Welcome to the final Spring Term edition of the ‘Whistle’.
We have reached the Easter break having completed a very busy Spring Term.
Easter is a time of hope and renewal, a time to celebrate triumph over travesty. It is also an ideal opportunity to reflect on the importance of collaboration, and how, by working together, we are far better placed to overcome challenges and achieve our collective goals.
As such, I wish to thank everyone for your support as we continue to ‘bounce back’ from the pandemic. We have not let the obstacles presented by COVID dampen our aspiration and collective desire for all of our children to succeed. Indeed, our success with early reading is going from strength to strength to the point where more WeST young children are meeting the expected standard at Phonics Screening Check (PSC) than pre-COVID. We are on track for 90% of children reaching this standard.
We have enjoyed many successes across all facets of school life including our collective work being validated by several very successful Ofsted inspections.
Several of our schools have either just changed, or are in the process of changing, leadership. I am delighted that five of our newly appointed headteachers have secured promotion to headship from within the WeST family.
In summary:
Buckfastleigh Primary School - Mrs Laurie Archer
Eggbuckland Community College - Ms Heather Lilley
Oreston Community Academy - Mrs Amy Chivers
Plympton St Maurice Primary School - Mr Chris Rickard
Plymstock School - Mr Alan Yendell
Woodlands Park primary School - Mrs Eve Vollans
I am sure you will join me in wishing them, and their schools, every success.
Before I close, I must take this opportunity to signpost the need for us to improve the level of pupil attendance. For each and every child to benefit from the blend of education in which we believe, they need to be in our classrooms every day.
May this Easter bring you and your family peace, joy and hope for the future.
Best wishes
Rob Haring, CEO
As part of our cyber defence strategy endorsed by the Trust Board, you will soon be receiving a short series of cyber awareness training sessions by email.
Please look out for these and use the links to watch the video and undertake a brief quiz. Each email will link you to a different video and quiz. Not everybody will get the same training at the same time, so please use the link in your email.You will receive an email from invitations@phishline-training.com where you will be asked to click on the link to access the training.
Thank you in advance for your co-operation.
PDR Training for line managers
The HR Team are offering face-to-face PDR training sessions for line managers on Monday 17 April.
These are running at Morley Meadow with a choice of morning or afternoon - 9am to 11.30am or 12.30pm to 3pm.
Places are limited to 20 per session and bookings are now open via ESS.
Please book it through ESS or contact hr@westst.org.uk.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Discounts for ALL Trust colleagues (teachers, support staff, everyone in WeST!)
Did you know that all education staff can access the Discounts for Techers service?!
All WeST colleagues are eligible to sign up for FREE to the Discounts For Teachers service online to get access to hundreds of exclusive discounts with online retailers. They have a number of exclusive offers. A number of large retailers take part, including Currys, Argos, Clarks, WH Smith, and Early Learning Centre. Plus a number of restaurants and more! Please share with all colleagues to access this fantastic opportunity.
WeST are continuing to work alongside Able Futures to support staff wellbeing and are pleased to bring details of new free webinar sessions. Please click the following links to register your interest. If you are unable to access the live session, the registered participants will be provided with a recording of the information.
It's completely confidential to you as WeST will not be informed of any participant details.
We hope you find these sessions of interest and value as part of our ongoing commitment to developing a culture of wellbeing at work. Details of other resources are available on the staff portal.
We are delighted to inform you of the following exciting career opportunities within our Trust:-
Buckfastleigh Primary School are looking for a KS2 teacher who can come in and continue the great work of our current post holder while she is on maternity leave. This role would be suitable for either a fixed term contract or a secondment and interested teachers are encouraged to ring the school to speak to Eddie Brown, the Headteacher, to discuss this. For more information, please click here.Closing date: 21 April 2023.
Coombe Dean School are looking to fill the following vacancies:
Admin Assistant - You should be able to remain calm under pressure, meet tight deadlines, and have excellent interpersonal and communication skills. The successful candidate must have L2 English and Maths. Closing date: 17 April 2023.
Sports Centre Assistant - An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic individual with a passion for sport and fitness to work with the Sports Centre Manager to assist with the day to day facilitation of all Sports Centre and Lettings activities. This would suit a proactive person, with strong customer service experience and an interest in physical education. Closing date: 17 April 2023.
Teaching Assistant- The role will involve you working across the curriculum with students of differing abilities and needs. Closing date: 17 April 2023.
Teacher of Design and Technology with Art - The successful candidate will be an excellent classroom practitioner, passionate about Design and Technology and working with young people. The ability to implement a strong curriculum, engage, enthuse and inspire young people to achieve success is key and we welcome applications from both experienced teachers and ECTs. Closing date: 18 April 2023.
For more information on the above vacancies, please click here.
Oreston Community Academy are 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. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 19 April 2023.
Sherford Vale School & Nursery currently has a vacancy for a qualified, permanent, experienced Nursery practitioner. Sherford Vale are looking for an excellent Nursery practitioner who puts learning at the heart of their practice, has a hunger to improve, a strong teamwork ethic and who is flexible. For more information, please click here.Closing date: 19 April 2023.
South Dartmoor Community College are looking to fill the following vacancies:
Cover Supervisor - The successful candidate must be able to deliver the curriculum to a high level, across the subjects, and will work closely with the Heads of Departments. The successful candidate will be a hard-working individual; with high expectations and an unwavering determination to get the best outcomes for students. Closing date: 21 April 2023.
Teaching Assistant - 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. You should be capable of developing excellent relationships with the students and therefore a proven record of successfully working with young people is essential. Closing date: 21 April 2023.
For more information on the above vacancies, please click here.
Stowford School are seeking to appoint a Class 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 suitable for an EYFS practitioner with early reading, maths and phonics skills. For more information, please click here.Closing date: 26 April 2023.
Westcountry Schools Trust are seeking to appoint a Hub Advisory Board Administrator. The role will support the Governance Officer to contribute to the smooth operation of Hub Advisory Boards (HABs), providing a high standard administrative service supporting the development and implementation of HAB services compliant with relevant governance regulations. The successful candidate will also ensure GDPR compliance and fulfil the HAB role of Data Protection Lead.For more information, please click here.Closing date: 17 April 2023.
Woodford Primary School are seeking to appoint a Deputy Headteacher (with SENCO Responsibilities) The Deputy Head Teacher will be required to support the Head Teacher in the day-to day leadership of the school and continue to promote the high standards. The successful individual will lead by example, with a focus on supporting and developing the team from Foundation to Year 6 as well as collaborating within and beyond Westcountry Schools Trust. For more information, please click here.Closing date:Monday 24 April.
As part of our cyber defence strategy endorsed by the Trust Board, you will soon be receiving a short series of cyber awareness training sessions by email.
PDR Training for line managers
Discounts for ALL Trust colleagues (teachers, support staff, everyone in WeST!) 
Buckfastleigh Primary School are looking for a KS2 teacher who can come in and continue the great work of our current post holder while she is on maternity leave. This role would be suitable for either a fixed term contract or a secondment and interested teachers are encouraged to ring the school to speak to Eddie Brown, the Headteacher, to discuss this. For more information, please click 
Oreston Community Academy are 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. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 19 April 2023. 
Sherford Vale School & Nursery currently has a vacancy for a qualified, permanent, experienced Nursery practitioner. Sherford Vale are looking for an excellent Nursery practitioner who puts learning at the heart of their practice, has a hunger to improve, a strong teamwork ethic and who is flexible. For more information, please click 
South Dartmoor Community College are looking to fill the following vacancies: 
Stowford School are seeking to appoint a Class 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 suitable for an EYFS practitioner with early reading, maths and phonics skills. For more information, please click 
Woodford Primary School are seeking to appoint a Deputy Headteacher (with SENCO Responsibilities) The Deputy Head Teacher will be required to support the Head Teacher in the day-to day leadership of the school and continue to promote the high standards. The successful individual will lead by example, with a focus on supporting and developing the team from Foundation to Year 6 as well as collaborating within and beyond Westcountry Schools Trust. For more information, please click