Prospectus 2012-13 - Braunton Academy

Dear Parent/Carer
WELCOME FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Thank you for your interest in Braunton Academy. I hope that you find the information in this
prospectus both interesting and informative. We are a successful 11-16 Academy School
with specialist status in Mathematics and Computing. In addition we are holders of the
‘International School Award’ in recognition of the strong and active links we have with schools
and colleges around the globe.
We know our students personally
As a staff team we demand much of ourselves and have very high expectations of the
students in our care. Our relatively small size means that we know our students as
individuals. We have an excellent and well qualified teaching team who enjoy the support of a
highly effective team of teaching assistants, technical, site and administrative staff. We
especially value the supportive collaboration with our parents, ensuring that this partnership is
strong and to the benefit of your son or daughter. Our ‘Home-Academy Agreement’ clearly
defines our shared commitments to this important relationship to maximise the support for
learning.
We offer rich learning opportunities
We take great pride in our record of academic success and the opportunities that we offer our
students through our varied curriculum and our extensive range of extracurricular activities.
The school continues to perform well with a sustained good track record of exam results over
the past decade. OFSTED judged the school to be ‘good and improving’ with an ‘outstanding’
grade for safeguarding.
Our young people flourish
During the time students spend at Braunton Academy, we see them develop both
academically and personally. Students enjoy learning here and we have one of the best
attendance records in Devon. Many of our students take on roles of responsibility and
leadership or represent the school in the wider local, national or international community. We
also have one of the highest rates in the county of students moving onto further education
with a considerable number proceeding onto University or other higher education institutions.
Success for all in our learning community
Our aim is to build on the school’s excellence and I look forward to working hard with the staff
and the young people in our care to provide a first class education that meets the needs of all
of our students in a very fast changing world. We are very ambitious for our learners and we
want success for all in our learning community.
Come and see our success as we work
Our Open Evening on September 26 th for prospective Y6 parents and students will give you a
chance to meet the staff and many students who will be very keen to show you how much
they enjoy their learning at Braunton Academy. On five successive mornings following this
event, guided tours can be booked to view the school while the students and staff are ‘at
work’ in their classes. In addition, we will be pleased to arrange tours which can be scheduled
at any time through the year. Please contact my PA, Ms Johnson, to book a tour.
I look forward to meeting you and working closely with you should you choose to send your
child to Braunton Academy
David Sharratt BSc.,MA. (Principal)
- 1 -

Braunton Academy: our values and beliefs
Braunton Academy is committed to providing high quality learning based on a
set of values and beliefs that staff, students, parents and academy directors
have mutually agreed to adhere to.
Values
Beliefs
Respect for everyone
Our community spirit
Honesty
Integrity
Equality and fairness
We believe that everyone has a right to enjoy learning in a
safe and secure environment.
We believe that with rights come responsibilities.
We believe that all learners can achieve and be
successful.
We believe in independent lifelong-learning.
Students are
encouraged to
engage with
younger students
through visits to
our primary
schools. In this
case a student
has written a story
to read to infants
at Southmead..
Our students at Braunton Academy are guided by these important
values and beliefs.
The school has great facilities across the curriculum. We are a Maths and
Computing College. There are four computer suites and several other clusters of
PCs in English, Technology, Music and the Library. The use of IT and digital
technology enhances learner engagement across the entire curriculum.
- 2 -

Braunton College becomes an Academy school.
We have embarked on a very exciting phase of our development as an
Academy school. Our vision is to empower students so they become confident
independent learners who are able to take on the challenges of an
increasingly more complex and environmentally challenged world.
We will continue to improve the learning opportunities for all our young people
and the wider community in the following areas:-
1. Teaching and Learning
We continue to develop our excellent staff further so that they are able to
apply high impact, proven methods of teaching, so that learning is even more
clearly structured, challenging yet enjoyable. We know that students learn
best when they are fully engaged in the learning process through a relevant
varied curriculum experience and not passive recipients of knowledge trained
just to pass tests and exams. We are focused on developing personal
learning, electronic learning and thinking skills while regularly engaging the
students as to how they learn best.
KS3 Learning
challenges.
What are the
products of
combustion of
hydrocarbon
fuels
Students thrive on
challenges and
discovering for
themselves
2. Student Tracking and Monitoring.
We offer high quality support and guidance for our learners. We provide high
quality personal interventions that are tailored to meet the individual needs of
our young people to remove any barriers to learning. When learners are
involved in a regular dialogue with their teachers about their progress in their
lessons and they are given a clear guidance for the next steps in their
learning, they are much more likely to meet or exceed their targets to
maximise their potential. We are always looking to improve our regular
communication with parents and carers by evaluating the way we set up
parents’ consultation meetings. We also stage regular family learning
workshops, targeted at specific year groups or smaller cohorts of students, to
help support learning at home.
- 3 -

3. Improving the Learning Environment.
We create a high quality learning environment where all members of the
learning community can successfully learn and work. When the workplace
looks attractive and inviting, morale rises and better learning follows. We
involve the young people in helping us to improve the quality of the site
facilities, classrooms and any new building projects or refurbishments that are
being planned, or are in progress.
KS3 Music-playing the ukulele in the
Learning Community Orchestra.
KS3 Food technology- an
impressive oven- ready
preparation.
Our young people are also very committed to improving their piece of the
planet and students are actively engaged in developing practical approaches
to recycling resources and environmental sustainability. They are acting
locally and thinking globally and teaching younger people in the primary
schools about the importance of caring for the environment.
We have recently had a cardboard compactor installed, this allows us to
recycle cardboard, tin cans and plastic, we also recycle paper in conjunction
with North Devon District Council. The Academy has had solar panels
installed on the roof of the Humanities block. The panels can produce up to
4kw of electricity that is fed directly into our supply, so reducing our electricity
consumption. We see this in itself as a terrific learning opportunity. When
young people are listened to and their views about improving the site are
taken seriously their respect and value for the Academy increases.
We have refurbished and modernised many areas of the Academy in recent
years. The superb Isaac Hall building was opened five years ago and has
proved to be a great asset to the Academy and wider community. The All
Weather Pitch and the new Tennis Courts are extensively used by both the
Academy and the community. Both of these sporting facilities have been
constructed to a very high specification.
Our new Vocational Outdoor Learning Environment with a poly tunnel, raised
beds and a large arable area is now being used by our students.
- 4 -

4. Developing Learning with our Learning Community and our
Wider Community Partners.
Our Computing and Mathematics specialism is a great way to deepen our
relationship with our primary partner schools, to help raise achievement and
make the transition from KS2 to 3 as seamless as possible. We have
additional staffing who work closely with our primary schools to help raise
achievement in Y6 in a range of subjects including Maths, ICT, Science,
Technology, Art, Music, PE and Drama and to provide an excellent transition
programme to help the learners and their parents as they transfer from Year 6
to year 7. We also offer our excellent facilities and the use of our minibus to
our primary partner schools.
In the summer term before transfer, Y5 and 6 students are invited to
engage in a film animation project with an environmental sustainability
theme as part of our transition plan. Here are the 2012 winners of the
Animation BAFTA awards where the students combined their IT and
creativity skills with their knowledge and understanding of the
environmental threats facing mankind. The standards were excellent.
Additionally, we want our learners to have a very relevant curriculum through
the development of enterprise and vocational learning opportunities by
working very closely with our business partners in the community. We also
want our Academy’s facilities to be enjoyed by increasing numbers of young
people, adult learners and local businesses after hours to promote lifelong
learning throughout the Braunton Learning Community. To sum it all up, this
Academy is about success for all in our Learning Community.
- 5 -

5. A Healthy School
We officially became a ‘Healthy School’ in November 2007 and this was
renewed in 2010 as a result of the hard work invested by our staff to ensure
that the students’ school experience encourages healthy lifestyles, whilst
offering enjoyable high quality learning experiences in a safe and secure
learning environment. We took every opportunity to engage our learners in
sporting opportunities as a ‘Get Set Academy’ linked to the 2012 Olympics.
Our residential
on Exmoor
at Pinkery.
Mountain biking. A Y7
student takes on a very
deep muddy ditch.
Learners are given
physical challenges
and develop team
working skills to build
self- confidence.
Older students help
support the new Y7 on
this residential. This
develops their
leadership skills.
6. Developing our staff through ‘Investors in People.’
In July 2012 Braunton Academy achieved the ‘Investors in People’ Silver
award in recognition of the quality of our staff development programmes. We
want all our teaching and support staff to have a clear focus through their
various roles on improving the teaching and learning opportunities for the
young people in our Academy. All members of staff are encouraged to share
their best practice as to what works best in the learning situation and have the
chance to engage in local and national training and development to benefit all
of our learners. Our staff have the opportunity to take further professional
qualifications which benefit the learners in many ways to provide them with an
excellent role model for life–long learning.
Invest in your staff team
and you are investing in
your learners
- 6 -

Admission Policy of the Local Authority
As an Academy we are still regulated by Devon LA Admission criteria which
details below the order in which priority will be given:
1. Children living in the Academy’s designated area - with a sibling who will
be attending the Academy at the time of admission.
2. Other children living in the Academy's designated area - no sibling, but
attending a contributory primary Academy.
3. Other children living in the Academy’s designated area - no sibling, and
not attending a contributory primary Academy.
4. Children living outside the designated area - with a sibling who will be
attending the Academy at the time of admission.
5. Children living outside the designated area - no sibling, but attending a
contributory primary Academy.
6. Other children living outside the designated area.
Year 7 Admission Limit for 2013 - 2014: 150 students
In addition parents have the right to send their child to the
school of their choice providing they are willing to make the
necessary arrangements for travelling. Braunton Academy
is always willing to discuss the admission of such students.
Visiting the Academy
Students with disabilities are fully integrated into the
Students
Academy and
with
efforts
disabilities
have been
are
made
fully
through
integrated
the
into
provision
the
Academy
of ramps
and
to enable
efforts
wheelchair
have been
access
made through
to most
the
parts
provision
of the
of
site.
ramps
At present
to enable
we
wheelchair
are engaged
access
in a dialogue
to most parts
with the
of t
LA
site.
to
At
enhance
present
access
we are
still
engaged
further.
in a dialogue with the LEA to
enhance access still further.
The Academy holds its annual Open
Evening for prospective parents of Year
6 students in September of each year.
Please contact the Academy for more
details of this event.
If you wish your child to transfer to
Braunton Academy at any time during
the academic year, you should contact
Ms Johnson, Principal’s P.A. at the
Academy’s address. Arrangements will
be made for you to visit us, meet senior
staff and have a tour of the Academy
while it is at work.
Students are happy and enjoy their
learning here. Please book up a tour
to see our students and staff while
they are at work.
- 7 -

Telephone Calls
Parents are able to call the Academy at any time as the telephone
switchboard is staffed throughout the day (including lunch times) or dial 01271
812221 Ext 1 for absence or Ext 2 for the House Office. At other times you
may leave messages on the Academy answer phone.
Application Procedure
Braunton Academy currently has a limit in each year group of 150 students.
Students are organised into all-ability learning groups in year 7 though many
subjects are set according to ability as students progress through the
Academy. The Academy’s admission procedure is in keeping with the Devon
LA policy framework.
If you feel that Braunton Academy is the choice for you, then you should:-
Familiarise yourself with the details of the Academy
contained in this brochure and visit the Academy’s
website.
Attend Academy Y6 Interactive Open Evening
starting in the Isaac Hall at 6.30pm on Wednesday
26 th September 2012 and book to see the Academy
‘at work’ on one of the five ‘School at work’ mornings
that follow ( 9.10 am or 11.30am) starting in the
Isaac Hall from Monday 1 st October.
If you wish to transfer at some point during the
academic year then we can arrange tours of the
Academy at a time to suit you.
Return your Admission Form to the L.A within the
agreed time limit.
We will then contact you to explain in detail the
arrangements for the ‘Academy Induction Day’ for
students, and the ‘Academy Induction Evening’ for
parents and students. Issues such as uniform and
transport are explained as part of this process.
If you have moved into the area and wish to consider
sending your child to Braunton Academy, then please
contact the Principal’s Personal Assistant, Ms Johnson,
who will be happy to help.
INDUCTION DAY
for students Tuesday 9 th July
2013
Y6 worked in mixed school
teams on a science project
focusing on devising a new
communication gadget.
INDUCTION EVENING
for parents and carers
Wednesday 10 th July 2013
Braunton Academy
Barton Lane
Braunton
North Devon
EX33 2BP
01271 812221
admin@braunton.devon.sch.uk
www.braunton.devon.sch.uk
Peer mentors do a great job
supporting our new learners.
- 8 -

Curriculum Aims
ACADEMY CURRICULUM
The aim of the curriculum at Braunton Academy is to provide a range of high
quality learning opportunities within which every student may fulfil their
potential. We firmly believe that each student is an individual and has the
capability to enjoy learning, achieve and succeed. In doing so they
should:
experience new opportunities to learn which build upon the wealth of their
previous knowledge and experience;
enjoy a rich variety of learning experiences;
have the same access to all the opportunities on offer;
be suitably challenged to extend their learning;
achieve high standards through a broad and balanced curriculum;
develop effective personal learning and thinking skills, attitudes and
competencies to become independent lifelong learners.
Homework is regularly set in all years to develop independent learning skills.
We view the National Curriculum as a minimum entitlement.
We are proud of the fact that we offer our young people a curriculum
experience which is a good deal more diverse and rich than the norm.
Further Information
Braunton Academy has developed agreed policies in many areas. Additional
information on these policies and the ‘Home–Academy Agreement’, as well as
details of Subject Schemes of Work, and the procedure for dealing with
concerns relating to the Academy curriculum are all available upon request or
accessible via the Academy’s website.
The Academy day
08.45 – 09.05
Morning Registration
Assembly
09.05 – 10.05 LESSON ONE
10.05 – 11.05 LESSON TWO
11.05 – 11.25 Morning Break
11.25 – 12.25 LESSON THREE
12.25 – 13.20 LESSON FOUR
13.20– 14.00 Lunch Break
14.05 – 15.05
15.05
REGISTRATION
LESSON FIVE
Extra curricular activities.
Extended Academy.
KS3 Food technology: aspiring celebrity
chefs cooking with great passion.
- 9 -

Key Stage 3 — Years 7 to 9
In Years 7 through to 9 all students study a broad range of
curriculum subjects.
Y E A R S 7 - 9 C U R R I C U L U M S U B J E C T S
Mathematics
English
Science
History
Design & Technology
Modern Languages
Physical Education
Art & Design
Drama
Music
Geography
ICT
Religious Education
Personal, Social & Health Education
Setting
Students are taught in all-ability groups in Year 7 except Mathematics.
Setting and banding in a number of subjects is introduced from Year 8.
Key Stage 4 - Years 10 and 11.
Students usually study at least 10 GCSE subjects in Key Stage 4.
Students have some choice within learning areas, but all students are
encouraged to follow a curriculum that is largely broad and balanced.
Students currently follow a Core Curriculum as outlined in the table that
follows.
Y E A R S 1 0 - 1 1 C O R E C U R R I C U L U M
Mathematics
English La Physical Education
Science
Information Technology
Religious Education
Home learning
Citizenship
All students from Y7-11 receive homework which is recorded in their
planners and can be accessed via the internet from the ‘Show my
homework’ link on our virtual learning environment.
- 10 -

GCSE and equivalent courses.
A range of GCSE subject choices listed below is available. Students are
encouraged to continue to study courses in the fields of Humanities,
Creative Arts, Design Technology and Modern Foreign Languages.
English Literature GCSE
Geography and History GCSEs
Philosophy and Ethics GCSE
Physical Education GCSE
Art & Design GCSE
Drama and Music GCSEs
French and German GCSEs
Design & Technology, Graphics,
Resistant Materials,Textiles GCSEs
Hospitality and Catering
Information and Communication Technology (GCSE)
Biology, Physics and Chemistry GCSE
Dual Award Science GCSE,
For the more able student there is the possibility of studying Statistics GCSE in
Year 10 and Additional Mathematics GCSE in Year 11.
A number of students also pursue additional GCSE’s by following extracurricular
courses eg. Italian, Film
For students who are more motivated by vocational learning, a range of
alternative pathways are available including Vocational courses at Petroc and
extended work-related learning opportunities.
Extra-Curricular Provision - In addition to timetabled lesson the
Academy offers a good range of extra-curricular clubs and activities that
take place during lunch time and after core time. The list below indicates a
few of the clubs:-
Bands,Orchestra Jazz Club,
Uganda trip through Amigos.
Students help with the maize
harvest.
Orchestra; various bands;
Jazz club; Choir-singing
club; Homework club
Science/tech(STEM)
Club;,Surfing Team;
Hobby club; Film
club;Environment Club;
Italian; Art club;,Christian
Union; Drama Club;,
Cycling, Climbing, many
sports teams/clubs
- 11 -
We have a strong surfing
tradition of international
excellence in surfing.

Physical Education
At Key Stages 3 & 4 students are taught an exciting
PE curriculum for two hours a week involving a wide
range of sports. A more personalised learning
programme follows at Key Stage 4 with three
distinct pathways for learners to choose from.
Braunton School has several
National and International
surf champions.
Our students enjoy the benefits of an outstanding
athletics track, a fully equipped sports hall with a
dance studio, tennis courts and several acres of
playing fields and the excellent all weather pitch
(AWP) and the new tennis courts.
Music and Drama
The Academy produces major productions and
This year we have pantomimes each year, as
over 70 students well as various smaller drama
engaged in performances. The orchestra,
peripatetic music
bands and the choir perform
lessons
concerts throughout the year
both at the Academy and in the local area.
We also offer an extensive range of peripatetic
music provision covering woodwind, brass,
strings, keyboards, guitars and drums. There is a
thriving tradition of very talented rock musicians
too.
Curriculum Extension
As a community Academy we use the local area and further afield to motivate
and challenge our learners with real life experiences to enrich their learning.
Field Trips offer invaluable learning opportunities in Geography, History,
Science, Art & Design, Religious Education, vocational courses and English.
Curriculum Challenge Days—we have two days during which the normal
Academy timetable is suspended for Years 7– 9 to allow for residential
activities and cross-curricular based projects. These days are staged
throughout the year. It allows students to experience activities away from the
normal classroom environment.
Other activities are organised throughout the year
such as:-
Theatre visits for English and Drama.
The sports facilities are excellent
and we have very high student
engagement on Sports Day.
The athletics track is a wonderful
facility for all learners to enjoy.
We are very proud of our strong
instrumental musical tradition and
success in the Royal Schools of
Music Examinations.
Local visits and trips in all subject areas.
International visits to France, Belgium, Germany,
Italy, Austria, Martinique, Norway, the USA
and Uganda.
- 12 -
Easter 2012: trip to Las
Vegas in Nevada, USA

Sex Education
The Academy policy on Sex Education details the aims and content of this
aspect of the curriculum. We aim to teach students the biological, social and
emotional aspects of sex education within a moral framework which stresses
responsibility and the importance of family values. Aspects of sex education
are covered in Science, Religious Education and Citizenship, Personal, Social
and Health Education.
Support from outside agencies such as nurses, doctors and other health
professionals are also fully integrated in the programme. Parents wishing to
withdraw their children from the Academy’s programme should contact the
Deputy Head (Curriculum) in the first instance.
Careers Education and Guidance
Students have access to high quality
careers advice through the Careers
service based in the Academy.
Jill Cobley, our Careers South West
adviser, formerly Connexions, meets
with students on a ‘one to one’ basis
as well as assisting in the delivering of
careers education in lessons.
The Academy achieved the Investors
in Careers award.
We have one of the highest rates of
students moving onto Further
Education, Apprenticeships and
Employment with training in Devon.
At Braunton Academy all students follow a programme of Careers and
Guidance. This programme is designed to equip students with the decision
making skills to help decide on future Career Pathways, provide them with the
skills to research career options, offer a range of resources to help inform
students of future career opportunities and evaluate their skills and abilities to
help them to progress in their career planning. In Years 7 and 8 students
engage in Careers lessons within their Citizenship lesson. In Year 9 students
have a Careers Week prior to their Options choices for GCSE.
Within this week students are engaged with workshops delivered by a number
of parties including Careers South West, The Army and Plymouth University.
These sessions are designed to provide students with the information they
need to decide what they want to study at Key Stage 4.
- 13 -

Personal development
In Years 10/11 students have discrete Careers lessons within their Personal
Development lessons. Students participate in presentations and taster days
run by the local post 16 education providers. They prepare CV’s and job
applications to present to local employers/Rotary Club members at a Mock
Interview day. There are opportunities to engage in a variety of Careers
Workshops and Fairs throughout the 2 years.
Enterprise Education
Enterprise education consists of enterprise capability supported by better
financial capability and economic and business understanding. Young people
need opportunities to be enterprising through applying their knowledge, skills
and attributes — to 'make their mark'
In Years 10 and 11 students engage in a number of activities to develop their
enterprising learning. These include Enterprise days which in the past have
been Crime Scene Investigation, Braunton Property Challenge, Braunton
Healthy Eating challenge and Bright Futures.
Aiming Higher
Braunton Academy is linked to regional Universities widening access
programmes the aim of which is to improve students’ awareness and dispel
any myths about University education. Events that students can take part in
include: university residentials; summer schools and taster days; careers
workshops and projects.
In conjunction with Petroc and other vocational providers, Braunton Academy
offers a number of work related learning courses and is available to students
who are interested in these areas. Vocational areas available include Motor
Vehicle Maintenance /Body Repair, and Hair and Beauty. This programme
has been very successful with a good proportion of students obtaining
apprenticeships in the vocational area they have studied.
We hold an annual post-work experience employers’ conference. This year
our Y10 students worked in teams to explore the personal qualities, skills
and attitudes that are highly regarded in the workplace by employers.
Students worked to build towers from paper with a tight deadline.
- 14 -

Work Experience
In Year 10 students engage in a week’s work experience. The
onus is on students to find a placement and this helps them
find out about a prospective career pathway. Students can
investigate any career in any location they wish. The only
limitation is that the placement must be health and safety
checked. In the past, students have undertaken placements
all over the UK. Work Experience is invaluable in finding out about the world
of work and beginning to apply the skills that students are developing in
Academy. In 2008 the Academy was awarded the ‘Investors in Enterprise
and Work Related learning’ in recognition of the quality of our careers and
vocational programmes. As a final accolade, we are proud to announce that
we achieved the Investors in Careers award too.
Students in Y10 go on a week’s work experience in a wide range of vocational
areas locally and nationally. We really appreciate the support of our employers
who give our young people excellent placements.
- 15 -

Additional Learning Needs
The Director of Additional Learning Needs, who is the Special Educational Needs
Co-ordinator (SENCo), leads a team of Teaching Assistants who provide shortterm
or long-term support and guidance for students who encounter learning
difficulties. The Department has expertise in meeting the needs of students with
specific learning difficulties as well as those with physical or emotional needs.
Additional Learning
Needs support can be
offered in the classroom
or through withdrawal for
individual or small group
work.
A Special Educational Needs Register of students
with need is maintained, and an appropriate Individual
Educational Plan for each student is issued which
sets specific achievable targets. Additional support is
offered during break and lunchtime, as well as after-
Academy personal appointments.
The Department offers an open-door policy for all
students, as and when the need arises. The Additional Learning Needs
Department recognises its duties with regard to the Disability Discrimination Act
(1995) and the SEN and Disability Act (2001). The Department has agreed
accessibility strategies that will enable greater participation for all students in
Academy activities.
The Department visits primary schools regularly prior to transfer, meeting with
students, parents and staff to ensure all appropriate support facilities are in place
on transfer. Reciprocal arrangements are in place for primary visits to enable
familiarisation of Braunton Academy to build learner confidence.
Continuity of support is maintained through regular links with all SENCos in the
Braunton Learning Community. In addition we access a wide range of multi
agencies to give us additional expertise to meet the learners’ needs.
Learning Support is proactive in assessment of need and closely follows the
accessibility plan (Disability Discrimination Act 1995). Curriculum areas are
monitored to ensure that students with a disability have equal access to all
facilities.
Miss Searle and Mrs Bodimeade lead an excellent Teaching
Assistant Team dedicated to supporting the learners
- 16 -

Able and talented students
The Academy maintains a register of able and talented students and provision
includes curricular and extra-curricular opportunities such as:-
* Departmental challenges within the normal timetable.
* A wide range of challenging competitions, trips and activities.
* Maths, IT and Enterprise Challenges.
* Art Academy, Sport Academy and STEM(Science and Technology)
* Programmes encouraging young people to aspire to University.
* University visits.
* Early entry for GCSEs and Advanced Courses eg A/S Applied Maths.
Some students may have the opportunity to study A/S Maths, additional
languages and other GCSEs after core time.
Assemblies
Academy assemblies help to create our community ethos and enable us to revisit
our codes, values and beliefs. Spiritual, moral, ethical and health issues are an
established feature of our assembly programme. We see assemblies as a great
opportunity to celebrate the successes of our learners. Parents may contact the
Academy if they wish to exercise their legal right to withdraw their child from acts
of collective worship.
The weekly assembly rotation usually follows the pattern below.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Croyde House
All in tutor time
Woolacombe House
Saunton House
Putsborough House
Our assembly
programme is varied
and ecumenical in
approach.
Students regularly
present to others and
take part in our
assembly program
We invite in guest
speakers too ranging
from religious leaders,
health professionals and
other local experts.
- 17 -

Religious Education
At Key Stage 3 Religious Education is delivered as
part of the Humanities curriculum for two periods per
fortnight.
At Key Stage 4 Parents do have the right within law
to withdraw students from the Academy’s religious
education programme, and those considering doing
so should contact the Deputy Head (Curriculum) in
the first instance.
Literacy and numeracy
Effective literacy and numeracy skills play a key role
in enabling students to access the curriculum.
Students are encouraged to look for opportunities to
apply these skills across the curriculum. Teachers
will emphasise literacy and numeracy skills that they
will learn or apply in their lessons
We hosted the ‘Any questions’
session with Bishop Michael
of Exeter.
In addition, students entering the Academy with below average levels of
literacy and numeracy will be given the opportunity to follow an additional
personalised programme tailored to their specific needs.
Literacy skills are further supplemented by a paired reading scheme with adult
volunteers and older students who are trained to support reading. Students
can make rapid gains in these intervention programs
To promote a consistent and effective whole Academy approach to numeracy,
the Academy supports the learners the following four key areas:-
Increasing students’ awareness and use of the different calculation
strategies including standard written methods and the appropriate use
of a calculator
Helping students to develop their thinking and reasoning skills by
providing greater opportunities for problem solving
Supporting students with the handling, analysis and interpretation of
information, including numerical data
Promoting consistently high expectations of precision in drawing and
measurement work.
The School Planner
The planner helps students to organise
their independent learning on the
‘show my homework’ web link.
The planner is a great resource with
important information for lessons.
Parents can communicate via the
planner too.
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Key Stage 3 - Teacher Assessment Results 2012
This table shows the percentage of students at each level at the end of
Key Stage 3 2012.
The number of students at the end of Key Stage 3 was 136.
Figures may not total 100 percent because of rounding.
T E A C H E R A S S E S S M E N T
Percentage at each level
W 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 EP
Students
disapplied
Students
absent
English 0 0 0 1 6 31 46 10 1 0 0 0
Mathematics 0 0 0 4 8 14 23 29 18 0 0 0
Science 0 0 0 0 12 32 31 20 0 0 0 0
Modern Foreign Languages 0 0 0 4 16 40 32 0 0 0 3 0
Design and Technology 0 0 0 0 0 35 57 2 0 0 0 0
Geography 0 0 0 0 3 35 47 10 0 0 0 0
History 0 0 0 0 7 53 32 3 0 0 0 0
ICT + 0 0 0 1 4 20 51 20 0 0 0 0
Art and Design 0 0 0 0 5 32 38 13 6 1 0 0
Music 0 0 0 0 7 60 27 1 0 0 0 0
Physical Education 0 0 0 0 2 57 32 4 1 0 0 0
When students enjoy their learning and they are given the opportunity to
work independently, perform to others, or work together in teams, success
follows.
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Key Stage 4 GCSE and equivalent examination headline indicators.
The number of students in the outgoing Y11 was 151
All the information here is provisional at the time of writing this prospectus.
Students achieving 5 A* -C with English and Maths at C + 58%
Students achieving 5 A* -C 65%
Students achieving 5 A* -G 97%
Students achieving 1A* - G 99%
Overall results for core subjects based on whole cohort
Eng Lang-Lit A*- C 66%
Maths A*-C 79%
Science 1A*-C 68%
Science 2A*-C 58%
Key stage 4 Track record since 2004
Each year has a different ability profile so results will always vary from year to
year.Our ability profile for 2011 in Y11 was very close to the national average.
The chart below shows average trends over the past 8 years calculated on a 4
yearly rolling basis from 2004-2012.
Headline 2004-
2007
2005-
2008
2006-
2009
2007-
2010
2008-
2011
2009-
2012
% 5A*-C 65.3 66.5 70 70.5 70.8 69.5
% 5A*-C with
English and
Maths
52.8 50 53.3 53 52.3 55.8
% 5A*-G 94.3 94.3 95.3 96 96.3 96.3
% 1A*- G 98 98 98 99 99 99
We always very proud of our Y11 GCSE successes. Most students in Y11 met or
exceeded their targets and are proceeding onto further education, apprenticeships and
employment with training. We wish them well in this endeavour
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Student destinations post 16
Braunton students enter a wide variety of educational training courses and
employment when they leave the Academy.
Further Education 85.3%
Work-based training – trainee 2%
Unemployed without training 0.7%
FIGURE 5 Destinations of Year 11 Students 2005
Employed without
Connexions:
training
Cornwall and Devon
4%
Employed with training 6%
Moved away 0.7%
Information not available 1.3%
Class of 2012: looking forward to
a great future.
Reporting
Parents are informed formally of student progress three times a year. There
are two Mid Term Assessments and a full subject written Report. They are
spread across the year, one each term, to monitor progress and provide
consultation opportunities with home. Tutors and Heads of House have an
overview of Reports and are available for consultation, while subject teachers
and Heads of Department can provide more detail of progress.
Attendance
Your child’s progress depends to a large extent upon regular attendance at
Academy. Parents should inform the Academy of any foreseeable student
absence by letter (although a phone call to the Academy in the first instance
would be appreciated). If your child is ill or unexpectedly absent a letter of
explanation must be submitted on return, please call 01271 812221 Ext 1
(absence) to report the first day of absence.
Parents are requested not to arrange family holidays during term time in order
that students do not miss work. The Academy may authorise absence during
term time in exceptional circumstances but approval is not automatic and a full
explanation from the parent is required. Students will need to obtain a Form
S2 from the Head of House if parents intend to take a holiday during term time
and the absence has to be authorised by the Principal.
Braunton Academy Attendance
2011—2012
Overall attendance 94.6%
Authorised Absences 5.1%
Unauthorised Absences 0.3%
One of the best attendance figures in Devon.
Mrs Casey our
Attendance Officer
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Supporting our students’ learning
Our vision for all of our learners
By the time our students are ready to leave us, we want them all to reach
their full academic potential and to be successful independent learners who
can look forward to enjoy a fulfilling, prosperous and healthy life. In addition,
we want our young people to play an active part in making our world a more
peaceful, equitable and sustainable place.
Transfer from Primary Schools
To achieve our vision we are determined to make the transition from the
primary schools as seamless as possible so that the learners can start at
Braunton Academy feeling well prepared, relaxed, confident and aspirational.
A wide range of staff from Braunton Academy will visit students in all the
partner primary schools. We also stage a series of enjoyable family learning
workshops for our Y6 students and their parents.
Students will be organised into learning groups
(each with at least one ‘friendly face’) and will
spend one day with us in July as part of the
Induction process. Parents will also have the
opportunity to meet Heads of House and senior
staff at the Induction Evening arranged in July.
Tutoring
Family learning: the Y6
transition clockwork shop.
The role of the tutor is to support and monitor your child’s progress throughout
their time at Braunton Academy. The tutor is the key link with parents and
regular communication through the Student Planner is essential. The tutor will
build a relationship with each student in their care and will support each
student and discuss both their academic progress and general welfare.
Year 7 students are currently organised into four
learning groups. Tutor groups are organised on
an all-ability basis and according to key stage.
Great care is taken to ensure that your child is
placed with at least one friend of their choice.
The ‘Peer Mentor System’ is also set up which
entails older students being linked to each of the
Year 7 students. The aim is that these ‘buddies’
will offer support and a ‘listening ear’. Y11
prefects also receive training to support younger
students,
Peer mentors are trained to
support the new Y7 intake seen
here enjoying Science on the
July taster day.
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Academy Uniform and PE Kit
We believe that Academy Uniform helps students by removing unnecessary
distractions caused by fashion so that they can focus on personal
development and learning. Academy Uniform is the students’ business suit
and we expect our students to be smart and wear the uniform with pride. All
items must be clearly named.
Wearing of uniform is non-negotiable and is an important part of our Home-
Academy agreement that we require all parents and carers to fully support.
Our uniform is available from Daw & Co. in Cross Street, Barnstaple.
The uniform is as follows:-
Footwear
White polo shirt with Academy house crest.
Academy sweatshirt with Academy house crest.
Plain black pleated skirt (no more than 5cm above or below the knee)
Plain black tailored trousers (no stripes or patterns, cord or denim)
Belts, if worn, must be plain black and no wider than 5cms
Black socks or black tights
Black leather sensible school shoes; no high or pointed heels or boots;
maximum heel 5cm. No trainers/plimsolls, no flip-flops, no skate shoes or
backless shoes.
Outer Wear
Parental choice of suitable waterproof garment but extremes of fashion are not
permitted.
Accessories
Jewellery •Studs in ears ONLY, maximum of one in each ear.
•Piercing in other body parts is not permitted for safety reasons.
Make-up •No make-up or nail varnish should be worn in Academy.
Hair
•No extremes of hairstyles, including shaven heads, tramlines or
unnaturally coloured or multicoloured hair.
Our uniform is our
business suit, we
wear it with pride.
Students may borrow
correct uniform items
on a temporary basis
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1

Physical Education Kit
PE Kit – embroidered initials (2.5 cms) on left breast of shirts and hem of shorts.
Boys
Burgundy rugby shirt with white collar.
Plain burgundy ‘T’ shirt (no logos or slogans).
Two pairs of black PE shorts.
Two pairs of burgundy or white hockey/football
socks.
Pair of training shoes, not skate or leisure
shoes.
Pair of football boots.
Two pairs of white sport ankle socks.
Gum shield and shin pads.
Sweatbands if worn must be white or
burgundy.
Male GCSE students must wear burgundy
GCSE embroidered T shirts.
Girls
Burgundy hooded sweatshirt with Academy
crest .
Two plain burgundy ‘T’ shirts (no logos or
slogans).
Two pairs black PE shorts or cycling shorts.
Two pairs of burgundy hockey/football socks.
Pair of training shoes, not skate or leisure
shoes.
Shin pads.
Two pairs of white sport ankle socks.
Plain black jogging bottoms may be worn in
cold weather.
Sweatbands if worn must be white or
burgundy.
Female GCSE students must wear burgundy
GCSE embroidered T shirts.
All students must bring the correct kit to every lesson even if excused as you
will still be able to umpire or coach.
A note is required to miss PE lessons.
Ear studs must be removed by the student before a PE lesson.
All items of Academy Uniform must be clearly named.
We have great participation rates in competitive sport and have some
brilliant sporting facilities to provide opportunities in a wide range of
sporting activities.
- 24 -
1

Students’ voice
We value the opinions and views of the students at Braunton Academy and
Community College and actively encourage them to play a part in improving
the Academy for all learners. Students are able to help shape the future of
the Academy and impact on current developments. They also feedback to
staff what teaching and learning methods work best for them. In addition, they
also play an active part in the recruitment of new staff.
There is a weekly slot in Tutor Time to discuss Academy issues.
Each Tutor Group is represented on the House Council; which meets every
four weeks.
The Academy Council is selected from the House Council representatives and
also meets every four weeks. The Head Boy and Head Girl attend the
Academy Council and they give feedback to the Academy Directors’ Teaching
and Learning Committee. The Academy Council also has a sub committee –
the Food Users Group.
Students are also selected by departments to give their views and feedback
through the annual review process.
The Academy Council is involved in the appointment of new staff.
Through the personal development lessons students are encouraged to
discuss issues such as bullying and strategies for dealing with it..
Students in Year 7, 8 and 9 are encouraged to act as ambassadors for the
Academy, give guided tours to visitors and act as student receptionists.
In addition, all of the Senior Leadership team are out on duty at break and
lunchtimes and value that time to talk informally to students.
Holly West (Head Girl) Jadeen Lowe (Deputy Head Girl) Jordan Raymond
(Deputy Head Boy) and Max Goodwin (Head Boy) make up our student
leadership team. They represent the students on the Board of Directors.
- 25 -

Charging Policy
1. The Academy Directors’ Policy on Charges and Remissions for Academy
Activities is based on that of Devon LA. A copy of the LA Policy is
available in Academy.
2. The Academy Directors wish to keep available to students all those
educational activities which have been on offer in the Academy in the past,
whether as part of the formal curriculum or an extension of it.
3. It will continue to be Academy policy to accept voluntary contributions in
support of these activities from parents or from sponsoring organisations.
4. The current system of remitting any charge to those families in receipt of
the following:
Income Support
Free School Meals
Income-Based Job Seeker’s Allowance
Child Tax Credit
or where income is less than government advised income.
5. Where practicable financial help to offset some, or all of the cost of extracurricular
visits will be made available to such families.
6. This policy will be reviewed regularly to study the effect on Academy
activities and on finance.
GOVERNING BODY
Role of the Governing Body
The Governing Body of the Academy is made up of 20 individuals who are
concerned for the best interests of our students. The Governing Body is
charged with responsibility of advising, supporting and monitoring the work of
the Academy and its efforts at continuous improvement.
The Full Governing Body meets half-termly on six occasions during the year.
Each meeting of the full Governing Body follows a cycle of committee
meetings. The Chair of each committee then meets with the Chair of Academy
Directors and the Principal to set the agenda for the full Governing Body
meeting.
Committee Structure
The Full Governing Body meets
twice each term, prior to which
there is a meeting of each of these
Committees
• Teaching and Learning Committee
• Resources Committee
- 26 -

The Directors (Governors) of Braunton Academy
The Trust Members and Directors are made up of those detailed below, any of
whom may be contacted through the Academy.
NAME
TYPE OF DIRECTOR/GOVERNOR
APPOINTMENT
EXPIRY DATE
Jennette Baxter Parent Director (Trust Member) 03/12/12
Pat Beevers Staff Director (Non-Teacher) 5/10/12
Ben Byrom
Community Director (Trust
15/10/12
Member)
Andrew Cooper Parent Director 31/10/14
Carolyn Davenport Staff Director (Non-Teacher) 31/08/16
Barrie Eason Parent Director (Trust Member) 15/10/12
Brendan Harcourt Community Director 28/04/14
Ali Hale Community Director 06/04/15
Fay Johnson Company Secretary for the
Ongoing
Academy Trust
Mark Langworthy Parent Director 11/02/14
David Liversedge Staff Director (Teacher) 31/08/14
Rebecca Mooring Parent Director 31/10/14
Chris Reed
Community Director (Trust
06/04/15
Member)
Margaret Robinson Community Director 06/04/15
Linda Sedgwick Community Director 06/04/15
Marguerite
Community Director 15/10/12
Shapland
David Sharratt Principal (Trust Member) Ongoing
Andrew Skinner Parent Director 03/12/12
Mark Walker Community Director 25/07/14
Vacancy Staff Director (Teacher) To be appointed on 01/10/12
- 27 -

FRIENDS OF BRAUNTON
Joining the Friends
The Friends Association is made up of
parents and staff at the Academy who work
tremendously hard in support of students.
The Association meets half-termly and
organises a range of fund-raising activities
and events. It has recently achieved
charitable status which makes gifting to the
Academy tax efficient. The Friends have
raised a considerable amount of money over
the years to provide those important extras
that all students benefit from.
If you wish to join the Friends
Association please contact the
Chairperson, Charlotte Beagley, via
the Principal’s Personal Assistant at
the Academy.( 01271 812221)
Volunteers in the Academy
If you would like to support the Academy on a regular or occasional basis then
please contact the Principal’s Personal Assistant at Braunton Academy. All
volunteers are subject to a CRB check. At present volunteers (often parents) support
the Academy with Paired-Reading, Learning Support, Academy trips and visits, as
well as the many extra-curricular activities.
Come and join us and be a part our success.
- 28 -