Wellbeing and Safety for All - Monday 28 February 

On the 28 February we will be holding a support staff training day which will consist of various training sessions across the WeST sites.

Below you will find an outline of the 6 training session on offer:

· “Looking after Number 1” a session based on understanding how self-compassion and awareness can support mental and physical health through the five ways to wellbeing. This will include an introduction to mindfulness. It will be delivered by Richard Woodland, Director of Inclusion, WeST. This session will be held all day at Morley Meadow School Hall. 

· “Fitness and Wellbeing - mental health from a different angle” Over four 75 minutes sessions this day is aimed at helping colleagues understand the 5 pillars of a fit and healthy lifestyle and explore actionable strategies to change habits around mental and physical fitness. It will be delivered by Jay Unwin, from Fit Body Fit Mind. This session will be held at Plymstock School from 9.00-15.30. To access a promo video for this session, please go here.

· “Passive Intervention and Prevention Strategies” This course will be led by Anthony Boulton from Babcock LDP and is suitable for any staff who may find themselves in a position where they need to have physical contact with pupils. More details can be found on the Babcock LDP website. Spaces are limited so if you wish to book a place for any staff early please use this MS Form now. This session will be held all day at Hele's School. 

· “Restorative Approaches” This session is aimed at any staff who wish to find out more about how restorative approaches can be used across schools. The learning would be applicable to any situation where relationships have been strained by an event, e.g. pupil-staff, pupil-pupil and staff-staff interactions, but is particularly aimed at Behaviour Managers and Pastoral Staff. This session will be led by Roger Hutchinson, Behaviour Specialist from the WeST School Improvement Team. This session will be held all day at Ivybridge Community College. 

· “Creating a Culture of Safeguarding” This session is aimed at Reception/Front Office staff, Operations Managers, School Business Managers and others who are responsible for any aspect of our schools where ‘first impressions count.’ Led by Jon Galling, Senior Safeguarding Officer at Babcock LDP it will look at how staff in these roles can ensure that site security, telephone procedures, CCTV, visitor sign-in and face to face welcomes etc. can promote a culture of safeguarding from the first contact an external visitor has at your school. This session will be held at WeST HQ at Morley Meadow Primary School from 9.00-12.00pm. 

· “Mental Health Awareness for Young People” This course will be led by Jodie Frost from The Zone, Plymouth. It will look at how adults, in any role at a school, can support the mental health of young people. It is particularly relevant for staff in secondary schools, especially those with pastoral or safeguarding roles. This session will be held at Coombe Dean School from 10.30-15.30. 

For booking onto the course, please see the link below to access the Ms form or scan the QR code below. Deadline: 11 February 2022. 

MS FORM

HR Update 

Review of the Trust’s Appraisal Process

We have commenced a review of the Trust-wide arrangements for appraisals with the aim of increasing the value and fitness for purpose for our staff. Structured discussions have already taken place with all senior leadership to collect feedback towards developing the key principles that will underpin our renewed process. We are now keen that all staff are provided with an opportunity to have their say in this very important project, and I would therefore invite you to look out for the spring WeST Staff Survey, where additional questions have been incorporated to collect your feedback. We look forward to seeing your views which will help us shape our new process.

Fit Note Change as of 27 January 2022

Please note that the temporary change to the national rules on when you need to provide a fit note has ended. From 27 January 2022 a fit note is required after 7 days of sickness in accordance with the normal requirements of our Managing Sickness Absence Policy and Procedure and for the purposes of occupational/statutory sick pay.

Update your Personal Details and Download your Payslip 

In April 2022, the Trust are moving to one payroll provider, Midland HR (MHR).

Many staff members currently access payslips through employee self-service. Copies of payslips and P60s stored there will not be transferring across from your current provider to MHR. Access to old payroll systems via employee self-service will cease once we have gone live.

Therefore, please ensure that you have downloaded copies of your individual payslips and P60’s from your current payroll provider, prior to April 2022. You may wish to print these or retain an electronic copy, saved to your own area.

Updating your personal details is really important. If you are yet to update details about any change (such as full name, address, contact number and personal email address) please can you ensure your data is up to date at the earliest opportunity. This will include informing your local school administrator for local systems and informing payroll systems.

If you have any questions relating to this, please contact the HR Team on 01752 891754 ext 1765 or emailing hr@westst.org.uk.

The Spring WeST whole staff survey is launching next week!

Please see the Wednesday Whistle for more details. This survey will also extend the opportunity to provide feedback on a full review of our appraisal process. This review will reframe our arrangements with the intention to increase value and fitness for purpose. Please do participate and help us shape this very important piece of work.

The Highway Code

The Highway Code has been updated following consultation which took place in 2021. The updated version came into force on Saturday 29 January 2022.

Below is the link to the changes, listed are the main changes:

• Hierarchy of road users

• People crossing the road at junctions

• Walking, cycling or riding in shared spaces

• Positioning in the road when cycling

• Overtaking when driving or cycling

• People cycling at junctions

• People cycling, riding a horse and driving horse-drawn vehicles on roundabouts

• Parking, charging and leaving vehicles

These updates will effect just about everyone regardless of whether you are driving for your employer or as a domestic only user. It also effects cyclist, pedestrians and those people who ride horses.

Introduction to Mindfulness

4.15pm to 5.30pm, Thursday 3 March

WeST HQ

(at Morley Meadow Primary School)

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 (there will be a course running on Thursday afternoons, 4.15-5.45pm starting March 10)

To book a place on this taster session please scan the QR below or copy and paste this URL to access an MS Form: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=H74x0ghpjEO5_sDOHVTP6kReAnkfXnZDgs6uabBrt_RUMFFOSDFRVEFKMFZXTzBCOU4xQUtSUzZZUi4u

Qr codeDescription automatically generated

 

Teaching and support staff financial wellbeing webinars

Staff can access free online webinars which are being run for both teaching and support staff on topics related to their financial wellbeing and long-term security.

The webinars will cover key areas including the many changes that have happened within both the Teachers’ and Local Government Schemes, as well as a better understanding of the benefits and long-term financial security provided to them from working within the education sector.

https://www.wesleyan.co.uk/financial-advice/webinars/teachers

*Disclaimer – The Trust is sharing this information from a third party, but does not endorse or hold any opinion related to the provider

A big thank you to all of you who completed our Starter Experience Survey last month.

We would like to thank all of you who commenced a new role with the Trust recently and took the time to feedback to us how the Trust was doing with its recruitment and selection process.  Your feedback will help us in our efforts to continually improve the recruitment experience of all our potential new starters.

There were many positives, some of which we can share with you now. 

  • We asked you to rate how straightforward you found the application process for your new post.  You gave the application process an average score of 4.65 stars out of 5.
  • 92.3% of you received an invite to interview less than 2 weeks after the advert close date.
  • We asked you to rate your invite to the selection process and any subsequent communications in relation to it.  You gave us an average score of 4.81 stars out of 5 for this.
  • We asked you to think about your pre-employment checks and to rate us on how we did with these in terms of communication, efficiency and helpfulness (with 1 star = poor and 5 stars = excellent).  You gave us an average score of 4.77 stars out of 5 for this.
  • We asked you to rate your experience of working for the Trust so far (with 1 star = poor and 5 stars = excellent).  You gave us an average score of 4.58 stars.
  • We asked you to look back to before you started work and assess how did in terms of getting you what your needed to get started (with 1 star = you did not have what you needed and 5 stars = you had everything that you needed).  You gave us an average score of 4.46 stars.
  • We asked you how clear the presentation of information was during your first few days (with 1 star = very unclear and 5 stars = very clear).  You gave us an average score of 4.35 stars.
  • We asked you how well you understand how your job supports the Trust's Vision, Values and Beliefs ( with 1 star = not well at all and 5 stars = extremely well).  You gave us an average score of 4.46 stars.

There are also some areas that you identified where we could do better:

  • Only 77% of you felt that you were presented with about the right amount of information when you started.
  • 19% of you reported that you did not have an induction for your new role.
  • A further 19% of you reported that your induction was only partially relevant to your new role.

We really appreciate your suggestions around this.  The full results are being analysed and will be used to improve the candidate experience of our recruitment and selection process moving forward.  Thank you for your time.

 

Recruitment update:

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

Westcountry Schools Trust are looking for the following vacancies:

Director of Education - We are seeking to appoint an exceptional individual with vision, energy and inspirational leadership to the position of Director of Education. The key purpose of the Director of Education is to effect consistent improvement across WeST Schools in order to secure the very best outcomes (better progress than that achieved nationally) for children. In addition, a core focus of this role is the achievement of disadvantaged pupils across the Trust. For more information, please go here. Closing date: Noon, Monday 21 February 2022.

Executive Director of MFL - The Executive Director for MFL is a key role that will promote and implement strategies for raising attainment and progress in MFL predominantly across all WeST secondary schools, but also promoting cross-phase alignment/approach. Working with the School Improvement Team, Headteachers and MFL Subject Leaders, the role involves both strategic leadership of subject development across the trust, alongside day to day support of MFL departments. For more information, please go here. Closing date: Monday 14 February 2022 at 12 noon.

HR Administration Apprentice - This role is suitable for someone who is looking to join the HR profession and begin their HR career. As an HR Administration Apprentice, you will be providing an efficient administrative support Trust wide and helping to deliver an effective, timely and professional HR service. In addition to your role, you will be working towards the HR Support Standard Level 3 qualification, to equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to be an efficient, solutions-focused HR Administrator. The successful candidate will have an interest and motivation to work within the Education sector, with a commitment to the Trust’s visions and values. For more information, please go here. Closing date: 9am Monday 14 February 2022.

Teaching Assistant (fixed term - maternity cover): The Breakwater - Plymouth Inclusion Centre - This is an exciting opportunity to join the newly established Breakwater alternative provision, and exciting collaboration between Plymouth secondary schools and Plymouth City Council. Ted Wragg Multi-Academy Trust and Westcountry Schools Trust are working in partnership to provide bespoke support to small groups of pupils in Year 7 and 8. If you believe you can demonstrate the dedication, skills and passion required, we look forward to receiving your application. For more information, please go here. Appointment to our Teaching Assistant (Maternity Cover) position will be on a rolling basis; the Trust may call to interview and appoint a suitable candidate from the point of their application. 

Wembury Primary School are seeking to appoint a skilled Teaching Assistant to join their happy and successful team. This position will start as soon as possible. You will be providing 1 to 1 support (Key Stage 2) and must have excellent communication skills. We are looking for a warm individual, with initiative and patience. The successful candidate must be willing to engage fully in the life of our school, be flexible and work as part of a friendly, supportive team with high expectations. For more information, please go here. Closing date: Thursday 10th February 2022 - 12.00 Noon. 

Oreston Community Academy are looking to appoint a dedicated and enthusiastic teacher to join our friendly and supportive school team to cover maternity leave. You would be joining their Year 6 team to provide leadership release and PPA cover playing a key role in continuing to raise achievement for all through high quality teaching and learning. For more information, please go here. Closing date: Monday 14th February at 3pm. 

Sherford Vale School are looking for a Nursery practitioner. Sherford are looking for an excellent Nursery practitioner who is flexible. The person appointed would need the skills and qualities necessary to demonstrate - a secure level of understanding of the EYFS, and Safeguarding policies/procedures, SEND practice and processes and be IT competent. For more information, please go here. Closing date: Midday Monday 28th February 2022.

Ivybridge Community College are looking for the following vacancies: 

An exceptional individual into the role of PE Assistant at Ivybridge Community College. The post holder will work under supervision and direction as part of a professional team to support learning by providing assistance, through the preparation and day-to-day maintenance of teaching resources and administrative support. Closing date: 9am on Thursday, 10 February 2022. 

An exceptional, inspirational Teacher of Science (Chemistry specialism preferred) to join a successful Science Department which is highly valued by the Governors and Leadership Team. Closing date: 9am on Monday, 14 February 2022. 

HR Administrator - The HR Administrator undertakes a full range of general administrative tasks and will work alongside the HR Administrator (Grade D) and HR Officer assisting with employee queries, maintaining and updating employee records/documents and databases. The post holder will have a good understanding and knowledge of administrative processes, and will develop their HR related administration and base-line knowledge of employment law. Closing date: 9am on Wednesday, 16 February 2022.

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

Cleaner - Permanent. 15 hours pw/41 weeks pa, Actual part-time salary £6512 per annum (pro rata of £17,842 FTE). 3-6 pm Monday to Friday. Hele's School are seeking to appoint a cleaner to Commence as soon as possible. Further details of the role are available here. Closing date: February 10th 2022. 

Callington Community College is seeking to appoint a full-time teacher of Classics and Spanish from September 2022 to join our successful Languages Department. Spanish has a strong tradition at the College and Callington are seeking to further strengthen and develop the presence of Languages within the College with the recent introduction of Latin to KS4. For more information, please go here. Closing date: Monday 7 March 2022. 

Plymstock School are looking for the following vacancies:

Teaching Assistant (Maternity Cover)  – required from March 2022. Plymstock are seeking a dedicated Teaching Assistant to join our 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. This is a fixed term, part-time post to cover maternity leave. – 26.59 hours pw x 39 weeks pa. Closing Date: 9am – Thursday 10 February 2022. Interview Date: Tuesday 15 February 2022. 

SEN Team Leader – required as soon as possible. Plymstock are seeking a committed and efficient Team Leader to join our Special Educational Needs Department.  The successful candidate will provide support for students and teachers in order to raise standards of achievement for all students. Working collaboratively with teaching staff in the management and preparation of resources and to compliment teachers’ delivery of the national curriculum. Closing Date: 9am – Thursday 10 February 2022. Interview Date: Tuesday 15 February 2022. 

Office Manager – Required as soon as possible. Plymstock are seeking an outstanding Office Manager to ensure the provision of excellent customer service through the effective line management of the School Receptionist and First Aid team. The successful candidate will oversee and maintain the school’s strategic and operational systems including SIMS, and ensure effective co-ordination and integration of administrative and support functions within the school setting. Closing Date: 9am Thursday 10 February 2022. Interview Date: Week commencing Monday 14 February 2022. 

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

South Dartmoor Community College are looking for the following vacancies: 

Teacher 0.6 FTE Design & Technology (to cover maternity up to 1 year) - This is a part-time, fixed term contract for up to one year with the possibility of 1.0 FTE to be negotiated. The successful candidate must be able to deliver the curriculum to a high level, across the subject, and will work closely with the Design & Technology team. 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. Closing Date: Monday 14 February 2022 at 8.00 am.

Please go here for more information on the above vacancies.