Weekly Parents' Newsletter
Dear Families
It has been lovely welcoming the students back after the half term break. This week has been full of sporting fixtures this week. Year 11 played their last competitive games for the school, the Year 11 netball team came 3rd in Devon, while the Year 11 rugby team not only won their tournament but have gained the most impressive record of having never been beaten in a competitive team in their full 5 years at the Academy! The Year 10 boys won 4-0 in in the National Cup and now progress to round 4. The school cross-country team also competed this week and retained the Stevens Shield. Congratulations to all the students who have taken part in representing the school this week.
We would also like to share the success of Mr Parsons who has been named the Rotary Club’s ‘Braunton Citizen of the Year’. Congratulations to Mr Parsons on being recognised for everything he does to support the wider community of Braunton.
It has been an intense week for Year 11 as they prepare for the PPEs which start on Monday; they are managing the pressure well and the next two weeks will give them a great opportunity to practice for the summer and benchmark their performance to date.
This week Mrs Woodhead held the first parent coffee morning in the village, thank you to those that attended. The feedback we have received was very positive. On Wednesday we will be holding our next Parental Engagement meeting at 5.30 pm in the Conference Room - please come along for flapjack, coffee and a chat.
On Wednesday evening we also see the drama production of Julius Caesar being performed for one night only at the Landmark Theatre in Ilfracombe. This is an amazing experience for the students performing and for any students that attend. It would be great to see as many of you as possible at the event.
Have a lovely weekend,
Mrs F Bowler, Principal
Whole School Messages
New This Week
Parent Engagement Group
Please join us for our next Parent Engagement Group meeting on Wednesday 12th November 5.30-6.30 pm in the Academy Conference Room. Discussion point; ‘What relevant and user-friendly guidance and information is provided to parents to help them support their child’s learning?’
Julius Caesar
Tickets available now for all families Book via the Landmark Theatre website or Braunton Academy Facebook page.
The Landmark | Theatre & Café in Ilfracombe
Freedom Centre
Thank you for all the donations for the Freedom Centre Harvest Collection which we dropped to the centre before the half term holiday. They were very grateful, and we received a letter of thanks and their most recent newsletter.
Naval Children’s Charity
New Families Hub – your one place for Service family support.
The MoD’s new Families Hub is a ‘one stop shop’ digital platform which signposts to helpful support, guidance and useful organisations.
It offers Service families a wealth of information, guidance and support to help navigate Service family life. The Families Hub is for all Armed Forces (Regular and Reserve) personnel and families, wherever you are in your Armed Forces journey – from the moment you enter the Forces, through to when you leave.
The significant role that Service families play in the Armed Forces community, and the unique pressures that can come with Service life, particularly in times of deployment and separation is fully recognised. To address the challenges faced by Naval families and the pressure Service Life can have there is a wide range of family friendly policies, guidance, and organisations that provide support.
To find out what help is available, use the following link to take you to the new Families Hub
www.discovermybenefits.mod.uk/families/
Catering Menu
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
Head Lice
There have been further cases of head lice around school. Please be vigilant and check your child's hair. Please seek treatment or heavily condition and comb regularly. Headlice and nits - NHS
Airborne Viruses
As the colder months approach, we can expect to see increases in common airborne viruses. Illness is the biggest single reason for school absence; while some absences due to illness are unavoidable, many can be reduced through simple, proactive measures that minimise the spread of infections. Scientific evidence demonstrates that vaccination, disinfection (cleaning), handwashing, and ventilation can significantly reduce the transmission of infectious diseases.
Please take time to read the two links below to help us reduce the number of student absences this winter:
Is my child too ill for school? - NHS
Top tips on how to keep your child healthy at school – The Education Hub
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 3.00 pm 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.
Clubs and Activities
KS4 Sophrology Club – Supporting Exams Wellbeing
As exam pressures continue to rise, many parents are understandably concerned about how their children cope; not just academically, but emotionally. At our school, we are proud to introduce a new initiative aimed at supporting students’ mental wellbeing and enhancing their exam preparation: the KS4 Sophrology Club. Tuesdays after school in Room 40 with Mrs Duthuit.
Year 11 DT GCSE Club every Tuesday in the DT ICT room until 4.30 pm
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!)
Braunton Academy Climbing Club
Select Braunton Academy Climbing Club and your relevant time slot. Any questions please ask. Also, with this new system you can edit the booking yourself should you book the wrong the time slot (depending on spaces).
https://radventuresoutdoors.setmore.com
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 (Room 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
Trips
Tottenham Hotspurs Football Experience – Saturday 14th March 2026 for Years 7-10
Please refer to this letter for full details.
Julius Caesar - Landmark Theatre
🎭 Performance Details
Date: Wednesday 12th November
Time: 7.00 pm
Location: Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe
Tickets: Available via the Landmark Theatre website and through the link on the Braunton Academy Facebook page. Please book early to avoid disappointment!
🚌 Dress Rehearsal & Travel
Weekend Rehearsal: Saturday 8th November, 2.00 – 4.30 pm at school
Dress Rehearsal and Evening Performance: Wednesday 12th November at the Landmark Theatre
Students will travel by bus to the theatre on Wednesday morning and remain there until after the performance.
Please ensure your child brings all costumes and props with them on Wednesday morning.
🍽️ Food and Collection
Students will need packed food for both lunch and supper.
After the performance, students must be collected from the Landmark Theatre at approximately 8.00 pm.
Any questions? Please contact Mr Carroll.
🎟️ Tickets available now for all families Book via the Landmark Theatre website or Braunton Academy Facebook page.
The Landmark | Theatre & Café in Ilfracombe
Christmas Raffle - Calling All Year 11 Parents/Carers
Year 11 are running a school-wide Christmas raffle this year to raise money towards their Prom. They are trying to raise funds to reduce the ticket price and make the event accessible for everyone.
But we need some exciting raffle prizes!
If you are able to donate any prizes/vouchers from companies you work for etc please could you let me know what you can pledge by emailing khayler@braunton.academy
Deadline for donations is Friday 21st November to allow us time to then sell the tickets via ParentMail before the end of term. The raffle will be drawn on Thursday 18th December at 1.30 pm.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Mrs Hayler, Finance Manager
Year 11 News
Careers Round Up
We have received information from the University of Plymouth regarding two upcoming webinars. On Thursday 27th November there will be a webinar entitled ‘Biomedical Science Taster: How Scientists Diagnose Illnesses’ and on Tuesday 25th November there will be webinar entitled ‘AI and Cybersecurity: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly’.
Please follow the link below to our Careers webpage where you can access the link to find further information and to sign up for the webinars.
Careers - Braunton Academy - Aspire and Achieve
Year 10 News
Work Experience
The work experience programme for this academic year has been launched this week. All students will have received a letter, addressed to their parent/guardian, giving instructions on how the scheme works. Please follow the link below to our Work Experience webpage for all the information you need. All student Work Experience placements need to have been entered onto the Unifrog platform by Thursday 2nd April 2026.
Work Experience - Braunton Academy - Aspire and Achieve
Year 9 News
Nothing this week.
Year 8 News
Nothing this week.
Year 7 News
Year 7 Netball matches at Pilton on Thursday 13th November
Leave school on the mini-bus at 3.15 pm and return to school by 5.00 pm. Students need to get changed into their PE kit at lunchtime. Names of players for this match will be posted on the board outside the girls’ changing room.
The Schools Gymnastics Competition
This will be held on Saturday 14th March at Kingsley School. If your child would like to take part, please ask them to see Miss Lane in the PE office.
encompass
plastic free schools
Teacher ambassador
Learning cooperative trust
Ofsted logo
Youth Sport
School Games Gold Award