Weekly Parents' Newsletter
Dear families
I hope you have all been enjoying the sunny weather this week, school always feels more enjoyable when the students get to soak up the sun in social times.
Parent Engagement Meeting
This week has been another busy one with lots of activities going on. Thank you to the group of parents who came to the parent engagement meeting on Wednesday, we had a great conversation about communication, school dinners, uniform, homework, attendance and lots more. We agreed that at the next meeting we will focus on the information families receive about what the students are learning and if there is anything we can do to improve. We were given positive feedback about the new Friday newsletter. In the meeting there were a couple of queries about Sparx that we are currently looking at and will communicate these to all parents in the whole school message section in the next couple of weeks.
New Chair of Trustees
At the annual Trustee Business meeting last week Mr Andrew Chapple was voted Chair, with our previous Chair Ms Fry MBE, stepping down to Vice Chair for the coming year. We would all like to thank Ms Fry for her dedication to the role and we look forward to working with her in the future in her new role. In the attachment provided there is further information on the changes to the Trustees board and a pen portrait for Mr Chapple for you to read.
Trustees Update Letter September 2025
SEND Update
When I wrote to families after the Ofsted report was published in April last year, I shared that as the development of provision for SEND students was the key area for development I would update parents throughout the coming year on the work that we are doing to improve this area. Click on the link to see the full update and the pictures of the renovated SEND area in school.
Changes to SEND letter September 2025
Open Evening
It was wonderful to see so many parents and prospective students at our Open Evening last night. The students who came to support were really helpful and we received lovely feedback from families about how they interacted with them during the event. For any families who were unable to attend we are running two additional tours on:
Thursday 2 October at 9.30 am and Tuesday 7th October at 3.30 pm. If you would like to book on to one of the tours, please email admin@braunton.academy.
Have a lovely weekend,
Mrs F Bowler
Principal
Whole School Messages
Catering Menu – Autumn Week A
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.
Messages for Students During the School Day
Any messages for students that are requested during the school day need to be shared with Reception no later than 3pm on that day.
Please remember messages to students during the school day should only be required to be delivered in rare / emergency circumstances.
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.
The Freedom Centre
Students are being offered the chance to win a box of chocolates for their Tutor Group! Attached to this email is a list of items much-needed by The Freedom Centre to support their work with local people who are vulnerable and socially excluded. If you are able to, we welcome donations of items from the list; these can be taken to Mrs Woodhead’s office. Many thanks for your support.
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
Thursday - Lunch Time - Music Club
Thursday - 3:15 - 4:15 - School Orchestra
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.
Trip – Exeter Chiefs on Sunday 7th December 2025
9.00 am departure. Arrive back around 9.00 pm. Travel by bus.
Exeter Chiefs vs Cheetahs. Super Sunday event - includes tour of player facilities, match ticket, training session with Exeter Chief coaches, chance to wave flags on the pitch to welcome the players out for the game. £48 per ticket on ParentMail. Open to all.
Year 11 News
November PPE timetables
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.
Netball matches at Park on Tuesday 30th September, the names of students involved will be posted on the board outside the girls changing rooms. Return to school 5.50pm.
Careers Information Round Up:
Petroc
Please find links below to Careers page of our website where you will find the latest Petroc Newsletter for year 11 students and a letter for year 11 parents.
Bideford College Sixth Form Open Evening
Please use the link above to view a poster giving details of the upcoming Bideford College Sixth Form Information Evening to be held on Thursday 27th November, 4.30pm - 7pm.
Please contact the colleges direct for further information about open events.
NHS Careers Event
Unfortunately, the AHP, Pathology and Pharmacy careers event due to take place on the 11th October at North Devon District Hospital has had to be cancelled.
First Ever Girls Into Ocean Science Event, University of Plymouth
The University of Plymouth are offering a unique opportunity to explore the world of ocean exploration and marine science through hands-on activities and inspiring talks from leading female scientists in Britain’s Ocean City. Activities include building and testing your own Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), learning how we map and explore the deep ocean, and more.
The event takes place on Friday 31st October from 9am – 3.45pm. Lunch is provided, with limited travel bursaries also available. This exciting complimentary event is designed for young women, students who identify as female, and non-binary students in years 10 and 11. To find out more follow the link below:-
Girls into Ocean Science - University of Plymouth
Follow the link below to book a place.
Girls Into Ocean Science October 2025 | University of Plymouth
Year 10 News
'Welcome to GCSEs' Information Evening: Wednesday 1st October 2025
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 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)
First Ever Girls Into Ocean Science Event, University of Plymouth
The University of Plymouth are offering a unique opportunity to explore the world of ocean exploration and marine science through hands-on activities and inspiring talks from leading female scientists in Britain’s Ocean City. Activities include building and testing your own Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), learning how we map and explore the deep ocean, and more.
The event takes place on Friday 31st October from 9am – 3.45pm. Lunch is provided, with limited travel bursaries also available.
This exciting complimentary event is designed for young women, students who identify as female, and non-binary students in years 10 and 11. To find out more follow the link below:-
Girls into Ocean Science - University of Plymouth
Follow the link below to book a place.
Girls Into Ocean Science October 2025 | University of Plymouth
Year 9 News
Netball matches at Park on Tuesday 30th September, the names of students involved will be posted on the board outside the girls changing rooms. Return to school 5.50pm
Year 8 News
Netball matches at Park on Tuesday 30th September, the names of students involved will be posted on the board outside the girls changing rooms. Return to school 5.50pm. No netball training.
Observatory for Mathematical Education
In association with the University of Nottingham and the Observatory for Mathematical Education, our year 8 students are participating in a research project about mathematical education in secondary schools. This survey is designed to help us understand students’ feelings about maths, including how much they enjoy it and how they experience learning maths at school.
Below is a link to the Year 8 page where you can find the letter regarding this research. Should you wish to withdraw your child from the survey, please click on the link in the letter and complete the withdrawal form. Should you wish you child to take part, you do not need to do anything.
Observatory for Mathematical Education withdrawal of Consent Letter
Year 7 News
School photos
Have you ordered your child’s portrait school photos yet? A polite reminder that the closing date for free delivery back to school is Tuesday 30th September 2025. Order through the Tempest website using your unique link or visit www.tempest-orders.co.uk. If you need any assistance in ordering your photos, feel free to contact Tempest on 01736 751555 (option 3).
No netball training this week.
Dear Forces Families
Please could you email shart@braunton.academy to let school know whether you are due any upcoming deployments or long-term courses. If you are a year 7 forces parent, please could you confirm who your child is so we can add them onto our system as Forces and ensure there is support throughout the year.
We want to ensure that our students wellbeing is supported through this transition, and any support is put in place if needed. I am looking at setting up a forces club, connecting with Aggies and Welfare to support our children, this information would be extremely helpful.
Thank you for your support
Mrs Hart / Mr Twohig
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
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