Weekly Parents' Newsletter
Dear Families
I hope you have had a lovely week and like the students and staff you are looking forward to the extended weekend. This additional day is a tradition at the Academy that has run for over 20 years; it was put in place to support the students and staff in the longest term when the mornings and nights are dark and everyone is more susceptible to coughs and colds. This week we have seen a dip in attendance with both staff and students having picked up the usual winter bugs. This has led to slightly more cover in school than usual and made it more difficult for the pastoral teams to contact parents within the usual 48 hours. Please bear with us; we are trying to manage everything as quickly as we can with a reduced work force. Hopefully the additional day will give everyone a bit more rest and energy for a fantastic three final weeks of the term.
It was lovely to welcome back the Class of 2025 and their families last night to receive their GCSE certificates. It is wonderful to hear how much they are enjoying their post- 16 provision. It was a lovely occasion to be able to formally celebrate their achievements over the past five years with us. We wish them all the best for the future.
This week's sporting congratulations go to the Year 9 boys’ football team that came from one nil down to score two goals in the final minutes of their final to clinch the title as Champions of North Devon - well done to all of them.
In sadder news, many of our local families and students are aware that a student at Southmead Primary is very ill and fund raising is taking place to support the family with the cost of the medical treatment and support he will need. Last week some of our students raised £70 by selling refreshments at the after-school football matches and they are also discussing further fundraising events over the next couple of months. We have been asked to publicise this with parents, so please find the link to the funding page Fundraiser for Deborah Coupland by Jodie Davis : Financial support for Debbie, Nick & family ❤️.
This week I have presented at an online webinar hosted by Generation Focus talking to over 100 headteachers who are looking to follow us with the smartphone free policy. This issue is gaining a great deal of media and political attention with questions being asked in Prime Minister’s Questions last week. The hope is that the government will legislate to make it easier for parents and schools to adopt a smartphone free policy to support our children’s wellbeing. We have also been approached by King’s College London University to be involved in a study into the impact of the smartphone free policy. We are currently in discussions with them, and I will write to you with further information as this project develops.
Have a lovely weekend.
Mrs F Bowler, Principal
Whole School Messages
Attendance: Late/Absent
Please ensure all absences, lates, appointments, etc. are recorded on ParentMail. Phone calls and messages will delay your child’s attendance being recorded accurately. Many thanks.
Thursday 4th December 4.00-5.00 pm SEND Parents Information Evening
Many apologies – this has been postponed. A new date will be advised.
Health and Safety Notice – Hot Water Bottles
Students are not allowed to bring hot water bottles on site due to the potential risk of scalding. Any found will be confiscated and left at Reception for collection at the end of the day.
Borrowed Uniform
If your child has borrowed uniform from Pastoral, especially a tie, please check and return them promptly. We no longer have uniform for students to borrow, as a result of students not returning or collecting deposits.
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.
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.
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.
Clubs and Activities
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!)
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.
Julius Caesar – Full Cast Rehearsal
Tuesday: Isaac Hall after school until 4.30 pm. This is to rehearse an in-school performance on Wednesday 10th December.
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
Wednesday –Lunch Time and Thursday - 3:15 - 4:15 - School Ensemble
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.
The extended deadline for deposits is 9.00 am on Wednesday 3rd December.
Year 11 News
Year 11 Parents’ Evening will take place on Thursday 11th December. You will be able to book your appointments online using SchoolCloud - Braunton Academy from Monday 1st December from 6.00 pm onwards.
Year 11 students will bring home their Autumn Term MTA also on Thursday 11th December, this will have their PPE results on as well as their usual MTA information.
Message from Devon County Council – Outward Bound Adventure Opportunity
The Sir Francis Chichester Trust is offering FREE places on 14 and 19 day (Summit & Pinnacle) Outward Bound adventures for young people aged 16–22 living in Devon, (including Plymouth & Torbay). Courses run in July/August 2026 at Outward Bound centres in the Lake District, Wales, and Scotland. Application deadline: 20 January 2026.
We invite you to encourage young people to apply. These life-changing expeditions help young people transition into sixth form, further education, or work. Participants build confidence, teamwork, and resilience - skills that change lives and stand out on personal statements and CVs. They’ll meet peers from around the world and discover what they’re truly capable of. One young person who attended in 2025 said: “This experience showed me that I’m capable of far more than I ever believed and has inspired me to take on new challenges in life.”
Applicants need to enjoy and have some experience of outdoor challenges and wouldn’t normally have the opportunity of such an adventure and the positive benefits it can bring.
Shortlisted applicants must be able to attend interviews in Exeter on 26 or 27 February 2026. Application forms and more information are available at: Sir Francis Chichester Trust | The Outward Bound Trust. The Sir Francis Chichester Trust will meet the full course fee (around £2000 /person) for successful applicants.
Travel:
**Successful applicants will be responsible for arranging and paying for their own transport between Devon and the Outward Bound centre of their choice, as well as travel insurance. However, if transport costs are prohibitive then we will look at additional support if possible. Bus transfers from stations near to Outward Bound centres are available.
This is a rare and exciting opportunity for young people who love the outdoors and are ready to grow. If you know someone who fits the bill, please encourage them to apply—and feel free to get in touch with any questions.
Sent on behalf of The Sir Francis Chichester Trust
Further information at: Sir Francis Chichester Trust | The Outward Bound Trust or email the Trust Manager: info@chichestertrust.org.uk
Careers Round Up
Please follow the link below to the November Petroc Newsletter for year11 students.
Year 10 News
Year 10 Netball matches Tuesday 2nd December at Park (rearranged from 11th November) Names are on the notice board outside the girls’ changing room. Return to school at approx. 5.45 pm/6.00 pm.
Work Experience
Please can we remind students/parents to start thinking about where students would like to go for their work experience placement starting on Monday 18th May 2026. The deadline to get the placement details entered onto Unifrog is Thursday 2nd April 2026. For all the information you need, please visit the Work Experience page of the website – link below. If your child needs help with finding a placement, please ask them to speak to Mr Parsons or Mrs Martin.
Work Experience - Braunton Academy - Aspire and Achieve
Year 9 News
Year 9 Netball matches Tuesday 2nd December at Park (rearranged from 11th November) Names on the notice board outside the girls changing rooms. Return approx. 5.45/6pm
Year 9 Assessment Exams – Thursday 15th to Monday 19th January 2026
We would like to inform you that Year 9 assessment exams will take place during the second week back after the Christmas break, from Thursday 15th to Monday 19th January. These assessments are an important opportunity for students to demonstrate their progress and prepare for the demands of GCSEs.
For English, Maths, Science, Geography, History, and Languages, exams will be held in the Sports Hall under formal conditions to give students valuable experience of the environment they will encounter during their real GCSE exams. This practice helps build confidence and familiarity with the process.
Subject teachers will provide revision lists to support preparation, and we strongly encourage families to help students plan and complete their revision at home. Your support in creating a calm, focused environment and checking in on their progress can make a significant difference. We will be providing students with their exam timetables soon, so please encourage your children to plan their revision and study timetable. Thank you for your continued support in helping our students achieve their best.
Year 8 News
No Netball club Tuesday 2nd December due to matches
Year 8 Netball matches Tuesday 2nd December at Park (rearranged form 11th November) Names on the notice board outside the girls changing rooms. Return approx. 5.45/6pm
Year 7 News
No Netball club Tuesday 2nd December due to matches in the older years.
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