opportunity to welcome all our new starters to WeST. We hope you are beginning to settle in.

As part of the Trust aim of continual improvement, we would be interested to know about your experience of the selection process that led to your first day with us and your initial first couple of weeks.

We would therefore appreciate it if you would spend a few minutes completing the anonymous form that can be found here or via the QR code above by 30th September. Please also look out for an email over the next week or so 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 or on 01752 891754 Ext 1765.

TECHSCHEME

WeST have been exploring the possibility of working with the provider of Techscheme to offer Trust employees the opportunity to benefit from this salary sacrifice scheme to purchase tech items from the Currys PC World range.  Please find here some FAQs that tell you a little bit more about the scheme.

If you think you may be interested in taking part in this scheme please read the FAQ document and complete the short form available here or via the QR code.  The form will be available for you to complete until 30th September 2021.  This does not commit you to participating in the scheme but it will help us to gauge interest and take the right steps to make this scheme a success for you should you ultimately decide to take part.

Further information about the scheme is available on the Techscheme website. 

The HR Team is also available at hr@westst.org.uk if you have any questions.

Recruitment update:

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

Westcountry Schools Trust are looking to appoint an Executive Assistant. This role involves working closely with the CEO and Executive team, calling for the ability to work independently with a high level of initiative and accuracy. The ideal candidate will also have a strong administrative background with excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to remain calm and controlled in a demanding and constantly changing environment. The role will require flexibility in working hours and styles to meet varying demands.  As the first point of contact for the CEO and Executive Team, it is essential that the post holder has a manner which inspires confidence across high levels of interaction. Application forms are available from recruitment@westst.org.uk  and completed applications should be submitted to this address by 9am on Thursday 23rd September 2021.  For more information on this role, please go here. 

Westcountry Schools Trust is also looking to appoint a HR Officer. If you are a dedicated and highly proficient generalist HR Officer looking to consolidate your practice in the education sector and progress to a HR Advisory position, with your own portfolio of schools, within 2-3 years, this post provides the opportunity to take the next exciting step in your career. Working in a fast-paced environment as part of the core HR Team, the post holder will provide advice and support on a broad range of employee relations matters, helping to ensure timely progression of queries and cases. Stakeholder management is key and there will be a high level of interaction with customers at all levels in the provision of advice and guidance. Closing date: 9am Wednesday 6th October 2021. For more information on this role, please go here. 

Stowford Primary School are recruiting for a number of roles in the after school club.  There is a Wraparound Care Assistant post 3.15 pm to 5.45 pm Monday to Friday term time only from 7th October 2021 and a Wraparound Care Assistant post 3.15 pm to 5.45 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays term time to start as soon as possible.  There is also a combined role of Meal Time/Teaching/Wraparound Care Assistant  totalling 28.75 hours per week.  These are all fixed term posts to 31st August 2022. Applicants must be good team players 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.  For more information on these vacancies please go here. Closing date: Friday 24th September 2021 (9.00 am). 

Morley Meadow Primary School are looking to appoint a Family Support Advisor who can support and improve the life outcomes and opportunities for children and families in the school community. The role will involve enhancing the good practice already in place by providing a range of individual wellbeing, attendance, emotional, safeguarding and family support. Further information is available through the website here. Closing Date: 12.00pm Wednesday 6th October 2021. 

South Dartmoor Community and Atrium have the following vacancies: 

Community Sports Manager to relaunch the Ashmoor Centre, and build on existing good relationships between the school and the local community. The Community Sports Manager role would suit an ambitious and motivated experienced sports individual who is looking to progress into management. They will lead and develop the community sports offer, primarily based at South Dartmoor Community College. Closing date: Monday 27 September 2021 at 8.00 am. 

Teaching Assistant who shares their passion, vision and drive, and who is prepared to go that extra mile to support the students.??You would be joining a committed team of teaching assistants who play an important role across both schools. The role involves supporting students with Special Educational Needs within the classroom. This could involve facilitating student’s emotional regulation; working with those on the autistic spectrum, or supporting students with low levels of Literacy and Numeracy to access the secondary curriculum. Closing date: Monday 27 September 2021, 8.00 am.

Student Health Care Assistant to join their committed team of student support workers who play an important role across both schools. You should be capable of developing excellent relationships with the students and therefore a proven record of successfully working with young people is essential.??You will be a hard-working individual, with high expectations and an unwavering determination to get the best outcomes for students. Closing date: Monday 27 September 2021, 8.00 am. 

For more information on these roles, please go here.

Oreston Community Academy are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic, conscientious, and self-motivated manager for the before / after school and holiday club known as Lighthouse Club. This is an exciting new chapter for the club to continue its growth in providing a safe, exciting, and enriching environment for young people. The role of manager is to provide the day to day operations of this provision and take a proactive role in continuing to build the provision on offer. Closing date: 24th September 2021. For more information on the above role, please go here. 

Ivybridge Community College are looking to appoint an exceptional individual into the position of Pastoral Leader. The Pastoral Leader roles are the first response for everyday pastoral concerns.  They are required to lead and manage the delivery of pastoral support for an allocated Year Group. The role of the Pastoral Leader requires accurate record keeping and effective communications with stakeholders at all levels, which is both timely and effective. For more information on this role, please go here. Closing date: Monday, 27 September 2021, 9.00am. 

Chaddlewood Primary School are looking to appoint an enthusiastic, conscientious and self-motivated Cleaner to provide a key role in maintaining our school site, ensuring a welcoming and safe environment for the whole school community. The hours will be afternoons 15.10 – 18.00 Monday to Friday during term time with a more flexible approaching during the 3 week periodic clean (1 week spring break/2 week summer break). This post will initially be based at Chaddlewood Primary School; however, the post holder may be required to work at any of the schools within Westcountry Schools Trust. Closing date: 30 September 2021. For more information on this role, please go here. 

Plymstock School are looking for the following vacancies: 

Apprentice IT Technician – Required as soon as possible. Under a recognised scheme of education, develop skills to assist the Network Manager in the efficient running and maintenance of the ICT facilities throughout the school and complete the required elements of the Level 3 course of study.  (20% apprenticeship time). One year contract initially, which may lead to a further qualification at Level 4 for a further year. 37 hours per week – All year round (52 weeks) Salary – Grade C - Plymouth SCP 5 – 7   £19,312 - £20,092. Closing Date: 9am – Wednesday 29 September 2021. 

Teaching Assistant – Required as soon as possible. Grade B SCP 3-4 £18,562 - £18,933 (Actual salary £11,423 - £11,652) Permanent, part-time post – 26.59 hours pw x 39 weeks pa. Plymstock are seeking a dedicated Teaching Assistant to join their friendly and supportive Special Educational Needs Department. Acting under the direction of the school's SENCO, the successful candidate will provide general support to staff and pupils. Closing Date: 9am – Monday 27 September 2021. 

Catering Assistant – Required as soon as possible. Grade B- Plymouth SCP 3 - 4  (Actual pro-rata salary £12,558 - £12,809) Permanent, part-time post – 30 hours pw x 38 weeks pa. Due to the expansion of our catering facility, Plymstock are seeking an enthusiastic individual to join their friendly and dedicated catering team. The successful candidate will assist in the preparation, cooking and service of food to customers within the school and will help to maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of the kitchen, dining and food service areas. Closing Date: 9am – Monday 27 September 2021. 

For more information on the above roles, please go here. 

Woodford Primary School are looking for the following vacancies:

Full-time class teachers for Y5. This is a Fixed-term 1-year Contract. Woodford are looking to appoint an exceptional classroom practitioner to their Woodford Primary School Team with immediate effect.  Woodford would like to recruit a teacher with the drive and enthusiasm to provide the best possible learning opportunities, inside and outside of the classroom, for the children. If you can enrich their teaching team with enthusiasm, ideas and a passion for delivering knowledge rich experiences, then they would welcome your application. Closing date: Tuesday 28th at 12:00. 

Full-time class teacher Y5. This is a Fixed-term 1-year Contract until 31/08/2022. Woodford are looking to appoint an exceptional classroom practitioner to join our Woodford Primary School Team with immediate effect. Do you have the skills and expertise to lead a subject across the school? We would like to recruit a teacher with 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 delivering knowledge rich experiences, then we would welcome your application. Closing date: Tuesday 28th at 12:00. 

For more information on the above roles, please go here. 

Hele's School are looking for a SEN Admin & Learning Support Assistant - 30 hours per week, 38 weeks (term time) NJC Grade C - Starting salary £13,065 (pro rata of £19,312 FTE). Permanent. Heles are seeking an enthusiastic and adaptable SEN Admin & Learning Support Assistant to provide administrative support for the SENCo and support to students and teachers in mainstream classes. For more information on this post, please go here. Closing Date:  midnight, Sunday 3rd October 2021. 

Eggbuckland Community College have the following vacancies: 

Communication Support Worker – BSL Level 3/6. 30 hours per week, 39 weeks per year. Salary range from Grade D (at BSL 3) – actual starting salary: £14,229 per year. Up to Grade I (senior level at BSL 6) – actual starting salary: £27,003 per year. Eggbuckland Community College 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: 9am, Friday 24th September 2021. 

2 x Temporary Teaching Assistants - Hearing Support Centre. Post 1: Grade C - 26 hrs/wk, 38 wks/yr, actual starting salary: £11,358 per year. Post 2: Grade C - 12.5 hrs/wk, 38 wks/yr, actual starting salary: £5,479 per year. Eggbuckland Community College are looking to appoint 2 part-time Teaching Assistants as soon as possible to work in the Hearing Support Centre on temporary contracts until July 2022.  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 24th September 2021. 

Temporary Music Technician. 9 hours per week, 38 weeks per year. Grade C - actual starting salary: £3,920 per year. Required as soon as possible, initially until July 2022, working on Wednesdays from 8.30am to 3pm and remaining hours to be agreed with the line manager.  The successful candidate will provide assistance with a variety of tasks, including helping students in the recording studio, setting up instruments and PA systems, assisting with performances for music concerts and other performances. Closing date for applications: 9am, Friday 24th September 2021. 

For more information on the above vacancies, please go here. 

Arena are looking for enthusiastic and dedicated sports coaches to join their highly successful team. Due to an increase in their work programme they have a vacancy for two sports coaches one to cover the North Cornwall area of the sports partnership and another to cover the East Cornwall area. Initially the roles will be for approximately 20 hours per week but this could increase. You will need to have a minimum of a level 2 NGB Sports coaching qualification and have had experience in working with primary age children. Closing Date: 13 Oct 2021. For more information on these roles, please go here.