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Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Weekly Whistle!

As we dive further into the Spring Term, it’s fantastic to see so much energy and commitment across our schools. Together, we’re making strides to ensure our children benefit from the very best education.

Here’s a quick round-up of some of this week’s key events and updates:

Cognition & Learning Meeting

On Monday, Caroline Kearney and Gemma Tully hosted an inspiring Cognition & Learning Meeting focused on bringing cognitive science principles into our teaching. From spaced repetition to active learning techniques and using formative assessments, there were plenty of practical ideas to take away. We’re excited to see these strategies come to life in the classroom!

Early Reading

Early reading continues to be a big priority for us. The greatest gift we can give our children is the ability to read fluently. This week, we had some great discussions around phonics teaching and how digital tools can help engage our youngest readers. A massive thank you to Heidi Longworth for leading this session and keeping us inspired to give our young learners the best start possible. A reminder that we are pursuing an ambitious target of 92% of our children meeting the expected standard in this year’s Phonics Screening Check (PSC).

Y6 Writing Moderation Training

Our Y6 Writing Moderation Training sessions have been invaluable in helping colleagues ensure consistency and accuracy when assessing pupil writing. These sessions are a brilliant opportunity for collaboration and sharing best practices. Well done to everyone involved!

Thank you for your ongoing hard work and dedication—it’s your efforts that make all the difference. Have a great weekend.

Best wishes, 

Rob Haring

CEO

In memoriam: James William Littlejohns (17.05.1985 - 24.12.2024)

James passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Christmas Eve. His funeral will be held on Wednesday 29 January and a number of his colleagues will be there to remember him and say their farewells.

James was WeST through and through. His title may have been Network Manager but he was also colleague, friend, confidante, boyfriend, son and so much more. James' care for the community he worked in was exemplary. He was a well regarded scout leader in Tavistock where he lived and was constantly in the throes of planning expeditions. At Callington, as well as ensuring the site ran smoothly from a software and IT use perspective, he was also supporting Duke of Edinburgh planning, expeditions and on site activities and was always the first to volunteer when staffing for a school trip fell short. His commitment to serve the children of Cornwall and across the Trust was exemplary. His passion and care for supporting others was evident in all that he did.

James will be very sadly missed by all those he worked with. It was a genuine pleasure and an honour to have worked with him. We will miss his bright, vivacious energy each and every day. Rest in peace James.

Wendy Ainsworth 

Principal at Callington Community College 

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Book your FREE space now: Westcountry Schools Trust - Upcoming Events

The September 2025 Training Programme is open to anyone who might have an interest in becoming a teacher, has a degree or equivalent and has permission to work in the UK before their training begins. You might be:

  • A recent graduate looking for the first step in your career.
  • A teaching assistant looking to transition into teaching your own class.
  • Looking for a completely new career path.
  • We welcome candidates of all ages, from all backgrounds, and with all types of experience.

More information on the programme can be found here. Applications are now open and interviews are underway! 

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Flu Vaccinations - 2024/2025

WeST continues to support staff wellbeing and is pleased to offer staff access to flu jab vaccinations this winter. Last year we issued over 350 flu jab vaccination vouchers to staff members across the WeST network!

Following your feedback, this year we have partnered with Doctorcall to deliver a number of e-voucher flu vaccinations via participating pharmacies. 

These vaccinations are provided at no cost to staff members and we encourage all staff to take up the offer of a flu jab.

Flu vaccination voucher
To request you flu vaccination voucher, please visit here or scan this QR code:
Vouchers are to be used at one of the participating pharmacies (Found here: https://doctorcall.co.uk/pharmacy-finder).


 

 

 

 

You will be able to book an appointment at a time and location that suits you.
Pharmacies include Tesco, Day Lewis, +Well and Asda.

Now open to all staff members, regardless of eligibility. 

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

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Happier January 

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Recruitment update:

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

Ashburton Primary School is seeking to appoint an exceptional individual with vision, energy and inspirational leadership to join their dedicated Senior Leadership Team in the role of Deputy Headteacher. The Deputy Headteacher will be required to support the Headteacher on a day-to-day basis with the leadership of the school and with the delivery of the WeST strategic direction, to optimise learning for all children and work cooperatively with colleagues in the implementation of making our school an even better place to learn and work. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 7 February 2025.    

Austin Farm Academy are looking to appoint an inspirational 0.6 EYFS/Year 1 classroom practitioner to join their EYFS/Year 1 team. The successful candidate will be expected to have excellent research-based practice in the EYFS and Year 1 curriculums and a genuine drive to achieve the highest standards for all children at Austin Farm Academy. For more information, please click here. Closing date: 3 February 2025. 

Coombe Dean School are looking to appoint a Subject Leader of Maths. The core purpose of the role is to ensure a high quality curriculum within Maths that is implemented expertly and consistently and to take an active role in the wider leadership of the school in pursuit of our key development and improvement priorities. For more information on the above vacancies, please click here. Closing date: 28 February 2025. 

Ivybridge Community College are looking to fill the following vacancies: 

Assistant SENDCo – Maternity cover - To assist in managing the provision for students identified as having Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND); including promoting high quality teaching, effective use of resources, and high standards of learning and achievement for all students. Closing date: 3 February 2025. 

Casual Examinations Invigilators - Hours of work are by negotiation, to cover examination sessions throughout the year. The ability to work at least three days a week during the peak times in May and June. Full day, morning (start 8.30am) and afternoon sessions are offered. Closing date: 18 July 2025. 

Community Sports Duty Supervisor - The Community Sports Centre staff are the public face of Ivybridge Community College.  They are often the first person a visitor sees, the first voice they hear over the telephone or the first message they receive via email. It is important that the post holder therefore conducts themselves in a professional and knowledgeable manner to give visitors to the Community Sports Centre a good first impression and that all enquiries are dealt with effectively. Closing date: 27 January 2025. 

Teaching Assistant Grade B - The post holder will work under supervision and direction, usually within the classroom providing general support and assistance as part of a professional team, through the organisation and day to day maintenance of teaching resources and administrative support. Closing date: 27 January 2025. 

Literacy Teaching Assistant - The post holder will work under supervision and direction of the Senior Literacy Teaching Assistant, usually outside the classroom, working with students who need support to fill gaps in literacy and reading. They will be part of a diagnostic literacy team so that precise diagnosis can be followed by evidence-based strategies, which support reading fluency; phonics and blending, and comprehension. Closing date: 27 January 2025. 

Premises and Transport Manager - The Premises and Transport Manager will proactively manage the school’s facilities and grounds, ensuring they are safe, secure, well-maintained, and supportive of high-quality teaching and learning. Closing date: 27 January 2025. 

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

Plymstock School are looking to fill the following vacancies: 

Behaviour Coordinator – Under the direction of their Line Manager, within an agreed system of supervision, the postholder will be responsible for the effective day-to-day organisation, coordination, supervision of students and support of the Reset and Internal Reflection rooms (CORE rooms).  Implementing agreed work programmes with individuals/groups, in or out of the classroom/CORE rooms. Closing date: 27 January 2025. 

Cover Supervisor - The successful candidate will work alongside the Cover Manager, to cover lessons as needed using pre-determined materials, to ensure students are supported in their learning and progress. There is the opportunity if desired, to also support the Behaviour Lead and the Heads of Year, with a focus on supporting students who are identified as having barriers to their learning due to behavioural difficulties. Closing date: 3 February 2025. 

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

Westcountry Schools Trust are looking to fill the following vacancies: 

Business Administration Apprentice - The Business Administration Apprentice will report to the Business Administration Manager and will assist with providing a confidential, effective and flexible administration support service to the WeST Executive Team.  This will include general reception and administrative duties as well as providing a professional and efficient first point of contact with the Trust. Closing date: 7 February 2025. 

Hub Advisory Board (HAB) Administrator - Are looking for a flexible hybrid role? Are you passionate about education and governance? Do you have a knack for administration and a commitment to excellence? Westcountry Schools Trust is looking to add to our team of HAB Administrators to support our Hub Advisory Boards. Closing date: 3 February 2025. 

Secondary Initial Teacher Training (unpaid) - Are you passionate about teaching and ready to make a significant impact on the lives of young people? We are seeking an exceptional individual with vision, energy and passion to join us as an Aspiring Secondary School Teacher, to uphold our core values and guide our vision of Every Child in a Great School. This is a 12-month, full-time, postgraduate programme in a Secondary School environment where you’ll experience a mix of study modules, live training sessions and classroom practice. Study modules can be completed at your own pace through our online learning platform, which will provide you with a foundation of theory to build your practice on. At every stage, you'll be guided by your own personal mentor. Closing date: 20 June 2025. 

WeST Teacher of Modern Foreign Languages Vacancies - All schools teach Edexcel at GCSE and MFL is highly valued by the Trust. Our schools offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities for MFL pupils, including in-house clubs, links with partner schools, and many residential visits to France, Germany, and Spain. The teachers across our WeST MFL departments are dedicated and enthusiastic specialist linguists who work closely together both within the department and have a strong network across the trust, supported by the Executive Director of MFL. Closing date: 4 February 2025. 

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

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