I will keep my opening comments in this week’s ‘Weekly Whistle’ short since there is a huge amount of information to follow.

We continue with a flurry of recruitment activity. Many WeST schools are either currently, or about to, recruit to a variety of support, teaching and leadership positions.

Indeed, we are interviewing for the position of Director of Education on Monday 21 March. This position has essentially been brought forward through the retirement of Nick Appleby from TLI and Richard Light’s subsequent involvement in all things TLI. It is for this reason that we were keen to appoint a new colleague with significant primary experience and expertise.

I also note that several of our schools are once again starting to experience an up-turn in COVID infections and the subsequence disturbance to normal school life. Thank you for all that you are doing to continue as normal as possible during your daily school routine.

Best wishes, 

Rob Haring, CEO

HR Update

Dear Colleagues

Support Staff Pay Award 2021

I’m pleased to confirm that, after some considerable time, national agreement has been reached on rates of pay for our support staff from 1 April 2021. An increase of 2.75% for Spinal Column Point (SCP) 1 and 1.75% for SCP 2 and above has been agreed which will be applicable from and back dated to 1 April 2021. We are working with all three payroll providers towards payment for our staff at the end of March. 

There will also be a number of local and national changes which will impact on pay from 1 April 2022. It is important that you are aware of these because the changes will coincide with the change of payroll provider and it’s likely that changes to your pay will be as a result of these initiatives and not because of the move to MHR payroll:

Changes to National Insurance – Health & Social Care Levy

From April 2022, the Government has introduced the Health & Social Care Levy of 1.25%. This will mean that many staff will see higher National Insurance deductions.

The new Health & Social Care Levy will initially be an increase to National Insurance from April 2022. From April 2023 it will be split out into a separate deduction from pay. Our aim is to also include a note on all payslips in April to further highlight that there will be a potential reduction to pay as a result of increased National Insurance contributions from April.

Annual Salary

£20,000

£30,000

£40,000

Monthly Salary

£1,666.67

£2,500

£3,333.33

NI (to March ‘22)

£101.24

£201.24

£301.24

NI (from April ‘22)

£111.79

£222.20

£332.62

Difference

£10.55

£20.96

£31.38

Alignment of support staff annual leave entitlement from 1 April 2022

I’m pleased to confirm the implementation of common annual leave entitlements for all support staff across the Trust from 1 April 2022 as follows:

Employee Groups

Annual Leave Entitlement from 1st April 2022

Status of Days for Term Time Only Staff

Christmas Closure Days

Total

NJC < 5 years’ Service

22

Factored into pay

3

25

NJC 5-9 years’ service

27

Factored into pay

3

30

NJC 10-14 years’ service

28

X1 day taken during term time to be mutually agreed

3

31

NJC 15-19 years’ service

29

X2 days taken during term time to be mutually agreed

3

32

NJC 20+ years’ service

30

X3 days taken during term time to be mutually agreed

3

33

This brings support staff leave allowances in line with the most favourable terms in place as a result of legacy local authority provisions and extends the entitlement to long-service days to all colleagues who choose to stay with us beyond 10 years of service. It also places us more favourably against other large employers in the locality in a competitive market, provides a signal of the value we place in our support staff (who comprise 55% of our staff base) and supports our aim to be the local employer of choice. 

New Local Government Pension Scheme bandings for support staff

The contribution bands for the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) have been updated from April; the contributions you pay may therefore change. The new bands are available at: https://www.peninsulapensions.org.uk/members/local-government/your-contributions/  

New Teachers’ Pension Scheme bandings and change of pension scheme transitional protection  

The contribution bands for the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) have been updated from April, so the contribution rates paid by members of this scheme may also change. The new bands are available at https://www.teacherspensions.co.uk/employers/managing-members/contributions/calculating-contributions.aspx

In addition the period of protected membership in the Final Salary section of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme will end on 31 March 2022 and affected members will be moved to the CARE (Career Average) section of the pension scheme. If you are currently paying into the Final Salary section of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, this will be shown on your pay advice as ‘TP DCC Final Salary’, you will see changes to your pension scheme and contributions from 1 April.

Further information is available at https://www.teacherspensions.co.uk/members/faqs/transitional-protection.aspx  

Many thanks

The HR Team

South West Institute for Teaching ‘Literacy Conference’ 2022

The South West Institute for Teaching ‘Literacy Conference’ 2022 is taking place on Thursday 26 May at Exeter Racecourse. To book on the conference please follow the link here.

Conference includes:

  • Keynote speeches from leading national figures in education – David Didau, John Tomsett and Helen Prince
  • Choice of inspiring workshops from national and regional experts
  • Networking opportunities with school leaders
  • Exhibition from education sponsors
  • Buffet lunch and refreshments

To find out more information about this event, please go here. 

Mindful March 

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.

Recruitment update:

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

Westcountry Schools Trust is seeking to appoint an exceptional individual with vision, energy and inspirational leadership to the position of Headteacher at Austin Farm Academy. The Headteacher will have overall responsibility for the organisation, management and conduct of the school, providing leadership and assisting with the delivery of the WeST strategic direction to ensure the achievement of the highest possible standards of education at Austin Farm Academy. For more information, please go here. Closing date: midday Tuesday 29 March 2022. 

Woodford Primary School are looking for the following vacancies: 

Classroom Practitioner to join their school team to cover a fixed term maternity leave until 31st August 2023. The successful candidate will be expected to have excellent research-based practice in curriculum and curriculum delivery with a genuine drive to achieve the highest standards for all children. Closing date: Wednesday 23 March. 

An inspirational EYFS classroom practitioner to join their school team. The successful candidate will be expected to have excellent research-based practice in the EYFS curriculum and curriculum delivery with a genuine drive to achieve the highest standards for all children as they start their school journey at Woodford Primary School. Closing date: noon on Wednesday 30 March. 

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

Ermington Primary School is looking to appoint an efficient, well organised, customer-focused and experienced administrator to join our dedicated, professional and hard-working team as soon as possible. Good administration and communication skills are essential to ensure all visitors to the school are welcomed in a professional, polite and friendly manner. For more information please contact Karen Sims-Stirling, Business Manager on 01548830459 ksims-stirling@ermington.devon.sch.uk. Closing date: Tuesday 22 March. 

Oreston Community Academy are looking for a Temporary part time School Administrator and Meal Time Assistant required asap until 31st August 2022 – 29.25 hours per week 8.30am – 3pm. Oreston are looking to appoint a highly dedicated and enthusiastic person who can liaise well with children, parents and visitors to join our friendly and supportive school team. For more information, please go here. Closing date: 23 March 2022. 

Chaddlewood Primary School is looking to appoint a teacher with KS1 and/or Early Years experience. Chaddlewood are looking for someone to join their team, from September 2022, 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 journey. For more information, please go here. Closing date: 9am Wednesday 23 March 2022.

Callington Community College are looking for the following vacancies:

Callington are looking for a talented, enthusiastic and inspirational candidate, with outstanding inter-personal skills, to teach English and Drama. You will be well supported by a range of colleagues who are focussed on teaching and learning, and by a comprehensive programme of induction and training to ensure your individual needs are met. Closing date: 9.00am Monday 21 March 2022. 

Callington is seeking to appoint a Cover Supervisor. The successful candidate will oversee classes during the short-term absences of teaching staff. Appropriate work will be provided and it will be your role to manage student behaviour and keep them focused on tasks. You will need to be flexible, have a desire to work with young people and a calm and authoritative manner. Closing date: Friday 1 April 2022. 

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

South Dartmoor Community College are looking an Assistant Headteacher(SENCo) - This exciting opportunity has arisen through the continued drive to raise standards and to meet the needs of every learner. High quality curriculum and its enactment is at the heart of everything we do and is central to the progress and achievement of all our students. South Dartmoor are looking for an exceptional individual to become part of a highly motivated, positive community, determined to enable every child to fulfil his or her full potential. For more information please go here.  Closing Date: Thursday 31 March 2022 at 8.00 am.

Coombe Dean School are looking for the following vacancies: 

Subject Leader of English - The successful candidate will clearly demonstrate the ability to inspire and motivate colleagues and that they are an excellent curriculum thinker and classroom practitioner.  They will be passionate about the role of English as part of the school curriculum. Closing date: 18 March 2022. 

Subject Leader PE - An experienced and well qualified leader who has the ability to inspire and motivate staff and is an excellent classroom practitioner, passionate about working with students. You will be leading a highly successful and well-resourced PE Department. Closing date: 21 March 2022. 

Subject Leader Geography - Coombe Dean are looking to appoint an experienced and well qualified leader who has the ability to inspire and motivate staff and is an excellent classroom practitioner, passionate about working with students. Closing date: 25 March 2022. 

Teacher of History - The successful candidate will be an excellent classroom practitioner and passionate about working with students. The ability to engage, enthuse and inspire young people and colleagues to achieve success is key. Closing date: 1 April 2022. 

Teacher of Mathematics - The successful candidate will be an excellent classroom practitioner, passionate about working with students. The ability to engage, enthuse and inspire young people to achieve success is key and we welcome applications from both experienced teachers and ECTs. Closing date: 22 March 2022. 

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

Ivybridge Community College are looking for the following vacancies: 

  • Teacher of Music
  • Assistant Principal, Director of English
  • Community Sports Development Manager
  • PACE Coordinator
  • Caretaker
  • Casual Minibus Driver

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

Plymstock School are looking for the following vacancies: 

Teaching Vacancies from September 2022:-

  • Teacher of English
  • Teacher of Design and Technology – Food
  • Teacher of Geography PLUS TLR2A
  • Teacher of Music 0.66FTE

Support staff Vacancies:-

  • Sports Centre Leisure Assistant 
  • Administrative Assistant - required as soon as possible.    
  • Exam Invigilators – Required as soon as possible - Please see the Plymstock School website for further information.

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

Hele’s School has a number of exciting opportunities for teaching and support staff available. Hele's School wish to appoint dynamic and ambitious team players with the capacity and commitment to provide high quality experiences and support for their whole school community:

  • Teacher of English
  • Teacher of Geography
  • Teacher of Maths
  • Teacher of MFL (German and Spanish)
  • Teacher of Music 0.4FTE
  • Teacher of Science (Chemistry)
  • Science Technician 0.6FTE
  • Cleaner
  • Cover Supervisor
  • Premises Caretaker
  • Premises Manager

The Application Forms and Applicant Information Packs can be obtained from the School’s website www.heles.plymouth.sch.uk or for any additional information required please contact blakey@heles.plymouth.sch.uk