Weekly Parents' Newsletter

19th September 2025 
 
Dear families 
 
Although it feels like we have been back for a long time, students have only just completed the first full cycle of their two-week timetable.  Students continue to be settling back in to school life very well.  It has been a pleasure seeing the hard work they have been putting into their lessons this week.  

Last week I included the press release on the GCSE results.  We knew that the students and the Academy had done very well, however this week we have had confirmation that their results were the fourth best in the county, this is the best the Academy has ever achieved having reached sixth for progress in 2023.  Congratulations to all the students and the staff for their hard work.   

Last week we were very privileged to have the world-renowned cellist Johannes Moser visit the Academy and perform for the Year 7 and GCSE Music students; it was a wonderful occasion and the feedback from the students was very positive.  It has also been great to see how many students have engaged in the extracurricular offer at lunchtime and after school.   

I would like to thank families for their support arranging for their children to help at Open Evening on Thursday next week. All students involved have been given a permission slip for you to sign and return before Thursday next week.   

On Wednesday next week we have our next Leading Parent Partnership group meeting, the first meeting last term was very successful and allowed us to make changes to support parent engagement, one of these is the weekly newsletter you are reading now.  We would love as many families as possible to get involved in this work so if you are free at 5.30 pm on Wednesday please come along for a coffee, cake and discussion on the parental engagement plan.   

Have a lovely weekend,  

Mrs Bowler 
  
Principal 
 

 
Whole School Messages 

 
Catering Menu – Autumn Week B 

This is a polite reminder that we are a nut free school. Please ensure your child does not bring nuts or food containing nuts as part of their lunch. Many thanks. 
 
Contact with School 
  
Please use the email contact list on our website (link below) to help you direct your enquiries to the correct members of staff.   
  
Specific Contact Options - Braunton Academy - Aspire and Achieve  
 
Lost Property  
 
Any lost property that has not been claimed by the end of each half term will be either disposed of or donated to charity. Please label all children’s belongings and encourage them to check lost property for anything they may have misplaced.  

Clubs and Activities 
 

Homework Club All years, every day after school in the library 3.15-4.15pm  
 
German music club Every Thursday lunchtime in room 43, bring your packed lunch and let’s listen to and study German songs together! Open to all year groups (and staff!)  
 
French pen friend club Every Friday lunchtime in room 43, bring your packed lunch and let’s write letters in French to send to two French schools and get a pen-pal friendship going! Open to all year groups.  
 
Creative Writing Club After school (15:30-16:30) in the Library. A great opportunity to explore all forms of creative writing with like-minded people from across the school. Limited spaces. All years welcome. Please see Miss Reed (Rm 66) to sign up!   
 
Music Clubs - Please see Mr Thomas at break or lunch to sign up  
Tuesdays - Lunch Time - Choir Rehearsals  
Wednesday - 3:15 - 4:15 - School Orchestra  
Thursday - Lunch Time - Music Club   
Friday - Lunch Time - Jazz Band 
 
PE and Sports Clubs  
 
Students playing Football on the AGP at lunchtimes must wear their shin pads with trainers or football boots. They do not need to wear PE kit. 

Fundraising

 
Hello, my name is Poppy Ainsworth,  
I’ve just launched a raffle on Raffle to help raise money for my trip to Uganda next summer, where I’ll be volunteering at Kira Farm.  
Tickets are only £10 each, and you could win a 2-night stay in the Cotswolds! The winner is chosen completely at random by the Raffle system, so it’s fair for everyone.  

Every ticket bought would really support my fundraising journey and bring me a step closer to making this trip possible!  

Here’s the link to get your tickets: https://raffall.com/391777/enter-raffle-to-win-a-relaxing-cotswolds-break-hosted-by-poppy-ainsworth  

Thank you so much for your support — and good luck if you enter! And please feel free to share this with friends and family too! 

Year 11 News 
 

Countdown to GCSEs Many thanks to all of you who attended the ‘Countdown to GCSEs’ evening on Thursday. There was a lot of information delivered so as promised I have shared the slides to this for you on the Year 11 page of the website to peruse at your leisure. 

Year 11 - Braunton Academy - Aspire and Achieve 
 
Students will be receiving their November PPE timetables on Monday 6th October when they will have another assembly on revision planning. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask Mrs Craig. 
  
GCSE Design & Technology After school club 3.15 - 4.15pm. It will take place every week until the NEA is completed. All students are expected to attend.   
 
Snowsports Trip Meeting for all parents and students going on the trip December 2025.  Wednesday 24th September in Isaac Hall 6pm. Please bring PASSPORTS and GHIC cards.  
 
Careers Information Round Up:  
   
NHS Diagnostics Careers Event  
  
The NHS are offering a "Discover Diagnostics" Careers Event at the South West Imaging Training Academy, Plymouth on Saturday 20th September 2025, 9am -12pm or 1pm – 4pm. It's the perfect opportunity to find out more about the incredible careers that make up radiography, pathology, and healthcare science and how to get into them.   
   
It's free to attend but tickets must be booked for each attendee, for either the morning or afternoon session, by scanning the QR code on the poster (below), or following the links:   
  
Morning - https://app.tickettailor.com/events/nhs36/1653669  
  
Afternoon - https://app.tickettailor.com/events/nhs36/1653713  

Post 16 Open Events  
  
Petroc  
  
North Devon Campus, Barnstaple  
Wednesday 15 October, 5.00 – 8.00pm  
Thursday 4 December 2025 5.00 - 7.30pm  
Wednesday 25 February 2026 5.00 - 7.30pm  
Saturday 28 March 2026 10.00 - 12 noon  
  
Open Events - Petroc College  
  
Ilfracombe Academy  
  
Thursday 2nd October  
  
The Ilfracombe Academy - Admissions  

 Cornwall College – Bicton, Duchy and Falmouth  
  
All campuses run open events and taster events. Please refer to their website for dates and booking.   
  
Events - Cornwall College  
  
Exeter College  
  
Wednesday 7th October 2025  
Friday 20th November 2025  
Thursday 22nd April 2026  
  
Open Events - Exeter College  
  
Bideford College  
  
Thursday 27th November 2025 – 4.30pm - 7pm  
  
Bideford College - Sixth Form  
  
West Buckland Sixth Form  
  
Saturday 20th September 2025 – 9.30am - 12noon  
  
September Open Day - West Buckland School  

 
Year 10 News 

 
'Welcome to GCSEs' Information Evening: Wednesday 1st October  
 
Dear Parents/Carers 
 
I would like to formally invite you and your Year 10 child to a short information meeting on Tuesday 1st October at 6.00 pm in Isaac Hall.  
  
Information from the Heads of English, Maths and Science will be given related to the programmes of study for Key Stage 4 in order for you to have a greater understanding of how you can effectively support your child.  
 
We will also use this opportunity to update you with the plans for the students’ qualifications and interventions.  
 
The intention is for the meeting to be concluded by 6:45 pm and we would really appreciate as full attendance as possible.   
 
Mrs Craig, Assistant Vice Principal (Curriculum, Raising Standards and Student Progress)  
 
Snowsports Trip Meeting for all parents and students going on the trip December 2025.  Wednesday 24th September in Isaac Hall 6pm. Please bring PASSPORTS and GHIC cards.  
 

Year 9 News 
 
 

Snowsports Trip Meeting for all parents and students going on the trip December 2025.  Wednesday 24th September in Isaac Hall 6pm. Please bring PASSPORTS and GHIC cards.  
 

Year 8 News 
 
 

Snowsports Trip Meeting for all parents and students going on the trip December 2025.  Wednesday 24th September in Isaac Hall 6pm. Please bring PASSPORTS and GHIC cards.  
 

Year 7 News 
 

Supporting Your Child with Languages Homework  
 
At Braunton Academy we are dedicated to ensuring that students develop strong skills and confidence in Languages. To help achieve this, we kindly ask for your support in encouraging your child to complete their homework regularly. Homework reminders with a specific deadline will be posted on Class Charts from next week.  
 
Language homework is generally set on an online platform called LanguageNut. The school has issued your child with a username and login details.   
 
Students are expected to spend 30 to 40 minutes per fortnight on their French or Spanish homework. This approach allows them to manage their time effectively while reinforcing the learning they’ve done in class. The tasks will be set but their language teacher.  
 
We have observed that some students tend to postpone their homework tasks until the evening before the deadline. This practice can lead to unnecessary stress and may limit the quality of their work, so please encourage them to complete their homework task at least 24 hours before the deadline. Your involvement in monitoring and encouraging their homework efforts can make a significant difference in their progress. Simple steps like discussing what they’ve learned, setting aside quiet time for studying, and celebrating their achievements can build their motivation and enthusiasm.  
 
If your child has issues accessing LanguageNut, please let me know and I will take them to a computer room at lunchtime to show them how to access the work easily.  

Thank you for your continued support. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the homework policy or tasks, please do not hesitate to contact me at eduthuit@braunton.academy.   
  
Mr E Duthuit, Head of Faculty for MFL & Business