Weekly Parents' Newsletter

Dear families  
 
Welcome to this week's edition of the newsletter.  I would like to start by thanking our Year 10 parents and students for their attendance at the Welcome to GCSEs information evening on Wednesday night.  It was very well attended, and it was good to be able to connect with you early this term to see how students are settling into their subjects and share our key strategies for supporting them.  The PowerPoint is included in the Year 10 section of the newsletter.  
  
This week we have seen some of the first trips of the year with Year 11 student leaders attending a Leadership Day at West Buckland School, and Year 10 Art students visiting St Ives and the Eden Project as part of their GCSE course. Here are some photos from yesterday’s evening lecture by one of the artists: 

Next week we have our final open afternoon for the families who were unable to attend Open Evening.  This is on Tuesday at 3.30 pm.  If you would like to attend, please contact main reception to book a place. 

 Have a lovely weekend, 

Mrs F 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.

School Immunisation Team 

Please follow the link below to the First Aid page of our website where you will find the nasal flu vaccination letters and information leaflet from the School Immunisation Team for all year groups.   

If you require your child to have the flu vaccination, you need to sign up before Monday 6th October at 12 noon. 

First Aid - Braunton Academy - Aspire and Achieve 

Head Lice!

We kindly ask all parents and carers to check their student’s hair for head lice this weekend. While head lice are more commonly associated with younger children, they can affect students of all ages. Regular checks at home help prevent the spread and ensure any cases are treated promptly. 

If you do find evidence of head lice, please treat accordingly before your young person returns to school. For guidance on detection and treatment, you can visit the NHS website or speak with your local pharmacist. 

Thank you for your support in keeping our school community healthy and comfortable. 

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 

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 

Julius Caesar Rehearsals

Week A – Thursday after school until 4.30 pm.  

Week B – Tuesday after school until 4.30 pm. 

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.

Rugby

Year 7 & 8 – Wednesday after school until 4.15 pm 

Year 9 & 10 – Tuesday after school until 4.15 pm 

Please find a link below to the PE page of the website where you will find the updated fixtures list for this year (near the bottom of the page).   

Physical Education - Braunton Academy - Aspire and Achieve

Year 11 News

Year 11 Football tournament at Ilfracombe Academy, Thursday 9th October from 3.30 pm start. Estimated return: 6.00 pm. 

Careers Information Round Up

Kingsley School are holding their Sixth Form Open Evening on Thursday 16th October from 6.30 pm - 8.30 pm.  Please follow the link below to book a place.   

Kingsley School Sixth Form Open Days

Petroc 

Petroc have their latest Open Event on Wednesday 15th October from 5pm – 8pm.  Please contact Petroc direct for further information.   

We have also received a poster from Petroc detailing all their open events for this academy year.  Please follow the link below to the Careers page of our website for all local college and sixth form open event details.   

Careers - Braunton Academy - Aspire and Achieve 

Amazing Apprenticeships 

Below is a link to the latest Choices Magazine – a parents and careers guide to apprenticeships 

Resources - Amazing Apprenticeships 

Amazing Apprenticeships are also offering webinars and workshop providing tips, advice and information around the topic of apprenticeships and technical education.  Please follow the link below for further information or to register. 

Webinars & Workshops - Amazing Apprenticeships

Year 11 Post 16 Options Evening 

You and your child are invited to attend our forthcoming Post 16 Options Evening.  This is an opportunity for you both to gain valuable information about the pathways that are available once your child leaves Braunton Academy. 

Date – Wednesday, 8th October 2025 

Time – 6.00 pm to 7.30 pm 

Where – Isaac Hall 

The event will have representatives from: 

Exeter College 
Ilfracombe Academy 
Petroc  
Bideford College 
West Buckland School 
The Engineering Trust 
Skern Training & Skills 
Kingsley School 
  

The evening will begin with presentations from us followed by an opportunity to talk to tutors from all the post 16 providers.   

This is a good opportunity for the students to build on the information, advice and guidance they need to inform them of the choices available to them for the future.  To assist your child in his/her decisions for the future, he/she will take part in a number of events in Personal Development lessons over the next two terms.  These include Mock Interviews, Interview Skills, Completing Application Form Workshops, Careers Talks and Presentations and support from post 16 providers.  Please encourage your child to make the most of these opportunities to help them in their future planning.  

Mr Parsons, Lead Teacher of Careers & Personal Development

Year 10 News

No Netball club Thursday 9th October due to Year 10 matches 

Thank you to all those who attended the ‘Welcome to GCSEs’ evening this Wednesday evening; it was great to see so many of you. As promised and for those who were unable to attend, I have added the link to the Powerpoint for you so you can read the content at your leisure. Please contact me or Mr O’Brien if you have any queries.

Mrs Craig

Year 10 - Braunton Academy - Aspire and Achieve

Year 9 News

No Netball club Thursday 9th October due to Year 10 matches 

Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE)

I’m delighted to let you know that we are about to launch our recruitment for the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE). 

Why do DofE? 

Doing DofE is a brilliant way for your child to discover just how much they are capable of. It gives young people the chance to make new friends, follow their passions, learn new skills and make a difference in our community. Gaining a DofE Award is a great way to impress employers too.

It’s also non-competitive and a powerful way for every young person to build belief in themselves, whatever their background, interests and abilities. 

How it works 

There are three levels of the DofE Award – Bronze, Silver and Gold. To achieve the awards, your child will need to complete four sections – Volunteering, Physical, Skills and the Expedition.

Students can choose what they would like to do for the first three sections, and we will provide all the guidance and support they need. The Expedition involves spending two days and one night in the countryside, and again we’ll make sure that our young people are fully prepared for it. 

Next steps 

We hope many of our students will take this opportunity to get involved with DofE. The cost is £100 per person, and this will include the expedition costs. 

Places are limited on the programme due to the training requirements. If we are oversubscribed students will be awarded places via a random draw. 

Please confirm your child’s interest by completing the online form and paying a £30.50 deposit (refundable if place not awarded) by 9.00 am on Friday 10th October.

If your child is interested in taking part but the cost is prohibitive, please do speak to me as we may be able to arrange financial support.

We have planned an information event for parents/carers and students who have signed up on Wednesday 15th October from 6.00 pm – 7.00pm. If you have any questions in the meantime, please feel free to contact me. The DofE website – www.dofe.org - has a lot of useful information too. 

I’m the DofE Manager for Braunton Academy, so if you think you might be interested or have any questions, do get in touch. It would be great to get a big group of students together to make the most of this opportunity. 

Thank you for your support. I hope you’ll agree that completing the DofE is the perfect way for your child to feel ready for anything.

Mr Parsons

Year 8 News

None this week.

Year 7 News

Tuesday 7th October  

North Devon Football League, Pilton Vs Braunton Away – 4.00 pm KO 

Team selected will be posted on the team sheet board in school 

Thursday 9th October 

English Schools Cup, Uffculme Vs Braunton Away – 1.45 pm KO 

Team selected will be posted on the team sheet board in school