October 2026

 

Dear Families

Online safety assembly: KS3

 

The online world is an essential part of our daily lives and learning how to use technology safely is an essential skill for young people. Apps such as Snapchat and WhatsApp are extremely popular, but risks are posed and it is important that schools, parents, carers and families work together to take an active role in teaching young people about online dangers and harm.

 

Learning how to use the internet safely is an essential part of safeguarding our children. Learners at Brannel School learn about how to keep themselves safe through our Personal Development curriculum which is delivered through tutor time and assemblies.

 

To further support, we are working with the Police this term, to deliver an assembly on the sharing of indecent images to KS3 (Years 7, 8 and 9). This will educate young people on the law, and ensure our young people know who to talk to, either at school or home. We are hoping this early intervention will prevent young people from sharing explicit images, provide them with the knowledge and confidence to speak up should they have any concerns/worries.

 

These assemblies are scheduled for 7th, 8th and 9th October. We feel this is a valuable source of education, but, if you prefer your child to not be in attendance, you can request this by communicating this preference to their Head of Year, or via the Safeguarding team.

 

We are always actively working with our parents, carers and families and if you have any questions or concerns relating to your child's online use or any other safeguarding issues, please don't hesitate to contact the Safeguarding team at school.

 

Yours sincerely

Mrs A Macdonald

Assistant Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead

23rd September 2026  

 

Dear Families   

    

Today, Ofsted has published the report from the inspection they carried out of our school last term. I’m pleased to say that it is an accurate reflection of our school, and I am proud of the way it highlights our accomplishments in our first year working together.   

    

There is of course still progress for us to make together. However, the report should give us confidence that the direction we have set together, is the right one.   

    

The report shares many examples of how we, as a staff team, have: “galvanised the school's approach to improving the quality of provision for pupils.”    

    

I take this as a great compliment to my whole staff team. I also see it as a huge and well-deserved compliment to you for your support on our school improvement journey. I never underestimate the value of that support. Please believe the inspection report when it says we are working hard “to improve communication with parents and carers.”    

    

Ofsted’s new reporting system judges schools on a five-point scale in six categories, along with Safeguarding practices simply being ‘met’ or ‘not met’. Inspectors have graded Brannel Schools safeguarding policies, practice and culture as ‘meeting the needs of its learners’. They have also stated that we are meeting the expected standard in three of these categories, and said three more still need attention.   

    

This echoes our own self-assessment, and perfectly reflects the priorities we set when I started last September:   

    

• to create a safe, inclusive and aspirational culture   

• to fairly and consistently set high expectations for attendance and behaviour   

• to improve our offer for all learners, starting with those with the greatest needs.    

    

Over that time, and with support from the local authority and our Trust, we have seen:    

    

• attendance rise sharply – a clear sign that our learners feel more welcome than ever,    

   hold a sense of belonging in our school and they see coming to school as worthwhile   

• suspensions and the use of RESET decline sharply – proof that behaviour in classrooms   

   and around school now supports a positive learning environment    

• earlier and better identification of need – a vital part of ensuring every learner can    

   access our curriculum.   

    

The Ofsted report highlights all of these strengths multiple times. Stating that “leaders have implemented a breadth of effective strategies to reduce the barriers that some pupils face in attending school” and that “pupils feel valued, welcomed and nurtured at the school. They are ambitious and want to succeed.” They also note that “the school is a calm, harmonious learning environment” and that “fair, nurturing relationships between staff and pupils support the positive management of behaviour.” As a result, they say, we “have succeeded in establishing calm, productive classrooms where pupils are able to learn with few distractions”.   

    

Crucially, inspectors also praise our work to improve our curricular and extra-curricular offers for all learners. They say “the curriculum is well designed”, and I’m proud that they also noticed that “the take-up of extra-curricular opportunities by pupils with SEND and disadvantaged pupils is particularly high.”   

    

All of this should be highly encouraging to all of us, but the truth is that these are only the foundations of a very effective school. Now, we have to build on these foundations so that every child here reaps the benefits of an exceptional educational experience on their outcomes and life chances.   

    

The signs are there that we already are. The inspectors expressed faith in our approach and noted early signs of improvements in our results. But they say “it is too soon to see the full impact of our work’ in all areas.   

     

Inspectors praise CELT’s leaders for “knowing the school well and providing additional leadership support for both curriculum and teaching.” I would, here, like to thank all our CELT schools and wider support teams, whose leaders and teachers have supported us in a multitude of ways this last year.   

    

In short, at all levels, we are driving forward with an effective plan to ensure each child at Brannel School has an excellent, rounded education and all the opportunities that come from it.   

    

This report is a testament to our team spirit – a team spirit embodied by ‘Brannel Nation’, of which you are an instrumental and valued member.   

    

Thank you again for your support on this mission, and I look forward to getting in touch with you again soon.   

 

You can read the full report on our school website, https://www.brannel.com/ofsted  

    

Yours sincerely  

Mr T Muller-Forster  

Headteacher   

17th September 2026 

 

Dear Families 

 

Important Information Regarding Allergies and Nut Products in School 

 

At Brannel School, the safety, wellbeing and inclusion Of all our learners is our highest priority. As part of the Cornwall Education Learning Trust (CELT) approach to allergy safety, we are committed to providing a safe learning environment for learners with allergies, including those with severe nut allergies, who may be at risk of experiencing a life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). 

 

The Trust recognises that allergies can be serious medical conditions and that reducing exposure to known allergens is an important part Of keeping children safe. This commitment is reflected in the Trust's allergy management arrangements and strategic objective to reduce exposure to known allergens wherever reasonably possible. 

 

In line with strengthened national statutory guidance for allergy safety in schools, from September 2026 Brannel School is further enhancing its allergy management arrangements. We are therefore asking all members of our school community to play their part in reducing avoidable risks by avoiding bringing nuts and nut-containing products onto the school site, wherever possible. Whilst we cannot guarantee that the school is completely nut-free, we are asking families to support us by not sending nuts or products containing nuts into school. 

 

This includes, but is not limited to: 

• Peanuts Tree nuts, including almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews, pistachios, Brazil nuts and pecans Peanut butter Nut-based snack bars Chocolate products containing nuts Cakes, biscuits or other homemade items containing nuts Any foods which list nuts as an ingredient Coconut and Coconut products, including cosmetics Even small amounts Of nut residue can pose a significant risk to some individuals. By working together, we can greatly reduce the likelihood of accidental exposure and help ensure that all learners feel safe, included and able to participate fully in school life. We also ask that you: 

• Check food packaging carefully for nut ingredients. 

• Discuss allergy awareness with your child and encourage them not to share food with others. 

• Inform the school immediately if your child develops a food allergy or if there are changes to an existing allergy or medical condition. 

• Ensure any prescribed emergency medication supplied to school is in date and replaced promptly when required. 

 

The school maintains procedures to identify and support learners with allergies and staff receive appropriate allergy awareness training to help them recognise and respond to allergic reactions quickly and effectively. 

 

However, prevention remains the most effective way of reducing risk, and the support is therefore essential. We appreciate that avoiding nut products may require Some adjustments to lunchbox choices, and we are very grateful for your understanding and cooperation. Your support helps us Create an environment where every child can learn safely and confidently. 

 

If you have any questions regarding allergies, medical conditions or the school's allergy management arrangements, please contact the school office. 

 

Yours sincerely  

Mr T Muller-Forster  

Headteacher

5th October 2026 

Dear Families 

Year 7 Homework Book – Learning Cycle 1  

 

Our Year 7 learners have a Homework Book in which to complete their weekly tasks to support their in class learning.  This book has all the homework your child will need for Learning Cycle 1, which runs from now until January and can be used to support revision in the Spring Term. Research from the Education Endowment Fund (EEF) shows that homework can support in class progress by up to 5 months, if you would like to read more, please use this link here: Homework | EEF   

 

Our Homework Book includes weekly tasks for:  

• English  

• Maths  

• Science  

• French or Spanish  

• Geography  

• History  

  

Learners will not have homework for their other subjects, and all tasks are paper-based, so learners can complete it without spending any time on a screen.  

 

The homework should take about 20 minutes per subject per week.  

• Our teachers will tell learners in class what to do and when it must be finished.  

• The homework will also appear on Class Charts to help with time management.  

• Our teachers will set the homework on the same day each week to help with time management and homework timetables.   

• When your child finishes their homework, they should mark it as completed on Class Charts.   

 

Homework support for learners is held in The Kim Wherry Library at lunchtime on a Monday and Tuesday every week.   

 

We have chosen to use a printed homework book because it:  

• reduces screen time and distractions  

• supports learning in lessons  

• keeps all homework in one easy place  

• keeps learners' brains active at home  

• helps learners remember to key knowledge from their lessons  

 

We want to celebrate good homework habits, so learners will earn merits for completing their homework and tutors will check homework completion during tutor time. Completing homework also helps learners earn merits for their tutor group in competitions.  

 

The more learners practise, the more they remember. Regular homework helps build confidence, improve learning and supports success in school.  

 

Thank you for your support in helping your child build strong homework habits. If you have any questions, please email your child’s subject teacher or ask their tutor on Thursday 15th October at our Meet The Tutor Event, more details to follow.   

 

Yours sincerely  

Mrs K Elford  

Head of Year 7