Braunton Academy celebrates ‘Great’ Ofsted report

Braunton Academy is celebrating after receiving a glowing report from Ofsted following a two-day inspection held on 4 and 5 March 2025. 

The school has successfully maintained its 'Good' rating across all areas, with the inspectors recognising the many strengths of the institution.

Fay Bowler, Principal of Braunton Academy, expressed her pride in the report's findings, saying: “Braunton Academy is a very special place of learning, and we are all very proud of this recognition of what our school community stands for. The report is testament to the dedication and hard work of everyone within our community, staff, students and families to ensure excellent educational life chances for our students. We have a very strong culture of high expectations and standards, but these are built on positive relationships and an inclusive ethos that makes us the great school we are. As Principal I am particularly pleased that our students had an opportunity to shine and showcase the way that the Academy operates for them every single day, allowing them to live out our school values.”

The Ofsted report noted that students “value the community at Braunton Academy,” with pupils feeling “safe, nurtured and valued.”

It praised the school’s high expectations for students’ academic, social, emotional, and physical development, highlighting that “pupils aspire to achieve well.”

The quality of the Academy’s curriculum also received recognition, with the report noting that “leaders’ vision for the continued development of the quality of education is shared by staff,” and that teachers “work hard to ensure that pupils study a well-designed curriculum, enabling pupils to build progressively on their prior knowledge.”

The report also praised the broad range of extracurricular opportunities offered to students and commended the school’s commitment to ensuring a happy and effective learning environment. 

“In lessons and around the school, pupils behave well. 

They demonstrate kindness and empathy towards each other,” the report stated.

One area for further development highlighted in the report was the continued enhancement of SEND provision, a focus that the school has already been actively working on for the past year. Inspectors acknowledged the positive impact of the steps the school has taken to address this.

Julie Fry MBE, Chair of the Academy Trust Board, added: “It is great that inspectors have been able to see the impact of the work that we are all doing to ensure that the Academy continues to go from strength to strength. It is a great honour and privilege for us to work and lead such a fantastic learning community where so many people actively participate in promoting the education and wellbeing of our community.”

Braunton Academy is currently finalising its intake for September 2025 and still has places available. Parents of Year 6 students interested in enrolling are encouraged to contact the school on 01271 812221 for more information.