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Dear Colleagues,

As we reach the end of Term 1, I want to extend a wholehearted thank you to all staff who have worked with such purpose and dedication through what has been a long, yet rewarding, term. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed, and the impact of your hard work is evident in the successes we have achieved together.

Throughout this term, we have collectively accomplished a significant amount, and we can look forward with optimism and confidence. Our trust values of aspiration, collaboration, compassion, and integrity have shone through and guided our work - these values have been the cornerstone of our achievements.

The 15,000 children in our care are benefitting immensely from your professional expertise and your unwavering belief that each and every one of them can succeed and thrive. Your commitment to their education and wellbeing is unrelenting and it is thanks to you that our children are flourishing.

The final week of term has been as busy as ever. The rhythm of our work, underpinned by our T structure, has continued apace. This week, we had the pleasure of welcoming the first cohort via the WeST Training Institute - of NPQSENDCO for their first face-to-face conference at the training facilities at WeST on Thursday. It was fantastic to see participants drawn from across our region, including one from as far as Weymouth. This event highlighted our dedication to professional development and our commitment to fostering learning and collaborating that extends beyond our immediate community.

I was delighted to support the launch of the Caerus Event on Wednesday, an inspiring initiative unveiling the Caerus Skills Routemap, a revolutionary career guidance tool designed to transform how individuals approach career planning. Launched at Market Hall, Devonport, this innovative platform was developed in collaboration with leading employers, educators, and community members to provide comprehensive career support from primary education through to adulthood. The launch event was filled with inspiring keynote speeches, workshops, and a live demonstration of Caerus, highlighting its potential to shape the workforce of tomorrow.

As we look forward to the next term, I wish everyone a well-deserved half-term break. It is an opportunity to spend time away from the hurly-burly of school life, to relax, enjoy time with friends and family, and return for Term 2 recharged and ready for the rush to Christmas.

Thank you once again for your continued dedication and hard work. Let’s keep aiming high and supporting each other in our journey towards achieving our ambitious goals.

Best wishes, 

Rob Haring

CEO

Key Stage 1 Gymnastics Festival 

A fantastic few hours of gymnastics fundamental skills were on display in the KS1 festival, with the 9 attending schools all taking part in the 8 station carousel of activities with station focusing on balance and movement patterns which were ably demonstrated and coached through by the Morley Meadow Sports Leaders who displayed growing confidence in their delivery throughout the afternoon. A big well done to: Morley Meadow, Stowford, Manor, Woodlands Park, Woodford, Ermington, Yealmpton, Holbeton and Ugborough. 

Key Stage 2 Rugby Festival 

With heavy rain the day prior the pitch at ICC gave us some very muddy conditions however the pupils had great fun! With nearly 200 pupils and 7 schools attending the afternoon, they followed the RFU 'Mega Fest' format with a series of games and activities all aimed at providing a fun and positive experience of rugby. The afternoon was superbly delivered by the Ivybridge College leaders, with many in their first stages of experiencing rugby themselves and provided a welcoming, inclusive and engaging afternoon!

Well done to: Stowford, Ermington, Woodford, Yealmpton, Glen Park, Ugborough and Chaddlewood. 

Flu Vaccinations                     

WeST continues to support staff wellbeing and is pleased to enhance the NHS free flu vaccination by offering staff access to flu vaccinations this winter.

Last year we issued over 350 flu jab vaccination vouchers to staff members across the WeST network!

This year we have partnered with Doctorcall to deliver a limited number of e-voucher flu vaccinations via participating pharmacies and we have also partnered with H&G Healthcare to deliver flu vaccinations at on-site clinics within the Trust.

These vaccinations are provided at no cost to staff members and we encourage all staff to take up the offer of a flu jab via one of these pathways:

Flu vaccination voucher

To be used at one of the participating pharmacies (Found here: https://doctorcall.co.uk/pharmacy-finder). You are able to book an appointment at a time and location that suits you, pharmacies include Tesco, Day Lewis, +Well and Asda.

To request you flu vaccination voucher, please visit https://forms.office.com/e/uREz7LRVma or scan this QR code:

 

 

 

 

Flu vaccination at one of our WeST sites

Plymstock School

23 October 2024

11am—5pm

Deadline to book your appointment: 21 October 2024

Coombe Dean School

6 November 2024

7am—10am

Deadline to book your appointment: 4 November 2024

Following on from last year, you also have the opportunity to receive a vaccination at one of our sites in the Trust. The clinics are located:

Please note if you wish to receive a vaccination via this method, you will need to book an appointment. Flu vaccination clinics are on a ‘first come first serve’ basis, on the specified dates and times only.

For further information please contact WeST HR via hr@westst.org.uk

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Early-Career Payments for eligible teachers

Eligible chemistry, languages, mathematics and physics teachers can apply to the DFE directly for early-career payments between October and March.

You can can apply from 14 October to 31 March for the 2024 to 2025 academic year.

For more information, please visit: 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/early-career-payments-guidance-for-teachers-and-schools

Optimistic October

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Recruitment update:

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

Coombe Dean School are looking to fill the following vacancies: 

Cover and Behaviour Inclusion Supervisor - To work alongside the Cover and Behaviour Inclusion Lead and the Year Team Leaders, within the Inclusion Team, with a focus on supporting students particularly those who are identified as having barriers to their learning and progress. Closing date: 4 November 2024. 

Teacher of Enterprise & Design (DT, Food, Art) - The successful candidate will be an excellent classroom practitioner, passionate about their subject/s 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: 4 November 2024. 

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

   Eggbuckland Community College are looking to appoint Casual Exam Invigilators. As an invigilator, you will assist examination staff with their examination processes. This activity may include setting up examination venues by laying out stationery, equipment and examination papers in accordance with strict procedures. For more information on the above vacancy please click here. Closing date: 9 January 2025.

Holbeton Primary School are looking to fill the following vacancies: 

Teaching Assistant/Meal Time Assistant - In this role, you will work closely with targeted children to help them access the curriculum, participate in activities, and reach their full potential. You will be an integral part of their educational journey, offering support and guidance while fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment. Closing date: 8 November 2024. 

1:1 Teaching Assistant - To work under the instruction guidance of teaching/senior staff to undertake work/care/support programmes, to enable access to learning for pupils and to assist the teacher in the management of pupils and the classroom. Closing date: 8 November 2024. 

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

Westcountry Schools Trust are looking to fill the following vacancies: 

Governance Professional and Compliance Lead - Working closely with the Trust Board this role offers the opportunity to significantly impact on the education and lives of children within the Trust by leading, developing, monitoring and maintaining WeST's strategic and operational systems of governance and compliance, supporting our mission of empowering children to impact positively on society and upholding our trust values. Closing date: 28 October 2024. 

Health & Safety and Environmental Manager - Working closely with the Estates Team and school and Trust leadership, this role offers the opportunity to significantly impact on the education and lives of children within the Trust by leading, developing, monitoring and maintaining WeST's Health and Safety practice and compliance, supporting our mission of empowering children to impact positively on society and upholding our trust values. Closing date: 28 October 2024. 

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