School Updates and Letters
Upcoming events
Dear Parent/Carer,
Please see the link to the latest Braes HS newsletter.
Braes High School- End of Term 3
Kind regards,
Braes High School
Dear Parent/Carer,
As we enter the final week of term, I would thank all Braes families for your ongoing support this academic year. We wish our senior phase pupils well as they head towards their final examinations and assessment, and look forward to working with our S1-3 pupils as they begin the next chapter of their learning experience at Braes.
Please see an update on a number of matters below :
Easter/May Holidays
The last day of this term is Thursday 2nd April. School finishes at the normal time of 3.40pm on Thursday. Thursday is a normal working day, and pupils in S1-5 should wear school uniform as usual. The new term begins on Monday 20th April.
On Friday 1st May, the school will be closed to pupils for the in-service day, and closed on Monday 4th May for the May holiday.
Falkirk Council – Education Accessibility Strategy
Please see below a letter from Falkirk Council Additional Support for Learning team :
Dear parents, carers, young people and professionals,
Falkirk Council Education Services is currently developing the Education Accessibility Strategy and Action Plan for 2026–2029. This strategy outlines how we will continue to improve accessibility across our schools, early learning centres and nurseries—ensuring every child and young person can participate fully in learning, feel included, and have their needs recognised and met.
As part of this process, we are inviting parents, carers, young people (12+) and professionals to share their or their child’s views by completing a short survey. Your feedback is essential in helping us understand what is working well, where barriers still exist, and how we can improve our curriculum, physical environments, and communication approaches across all educational settings.
We encourage you to take part. Your insights will directly inform the final version of the Accessibility Strategy and help shape the supports and services we deliver over the next three years.
Survey link: https://bit.ly/3PpIjwo
Closing date: 17/04/2026
The survey can be completed via the Participate Plus platform, which allows registered users from age 12.
If you require the survey in an alternative format or need support to take part, please let us know via the email address or telephone number above and we will be happy to help.
Thank you in advance for your time and for your ongoing support in improving accessibility for all Falkirk children and young people.
Yours sincerely
David Wells
Quality Improvement Officer – Additional Support Needs
AI information sessions for parents/carers
Education Scotland have partnered with The University of Edinburgh to provide a three-part webinar series on AI – What parents need to know. Participants can choose whether to attend all three or individual sessions. Details and links to join:
Tuesday 21st April (12.30 – 1.30pm)
What every parent should know about AI – to register, click here.
Wednesday 13th May (4 – 5pm)
Ethics and Children’s Rights – to register, click on the link below :
The Ethics and children’s rights Tickets, Wednesday, May 13 from 4 pm to 5 pm GMT+1 | Eventbrite
Thursday 4th June (4 – 5pm)
AI and Children’s Learning – to register, click on the link below :
I hope all our young people enjoy their forthcoming break from school when it comes.
Yours faithfully,
Iain Livingstone
Parents Portal
Thanks to all the parents/carers who recently signed up for Parentcall. We currently have an uptake of 48% and would encourage all parents to sign up by going to www.parentsportal.scot
You will have access to :
• Reporting your young person’s absences
• Viewing attendance without contacting the school
• Viewing your young person’s timetable
• Accessing other systems such as Progress, iPay, Parents Evening
On this system, attendance is recorded by half-days. There is a recording of morning attendance (periods 1-4) and afternoon attendance (periods 5/6 or 5-7). When looking at your young person’s attendance on this system, you may see your young person has the word “Missing” on their attendance record. This simply refers to an instance where any period has been marked as ”absent” after the young person has been marked “present” earlier in an opening.
For example :
If a pupil was present in period 5 and then marked as having a self-certificated absence for period 6 , this will result in the afternoon opening showing as Missing.
Should you have any queries regarding your young persons absence please do not hesitate to contact the school for further information.
Kind regards,
Braes High School
Dear Parent/Carer,
As we approach the end of this term we can see how busy our young people have been in so many respects – with their learning in classes of course, but also in their involvement in the wider life of the school and in contributing to their local community. We would thank you for your ongoing support of your young person(s) and the school. Please see an update on a number of matters below :
Kinds regards,
Iain Livingstone
Lost Property
Mrs Stewart keeps lost property in the medical area. At present we have a number of jackets in particular that have been left behind. Young people can contact Mrs Stewart to see if their missing item has been found.
Forthcoming term dates
The last day of this term is Thursday 2nd April. This will be a normal working day with pupils in S1-5 expected to wear full school uniform as usual. Pupils in S6 will be participating in their S6 Leavers’ Event. School closes at 3.40pm on this day.
The next term begins on Monday 20th April.
Please note that in the new term the school will be closed on Friday 1st May for an in-service day and on Monday 4th May for the May holiday. School would reopen again on the morning of Tuesday 5th May.
Accessibility Survey
Please see below a note from Falkirk Council’s Additional Support team :
Dear parents, carers, young people and professionals,
Falkirk Council Education Services is currently developing the Education Accessibility Strategy and Action Plan for 2026–2029. This strategy outlines how we will continue to improve accessibility across our schools, early learning centres and nurseries—ensuring every child and young person can participate fully in learning, feel included, and have their needs recognised and met.
As part of this process, we are inviting parents, carers, young people (12+) and professionals to share their or their child’s views by completing a short survey. Your feedback is essential in helping us understand what is working well, where barriers still exist, and how we can improve our curriculum, physical environments, and communication approaches across all educational settings.
We encourage you to take part. Your insights will directly inform the final version of the Accessibility Strategy and help shape the supports and services we deliver over the next three years.
Survey link: https://bit.ly/3PpIjwo
Closing date: 17/04/2026
The survey can be completed via the Participate Plus platform, which allows registered users from age 12. If you require the survey in an alternative format or need support to take part, please let us know via the email address or telephone number above and we will be happy to help.
Thank you in advance for your time and for your ongoing support in improving accessibility for all Falkirk children and young people.
Enquiries to: Inclusion & ASN Service
Email: additionalsupport@falkirk.gov.uk
Telephone: 01324 506600
Friends at Braes
The next meeting of Friends at Braes takes on Tuesday 28th April. Should anyone like to come along to this meeting please come to the school reception at 6.30pm or contact Chairperson Susan MacKinnon at friendsatbraeshigh@gmail.com.
Yours faithfully,
Iain Livingstone
Dear Parent/Carer,
Please see below the link to the latest Braes HS newsletter.
Braes High School- 13 March 2026
Kind regards,
Braes High School
Dear Parent/Carer,
Please see a note from Falkirk Council, advising that there will be no changes to the current bus services for next session.
Thank you for providing comments on the recent budget proposal concerning the possible removal of the four discretionary school bus routes listed below. This proposal was considered by Falkirk Council at its meeting yesterday. The Council resolved not to proceed with the proposal. Consequently, these routes, along with the current level of service provision, will continue unchanged. We appreciate your engagement in the consultation process and thank you for taking the time to share your views. The routes concerned are:
• Service 142: Shieldhill to Braes High School
• Service 641: Maddiston to Braes High School
• Service 149: Slamannan Road to Falkirk High School
• Service 628: Hallglen to Graeme High School
Kind regards,
Braes High School
Dear Parent/Carer,
Please see below the link to the latest Braes HS newsletter :
Braes HS Newsletter February 2026
Kind regards,
Braes High School
Dear Parent/Carer,
Thank you for your ongoing support of your young person(s) and the school. Please see an update on a number of matters below :
Friends at Braes
The next meeting of Friends at Braes takes place on Tuesday 3rd March at 6.30pm in the school conference room. There is also the option of joining online. Please contact Chairperson Susan MacKinnon for more information at friendsatbraeshigh@gmail.com.
You can also see updates about how FAB supports our young people at their Bluesky feed braeshighfab.bsky.social.
Parent Council
The next meeting of our Parent Council takes place on Tuesday 10th March at 7pm in the school library. Young people from Braes will be in attendance to speak about their work as part of Rights Respecting Schools and there will also be an update on the destinations our pupils move into on leaving school. Please contact Chairperson Kenneth MacKinnon at braeshigh.parentcouncil@gmail.com for further information.
New timetable
The timetable this session will change on Monday 25th May for pupils in the new S2-5 year groups. For new S6 pupils, they should return to lessons during the week beginning 25th May if their exams are complete, with the expectation of a full return by all S6 pupils on Monday 1st June. Further information regarding study leave arrangements will be issued in due course.
New cricket nets
Cricket nets have been installed into the games hall. These have been fully funded by Redding and Westquarter Cricket Club, for whom many of young people train and play. We are grateful to the club for this investment – this will enable our pupils to participate to a higher level, with some already reaching international status.
Yours faithfully,
Iain Livingstone
Dear Parent/Carer,
As you may be aware, Falkirk Council Education Services have contacted parents/carers of Maddiston Primary School to advise of the arrangements for Maddiston pupils next session. For Braes High School, this means P7 pupils from Maddiston will be based in Braes High School. Maddiston pupils will be based in a number of modular units. These will be connected to utilities and designed to provide comfortable, well-equipped learning environments (including toilets and break-out spaces). We very much look forward to welcoming the young people and colleagues from Maddiston to Braes next session, and will make sure our young people are well informed about these arrangements.
As a reminder, the school will be closed on Friday 13th February and Monday 16th February for the local holiday and also closed to pupils on Tuesday 17th February for the in-service day. Pupils will return to school on Wednesday 18th February.
Yours faithfully,
Iain Livingstone
Dear Parent/Carer,
I hope all Braes families are doing well just now. It has been good to see our pupils continue to focus well in lessons and contribute to the wider life of the school. Please see an update on a number of matters below:
February break
The school will be closed for holidays on Friday 13th February and Monday 16th February. The school will also be closed to pupils on Tuesday 17th February, with staff involved in in-service training.
Newsletter
Please see the link to the latest edition of the Braes HS newsletter below:
Friends at Braes
A very engaging presentation from our Dance team at the Friends at Braes meeting last week saw successful bids for funding to support the squad from FAB. We are grateful to our parent-led fundraising group. If you would like to find out more and be involved to whatever extent you would like, please contact Chairperson Susan MacKinnon at friendsatbraeshigh@gmail.com. The next meeting of FAB is at 6.30pm in the conference room on Tuesday 3rd March.
Parent Council
Last week’s Parent Council saw really interesting and enthusiastic presentations from the Pupil Voice Group, Pupil Self-Evaluation Leaders and our Pupil Sports Leaders, outlining their important and influential work in the school, and on behalf of their fellow young people. The next meeting takes place on Tuesday 10th March at 7pm in the school library, and further information can be gained from Chairperson Kenneth MacKinnon at braeshigh.parentcouncil@gmail.com.
Bluesky – school social media
Falkirk schools use BlueSky as the social media platform to celebrate our young people’s achievements and successes. The Braes High School BlueSky handle is:
@braeshighschool.bsky.social
Please give us a follow – we are up to 672 followers and it would be great to get that over 1000 by the end of the school year. Thank you for your support with this.
Thank you for your ongoing support of your young person and the school.
Yours faithfully,
Iain Livingstone
Dear Parent/Carer,
I hope all Braes families are doing well just now. Please see an update on a number of matters below :
Friends at Braes
The next meeting of Friends at Braes, our parent-led fundraising organisation, takes place at 6.30pm on Tuesday 27th January in the conference room. There is also the option to join online. If you would like further information please contact Chairperson Susan MacKinnon at friendsatbraeshigh@gmail.com.
At this meeting there will be bids for funding from our young people to support a variety of activities and clubs in their school.
Parent Council
The next meeting of the Parent Council takes place on Thursday 29th January at 7.00pm in the school library. If you would like to find out more please contact Chairperson Kenneth MacKinnon at braeshigh.parentcouncil@gmail.com.
Lost Property
As is usual in a school, there are a number of items left in lost property. However we have noted a significant number of jewellery items have been lost by our young people this session. If your young person has lost a jewellery item these can be claimed by describing the item to a member of our office team. Similarly, a number of ear pods have also been left in school and an be claimed in a similar manner.
Yours faithfully,
Iain Livingstone
Dear Parent/Carer,
Please see below the link to the latest Braes HS Newsletter.
Iain Livingstone
Dear Parent/Carer,
Happy New Year to all Braes families – we hope our young people have had a pleasant break and are ready for a busy and productive school year ahead. Our senior phase learners will shortly be engaging in further SQA examinations and assessments and we wish them well in those. Similarly, our younger pupils will be thinking about the next stages in their learning and for some, making subject choices. We look forward to supporting pupils in these endeavours in the year ahead.
Please see an update on a number of issues below :
Uniform
We have been pleased to see the high standard of uniform continuing through the winter, and in particular the wearing of school blazers. Our school uniform consists of school shirt, school tie, black school jumper/cardigan (if preferred), school trousers/skirt/leggings/shorts and the school blazer. If young people choose to wear leggings or shorts, theses should be plain black and not sportswear.
Friends at Braes runs a well-appreciated uniform recycling service, which can be accessed at the school reception or by contacting FAB at friendsatbraeshigh@gmail.com.
Friends at Braes
The next meeting of Friends at Braes, our parent-led fundraising group, takes place on Tuesday 27th January 2026, at 6.30pm in the conference room. It is also possible to attend online if that is more appropriate. Should you wish any additional information please contact Chairperson Susan MacKinnon at friendsatbraeshigh@gmail.com.
Parent Council
The next meeting of the Parent Council takes place on Thursday 29th January 2026 at 7pm in the school library. Among the agenda items will be an update from our Pupil Voice Group and an update from our pupil Sports Leaders. If you would like further information please contact Chairperson Kenneth MacKinnon at braeshigh.parentcouncil@gmail.com.
Many thanks for your ongoing support of your young person(s) and the school.
Yours faithfully,
Iain Livingstone
Dear Parent/Carer,
Please see below the latest edition of the Braes HS newsletter :
Braes HS Newsletter December 2025
Kind regards,
Braes High School
Dear Parent/Carer,
Please see below the link to the latest Braes HS newsletter :
Kind regards,
Braes High School
Dear Parent/Carer,
A reminder that the presentation from our Career and Course Choice Event, held on 12 November 2025, is available on the Braes High School website. To access it, please visit the school website and select Curriculum → Course Choice.
All S2 pupils and their families have been invited to attend a one-to-one meeting in school with Grace Goodsir, our Careers Adviser from Skills Development Scotland. These conversations will be followed up with further support from your child’s Pastoral Head.
Please note that S2 pupils will make their final course selection between 23rd February 2026 and 6th March 2026. To support the discussions taking place at home just now, please see below an overview of the courses likely to be available for S3 in session 2026–2027. Please note that final course availability may vary depending on pupil interest/uptake in the courses and also staffing allocations.
Proposed S3 Course Options for Session 2026–2027:
• Administration – National Qualification
• Art & Design – National Qualification
• Biology – National Qualification
• Business Management – National Qualification
• Chemistry – National Qualification
• Childcare – Skills for Work
• Computing Science – National Qualification
• Criminology – National Progression Award
• Drama: Performance – National Qualification
• Drama: Design – National Qualification
• Energy – Skills for Work
• Engineering Science – National Qualification
• French – National Qualification
• Geography – National Qualification
• German – National Qualification
• Graphic Communication – National Qualification
• Health and Food Technology – National Qualification
• Health Sector – Skills for Work
• History – National Qualification
• Lab Science – Skills for Work
• Modern Studies – National Qualification
• Music – National Qualification
• Physical Education: Games & Mixed – National Qualification
• Physical Education: Creative & Aesthetic – National Qualification
• Physics – National Qualification
• Practical Cookery – National Qualification
• Practical Woodworking – National Qualification
• RMPS – National Qualification
• Spanish – National Qualification
• Travel & Tourism – Skills for Work
Further information on the SCQF framework is also available on the school website under Curriculum → National Qualification → Interactive Framework.
If you have any questions about the course choice process, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Heather Cameron (heather.cameron@education.falkirk.sch.uk).
Kind regards,
Mrs Heather Cameron
Dear Parent/Carer,
It has been encouraging to see the approach of our young people as they head into their SQA prelim exams. There are many different exam supports on offer for our young people and I would encourage them to take advantage of those.
There are a number of festive events coming up in school as we head towards Christmas. Following the Art Exhibition and Christmas Concert this week, these include the Christmas Cup for S1-3 pupils during the pupil day on Wednesday 17th December, a festive House competition. The S4-6 Ceilidh takes place on the evening of Wednesday 17th December, while the Staff Panto takes place on the morning on Thursday 18th December. On this day, pupils will be able `Christmas up’ their school uniform, with a Christmas jumper, tinsel etc.
Friday 19th December is the last day of term, with school closing at 12.30pm. This will be a non-uniform day with the usual rules of no football colours, clothing with offensive slogans or clothing inappropriate for school.
Yours faithfully,
Iain Livingstone
Dear Parent/Carer,
I hope all Braes families are doing well just now. It is good to see our young people continuing to be focused on their learning and involved in the wider life of the school. Please see an update on a number of matters below :
Friends at Braes
Our parent-led fundraising group, Friends at Braes, continues to support our school community in many ways, providing additional funding for pupil activities and running a well-appreciated uniform recycling scheme. At last week’s meeting the group heard a great presentation from the “Lego League” club, with young people talking about their work this session and receiving funding to support their club. It is always good to have new people involved in FAB, and if you would like to find out more please contact Chairperson, Susan MacKinnon at friendsatbraeshigh@gmail.com.
Parent Council
The next meeting of the Parent Council takes place on Wednesday 26th November at 7pm. At this meeting, which takes place in the school library, there will be a chance to engage with our pupil STEM Leaders, and to hear about our young people’s work in further ensuring Braes is a welcoming community for all.
Hub Cards
Our colleagues working in the school canteen are keen that pupils use their Hub Cards when paying for their refreshments at break times and lunch time. Although pupils can quote their individual card numbers to make payment rather than swiping their lunch card, this takes longer. The new lunch cards were introduced to make payment much quicker by swiping on the payment machines, thus reducing queuing time for all young people. When pupils do not have their lunch card the payment takes a bit longer, increasing the time all pupils have to wait. We have advised our young people of this and appreciate parents/carers supporting their young people in bringing their Hub Card to school. If your young person does not have their Hub Card please contact the school office.
In-Service Day – Friday 28th November
On Friday 28th staff are involved in in-service training. The school will be closed to pupils on that date.
Yours faithfully,
Iain Livingstone
Course Choice Trawl – Information for S4 and S5 Pupils
Dear Parent/Carer,
This morning (31 October 2025), all S4 and S5 pupils attended an assembly to introduce the Course Choice Trawl process.
The course choice trawl provides an early indication of the subjects pupils are likely to choose during the final course choice process in February 2026. The information gathered helps us plan which courses are likely to be offered, supports our quality assurance processes through the review of current tracking data, and enables us to identify any potential gaps in pathway provision. Please note that this is not the final course choice process, that will take place in February 2026.
A link to the Course Choice Trawl form, along with a copy of the assembly slides, is available on your child’s Year Group Teams page. All S4 and S5 pupils are asked to complete the online Google Form by Friday 14 November 2025.
Thank you for your continued support.
Mrs Cameron
Dear Parent/Carer,
It has been lovely to see our young people back in school this week. I hope that our pupils enjoyed their break and are ready for another positive and productive term ahead. Please see an update on a number of matters below:
Assemblies
Our assemblies this week are focusing on how we support our young people to challenge discrimination in various forms. It has been good to see the very mature and sensible responses from our young people on this subject.
Friday 31st October
This Friday sees the annual Braes Charity Fancy Dress Day. Young people are invited to dress up for the day. We would ask that pupils be mindful that this is still a school day, and that they refrain from including `scary’ masks in their outfits. At lunchtime there will be events led by our School Captains for their fellow pupils. Pupils should still expect to be working in lessons, and should still bring any necessary equipment to school, such as iPads, PE kit, Home Economics containers etc. If any young person does not wish to dress up, they can wear non-uniform that day. The usual rules of no football colours, or inappropriate clothing apply.
As ever, our School Captains are leading charitable fundraising this session. This session they are creating a charity `pot’ across the session. They will engage with their fellow pupils to determine where the monies will be distributed at the end of the session. Should anyone wish to donate to their fundraising efforts on this day, this can be done via ipay, or pupils can bring in a small cash donation on Friday. Alternatively, we would ask that if pupils wish to do so, they can bring in an item of longer-lasting food, or toiletries as a donation to the Braes Pantry. These will then be redistributed to Braes families in need.
Calendar date changes
Due to the earlier start of SQA examinations, the Senior Awards Ceremony has now moved to the evening of Monday 20th April, while the last day for S6 pupils will take place on the morning of Tuesday 21st April.
Many thanks for your ongoing support of your young person(s) and the school.
Yours faithfully,
Iain Livingstone
Dear Parent/Carer,
On Thursday 25th September, all Braes pupils will receive a new lunch card. They will be able to use this to pay for any food and drink they purchase from the Hub (school canteen) from Friday 26th September. Pupils will be able to swipe their lunch cards when paying for items, helping to quicken queuing time. There is no other change for pupils or parents/carers as a result of this. Money stored into your young person’s account is unaffected. If you have any queries please contact the school.
Kind regards,
Braes High School