Weekly Information - Friday 6th June 2025

‘Turn up, work hard, be nice’ is the motto that underpins everything that happens at this school.’

Dear Parents and Carers,

We are delighted to share with you our recent Ofsted report for John Taylor High School. The outcome is extremely pleasing and is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and commitment of our staff, pupils, and the wider school community.

We are very proud of this achievement and would like to thank you for your ongoing support in helping us create such a positive learning environment for our pupils.

The inspection was led by an experienced HMI (His Majesty’s Inspector) and included deep dives into English, maths, science, MFL, business and law. The report highlights the many strengths of the school, in all aspects of our provision. It is an honour to lead such a wonderful school full of exceptional pupils and staff.

Of course, we are also very aware of suggested ways to further improve, and strategies linked to these will be incorporated into future whole school improvement plans.

Thank you once again for your continued support. The feedback provided to the inspection team via staff, pupil and parental questionnaires was overwhelmingly positive. We truly value the partnership between home and school, and we look forward to building on this success together.

You can read the full Ofsted report via the PDF link below.

It will also be published on the Ofsted website in due course. https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/

With kind regards,

Mr J Blanchenot

The following students celebrated their achievements with Mr Blanchenot this week, congratulations to them all!

Hot Chocolate with the Head – 06/06/25

This week, our star pupils enjoyed some delicious chocolate goodies with Mr Heath, Deputy Headteacher, for their fantastic contribution in the JTMAT Subject Excellence competitions for Art and Maths.

The Subject Excellence competitions are open to all students across the John Taylor Multi-Academy Trust and provide an opportunity for pupils to complete a task set by subject specialist teachers.

The brief for the Art competition was to create a piece of artwork that conveyed a message linking it to the Trust’s core values. Pupils got the option to choose the media they would like to use, the size, the shape and how they would like to interpret the value. Additionally, Raj Dhunna a professional illustrator was involved in judging the competition. The winners of the competition also got the opportunity to meet Raj at an exclusive finalist’s event and workshop.

Congratulations to Bethan P who was named as the winner.

Well done to the participants; Martha L, Rabia W, Jack S, Aisha S, Amelia N, Lotty M, Sophie M, Daisy H, Ffion F, Joshua D, Dylan C, Emilia B, Alice R, Andrei A.

The brief for the Maths competition was to create a Music Festival taking into consideration planning, timings, budgets and presenting them in a mathematical way. Mr Corbett was very impressed with our pupils and wanted to give extra recognition to them at ‘Hot Chocolate with the Head’.

Congratulations to the winners; William G who was commended for his use of Technology and to Oscar W for being the overall winner in the Secondary School Category.

Well done to the participants; Oliver W, Isaac B, Jack S

Mr Heath was delighted to present the pupils with certificates and pin badges and highlighted the importance of striving for personal excellence.

Dear Parents/Carers and Teachers,

Please be reminded that nominations for the prestigious JTMAT Exceptional Achievement Award are still open but close on Friday 13th June. This award gives all John Taylor Multi Academy Trust (JTMAT) pupils the chance to be recognised for their extraordinary achievements both inside and outside of school. We are extremely proud of our students at John Taylor High School and hope that parents and teachers will nominate a pupil should they meet the criteria.

If the nomination is successful, winners will receive a special gold pin badge presented by Mr Donoghue OBE, CEO JTMAT via an online celebration. This is a wonderful way for students to share their achievements with the school community and gain recognition for their dedication and success.

The deadline to nominate a pupil is at 4pm on Friday 13^th June 2025 and the online celebration will take place on Friday 11^th July 2025 in Mr Blanchenot’s office.

We look forward to receiving the nominations and celebrating those pupils who strive for personal excellence!

For further details and to make a nomination please access the followng letter:

Dear Parent or Carer,

 School Transport –South Derbyshire Coaches Service 11

 This is to inform you of a change to the timetable for the service 11 from Edingale to John Taylor High School from MONDAY 9 JUNE 2025. The new timetable is attached below.

 John Taylor High School - Service 11, Edingale, South Derbyshire Coaches - Staffordshire County Council

Please be advised that -

- You Must retain your child’s current travel pass as it still remains valid until the expiry date printed on the front of the card.

- Your child must carry a valid travel pass at all times whilst using school transport.  Transport may be refused if a valid pass is not presented for travel.

Replacement bus passes - If your child loses their pass, a new pass can be obtained by:

- Going to Replacement school bus passes - Staffordshire County Council   The current cost of a replacement bus pass is £10.00. 

- Your child can obtain a temporary bus pass from the school office for use until the replacement pass arrives.

We recommend that you sign up for the school transport text alerts system. We issue text messages if there are issues with school transport, such as delays or non-operation in poor weather. You can register for this service here School Text Alerts  Please remember to select the school your child attends.

Many thanks

School Transport Team

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 01785 895024

We are delighted to announce details for the John Taylor Summer Concert. See the poster for more information.

Year 12 - Post-18 Information Evening – Tuesday 1^st July 5.30pm-7.35pm 

As students approach an important stage in their education, we are committed to providing comprehensive support to help them make informed decisions about their Post-18 options. 

Join us at John Taylor High School for an exciting event where you can explore your options after turning 18. Whether you're considering university, apprenticeships, or entering the workforce, this evening is the perfect opportunity to gather valuable information and insights. Our knowledgeable speakers will cover a range of topics to help you make informed decisions about your future. Don't miss out on this valuable event!

To further support both students and parents, we are delighted to invite you to our Post-18 Information Evening on Tuesday 1st July. 

This event will provide detailed information about Post 18 opportunities, university and apprenticeship pathways, including: 

• How to choose a University & Course and the Application Process – Jeff Chilton, Aberystwyth University (30 minutes, Main Hall)
• Exploring Apprenticeships – The Ask Programme (30 minutes, Main Hall)
• Rotational 15-Min Sessions (you can choose up to 3 of these sessions) -
• Applying to Oxford or Cambridge
• Writing a competitive Personal Statement
• Unifrog – Exploring & Special Opportunities
• Gap Years & Alternative Pathways
• Making the Most of the rest of Sixth Form
• How to successfully apply for an Apprenticeship
• Early Entry Applications (Medicine, Dentistry & Veterinary)

We strongly encourage all parents and students to attend this evening to gain valuable insights and practical advice on how to best support their next steps. 

This is a ticketed event via https://www.eventbrite.com/e/post-18-information-evening-tickets-1364332769039 When booking please ensure a ticket is booked for every person attending including students.

Between 1st April 2024 and 31st March 2025, our Duke of Edinburgh participants have made an incredible impact through their volunteering, contributing an outstanding 2,353 hours of service.

Their dedication has shone through a variety of volunteering placements including Parkrun events, St. George’s Park, Scouts, and the National Memorial Arboretum. Several students have also been gaining valuable work experience in local charity shops and supporting the organisation of community events. This practical experience not only benefits the community but also helps students develop essential life skills for personal growth and future employment.

This achievement highlights their commitment to community, teamwork and making a difference. Each hour volunteered reflects the spirit of the Award: achievement, integrity, and empowerment.

Well done to all involved for this remarkable contribution!

Miss H Platts

“We learnt valuable coding and presentation skills, we learnt to use Thunderbird and a Raspberry Pi computer. We also learnt about the importance of load shifting to help keep energy costs down.”

“You have touched upon a really interesting topic with real-world benefit—something that people are actively looking at across the world. It is clear that you all took an active part in the project. Well done to you all.”

Mrs Bostock’s group of Year 12 IT students were delighted to be joined by Muhammed Lateef, for an exciting educational workshop about data-modeling using a world- leading online learning platform.

Mr. Lateef, who holds a Salesforce Certified Associate certification and has achieved a Trailhead Ranger status, shared his expertise in data modeling using Salesforce's advanced learning platform, Trailhead. The hands-on workshop focused on essential data modeling concepts that linked with the students' Unit 5 topic. Students engaged in practical exercises using Schema Builder, Custom Fields and differences between standard and custom Objects. More importantly, they gained valuable experience in creating and modifying data within the Salesforce platform.

Mr Lateef said ‘the students were fully engaged throughout the session which was pleasing to observe. I am a firm believer in work related learning and helping the next generation acquire new skills that are relevant for their careers. The interactive nature of the session meant the students could ask questions and advice. This real-world application helped bring their theoretical knowledge to life.’

For more information about our BTEC IT vocational course, you can visit our website here: PowerPoint Presentation

If you wish to report an absence due to illness, please ring the dedicated absence line on 01283 376751 each day of the absence. 

If you wish to inform us of a Planned Absence (less than one day for an appointment), please click the link below and complete the Sixth Form Planned Absence Form.

If you wish to apply for a Leave of Absence (more than one day), please click the link below and complete the Sixth Form Leave of Absence Request Form.

Please upload evidence of ALL appointments.

Sixth Form Attendance - John Taylor High School

Thank you!

The Sixth Form Team

The below menu will be served in the Canteen on Wednesday 18th June

With around 70% of teens reporting they've seen violent real-life content on social media in the past year, this guide shines a light on a disturbing – and increasingly common – aspect of young people’s digital lives. From shocking videos to hate speech, many children don’t go looking for this material, it finds them via algorithms or peer sharing. 

The guide outlines key concerns, including the mental toll of repeated exposure, shifts in behaviour, and the worrying normalisation of harmful ideologies. It also explains how such content can escalate from screen to street, and why some young people may feel pressured to share or even create violent media themselves.

Are you a former pupil of John Taylor High School? If so, we'd love to hear from you!

As a school we pride ourselves upon our 'One Community' vision and ensure that our pupils have the best possible learning experience during their time with us so they can choose a pathway where personal excellence is achieved Post-16 and Post-18.  

We are extremely proud of the achievements of our past students and many underestimate the impact that they can have when they return to speak with our current students to share their experiences with them. Many former pupils have progressed to prestigious universities, completed incredible apprenticeships and pursued diverse professions which not only do we love hearing about, but our current pupils love hearing about too! It gives them the inspiration to think, 'if they can do it, so can I'. 

Over the years we have welcomed back former students to give talks to KS4 & KS5. We've been delighted to hear from journalists, doctors, teachers, pharmacists, law students, finance directors, communications specialists and many more, who shared their pathway with our current pupils in assemblies, workshops and at careers days. 

Our ongoing outreach with Alumni is very important to us as part of our Careers provision at John Taylor High School. If you think you would like to part of inspiring the next generation and re-engaging with the school please contact us. We have a number of opportunities for you to become involved in.

Please email [email protected] or connect with @careersjths on X if you would like to support a school event or deliver an assembly or workshop to our students. Alternatively, if you would simply like to send us a written summary of your career pathway, we would love to hear from you too.

Take a look at our current Alumni stories: Alumni - John Taylor High School

Introducing Know Your Place – A Youth-Led Movement in Staffordshire 

The Young People's Steering Group

Are you aged 13–19 (or 25 with additional needs) and passionate about making a difference in your community?

Do you have ideas about what needs to change in Staffordshire — and want to be part of the team leading that change?

Then the Know Your Place Young People’s Steering Group (YPSG) is for YOU.

Since December, we’ve been busy working behind the scenes with our fantastic partners at University of Staffordshire and Staffordshire County Council, preparing something truly special for young people across our county. 

Now, we’re incredibly proud to officially launch Know Your Place — a bold, five-year youth-led research programme focused on giving young people the platform, tools, and power to create meaningful change in their communities. 

Know Your Place is funded by UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) and supported by The Young Foundation — alongside 8 other networks across the UK. 

Only 9 projects in the country were selected and Know Your Place is the only youth focused project. That makes Staffordshire’s project key to show how young people are not only part of the conversation, but leading it. 

Know Your Place puts young people in charge of community research — giving them the opportunity to explore the issues that matter most, and influence the decisions that shape their lives.

It’s all about: 

• Building a Young People’s Community Research Network
• Exploring real-world issues in Staffordshire from your perspective
• Using creative, participatory research methods – from photography to poetry, digital media, art, and even sport
• Turning research into action, advocacy, and long-term change
• Making sure young voices are heard by those in power 

The event is taking place at Staffordshire County Showground on Weston Road, Stafford, ST18 0BD from 11am until 4pm on Saturday 14 June, and entry and parking is free for everyone. 

We’ve got lots in store for everyone in the family to enjoy, including the chance to meet some of our brave police dogs and handlers keeping people safe every day. 

For people who want to get an idea of what it’s like to be at the front of the wheel of a police carrier, there’s an opportunity to sit in a police car and on a police motorbike, along with a number of demonstrations on the type of things our officers tackle on a daily basis, including working at heights and policing public order. 

For more information check out our website

Open Day | Staffordshire Police