News

Study leave and exams are round the corner for our Year 13s so to celebrate their dedication and hard-work our Sixth Form Team wanted to treat them to some delicious ice-cream. Mr Brackstone, Head of Year 13, said 'we are incredibly proud of the Year 13 cohort and are confident in their abilities as they strive for personal excellence during their exams. We hope you enjoyed your treat this afternoon.' 

Mr Hulley was thrilled to announce that the Year 7 football team won the district cup final on Thursday evening this week, taking an incredible lead of 4-1 against Robert Sutton. Well done to our scorers; Sahaan V, Carter T (x2), Clay T.

Mr Hulley said ‘learning from the disappointment of losing the County Cup semi-final, the players excelling in the District Cup final showed what a classy side they are. After getting an early 3 goal head start we saw a second half fight back from Robert Sutton but had enough quality to lead the game and come out as 4-1 winners. I have been lucky enough to select from an incredibly talented pool of players and am so proud of each of every pupil that has made themself available for selection. A big thank you to all players that have worn the roses this year and hopefully more silverware to come next year!’

Mr Markwell, Head of Year said ‘as Head of Year I am delighted to congratulate our amazing squad on their cup final win. We were aware from visiting our local primary schools this time last year that we had some fantastic players joining JTHS; but to be successful you need to play as a team and show perseverance to come back from setbacks. We look forward to celebrating the win in assembly and we hope that many of the team will go on to excel in different sports through the summer term. Thank you to for support that you provide as parents to encourage our team to excel, we really appreciate it.’

Mental Health Awareness Week this year takes place from Monday 12th – Sunday 18th May 2025. The week aims to shine a light on the importance of everyone’s mental health and signpost those who need support.

Our pastoral team work incredibly hard to ensure that pupil’s mental health is a priority and strategies are seamlessly woven into the everyday culture of the school. Their collaborative work within the school community meant that earlier this year, JTHS were awarded with The Wellbeing Award for Schools - read more here.

For any further support and advice, please contact your child's form tutor in the first instance or visit our website:

• Lower School Student Support
• Upper School Student Support
• Sixth Form Student Support 

Staff will also be given cards to hand out throughout the week to other staff members, who have gone above and beyond in supporting their mental health on a day-to-day basis. The initiative, spearheaded by the JTMAT, is to celebrate the power and importance of community.

 To find out more about Mental Health Awareness Week 2025, visit this link:

Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 - Mental Health UK

Burton and District U16 boys school football cup winners

Written by Harry Drayton Year 11, Assistant Manager.

In recognition of the 80th anniversary of VE Day on Thursday 8th May, pupils & staff observed a 2 minute silence.

Pupils were also shown a video of the day of the celebration 80 years ago, plus the announcement by Winston Churchill.

Here is the video: V E Day in London - 1945

Many thanks to all our pupils for showing our core value of 'respect' during this time. 

Following our recent communication about uniform and the hot weather (removal of ties and blazers), we will be reverting back to usual uniform standards from Tuesday 6th May. 

Uniform (Y7-Y11 & Sixth Form) - John Taylor High School

This will be reviewed again should we experience warm weather.

Thank you for your support

Miss Crutchley

Due to many of our nominees busy with study leave, they couldn’t join 'Hot Chocolate with the Head' today. However, Mr Blanchenot was delighted to read about how these pupils had set a positive tone for what promises to be a great term ahead.

Paige D, Anja P and Evelyn P were nominated by Miss Platts for their incredible performance at The Lichfield Schools Speaking Competition where they debated alongside eight other local schools. Miss Platts said ‘The standard of competition was extremely high, with all students delivering polished, persuasive speeches. The pupils spoke confidently in front of a distinguished panel of judges. Our students did exceptionally well and overall provided a thought-provoking and inspiring speech. Well done.’

The next nominations were Patricia P, Sydnie S, Iarla H, Avi O, Viktoria T for their contribution at the recent Community Afternoon Tea. The pupils went above and beyond to ensure the local visitors were well looked after by serving cake, refreshments and being a friendly face for a chat. A special mention goes to Avi and Viktoria for their outstanding piano performances. Both pianists created a wonderful atmosphere and many of the visitors were blown away with their skill and talent.

The final pupils to receive recognition were Ruby D and Olivia B for their dedication and enthusiasm which Mrs Berry was delighted to nominate them for.

Well done to everyone!

• KS3: "I can take on a role in a group and help the team to succeed."
• KS4: "I can take on different roles in a group depending on what the team needs, and help the team to succeed."

• What makes someone a good team player?
• Can you describe a time you worked well with others recently?
• What do you find challenging about teamwork, and how do you handle it?
• If someone in your group isn’t contributing, what would you do?

Thursday afternoon brought excitement and skill to the JTHS Sports Hall as the Young Sporting Ambassadors hosted a memorable Athletics Festival for Year 1 pupils from Thomas Russell Infants School.

The event showcased the leadership abilities from the JTHS Sporting Young Ambassadors as they facilitated the event and took on multiple responsibilities. These included setting up equipment, welcoming pupils, timekeeping and kicking-off the session with an energetic warm-up. The primary school students participated enthusiastically in relay races and other activities, displaying impressive teamwork and support for one another.

Mrs. Berry praised both the primary students' enthusiasm and the exceptional leadership shown by the JTHS pupils. She highlighted how these community events create valuable connections between schools and commended all participants for contributing to the festival's success. Thank you to all those involved!

The last two Year 10 Assemblies have been focused on preparing students to their first set of trial exams, starting on Monday 16^th June and ensuring that our students are familiar with the expectations for Non-Examined Assessment (NEA). The presentations that were used in each assembly have been included to support parents of Year 10 students with understanding the key messages that have been shared, especially those relating to the use of AI in NEAs. We would appreciate it if you could take the time to read through this information.

Further information on exam procedures can be found on the School Website. We strongly advise all candidates are familiar with these. Exams - John Taylor High School

Please see below the Pre-Exam Briefings Timetable from W/C 5th May. 

This can also be found here on the website: Exam Timetables - John Taylor High School

The document includes information about timings, attendance, supervised study & the celebration assembly.

Over the coming months as students begin to leave school, please can we kindly ask parents to consider donating any unwanted uniform to school. Please ask your child to leave them at reception. Thank you in advance for your generosity! #OneCommunity

Whilst many enjoyed warm weather in the UK over the Easter break, a group of Year 9 pupils embarked on an exciting journey to colder climates in Austria for a week of skiing adventure and fun.

Despite the early morning wake-up calls, the excited young skiers showed incredible enthusiasm as they prepared for the day ahead. There were many different skiing abilities within the group but it was fantastic to see every pupil demonstrate perseverance and teamwork whilst out on the slopes. Many were also in awe of the stunning landscape and breath-taking backdrop!

Mr Williams said ‘pupils were a real credit to themselves, their families and the school. We received lots of praise for being respectful in the hotel, local restaurants as well as the maturity shown in the ski groups throughout the days. The travel providers even told us that the coach had been the cleanest they had seen throughout the season whilst travelling to Austria. Students really embraced the accountabilities that were required of them throughout the trip to ensure it ran smoothly with their punctuality and organisational skills. For the coach drivers, hotel and restaurants to invite JTHS back next year is so lovely to hear. Thank you for a great trip.’

The experience wasn't just about skiing, it was also about building lasting friendships and creating unforgettable memories. Pupils had numerous opportunities to bond with peers through various social activities. From enjoying ice cream to competing in friendly pool games, dancing at an evening disco and trying out the pizzeria, there was something for everyone to get involved in.

Well done to everyone and thank you to the dedicated team of teachers who accompanied the pupils. The supportive nature within the group created a great atmosphere between everyone. The trip finished with an award presentation evening which was enjoyed by all!

The 805 & 806 buses are now known as the 12A & 12B services. All parents of children who use a termly pass for this service have been contacted by Staffordshire County Council. Termly passes for the new 12A & 12B are now available on the LA Travel website - www.southstaffscoachhire.com.

For those pupils who used to pay on the old 805 & 806, you will need to purchase a summer term bus pass.

For more information, please contact [email protected]

Staff and residents from Rider House Nursing Home in Burton wanted to give a heartfelt thank you to 7O and Mrs Brooks for their Easter cards. Mrs Brooks said '7O really enjoyed making the cards and spreading a little joy to the residents. I'm really proud of our students' enthusiasm with this project'. 

Thank you to Vicki Weller, Managing Director for sending the photos of the residents with their cards.

Well done to Luca in Year 13, who plays for the England U18 Schoolboys squad, for his spectacular goal against Wales. There was plenty of skill on show and quality football played. The game finished on a 2-2 draw. Well done Luca for your dedication and undeniable talent! 

Here are the match reports: 

Match Report: England v Wales – SAFIB Centenary Shield 2025 – English Schools' Football Association

Match Report: England v Republic of Ireland – SAFIB Centenary Shield 2025 – English Schools' Football Association

Our final ‘Hot Chocolate with the Head’ of the term recognised pupils who excelled in the recent UK Olympiad Linguistics Competition and achieved Silver status.

The group had been selected to take part in the competition for their aptitude in linguistics where they engaged in a series of challenging tasks which tested their language skills. The group of pupils said that they enjoyed the tasks they were presented with which required logic, pattern recognition and translation skills.

Miss Smoker, Teacher of MFL, made the nomination as the group had shown an incredible amount of perseverance. She said ‘Working closely together, the students used their problem-solving skills and learn to identify patterns within languages. Each challenge not only tested their abilities but also strengthened their teamwork, resilience and collaboration. Participating in the Olympiad wasn’t just about winning; it was about growing as learners and developing a passion for languages’.

Well done to Alex B, Amelia S, Bohemia H, Felicity S, Isabella N, Jessica F, Juppnie K, Laura G, Lexi C, Suhavi K and Wilfred A. We hope you enjoyed your delicious hot chocolate and goodies this morning.

The John Taylor High School Sixth Form Show 2025 was a remarkable display of student talent and community spirit. On 10^th April, students and staff took to the stage to showcase their hidden talents. The supportive atmosphere was evident with lots of cheering and applause from fellow students, demonstrating the strong sense of community within the school. A special shout out to our staff performers too!

The event highlighted how John Taylor High School Sixth Form goes beyond academic excellence by providing students with numerous opportunities for personal growth and development. Students can participate in various extracurricular activities that help them reach their full potential by showcasing their talents, interests and overall wellbeing.

Any money raised during the show was donated to charity. Here is the link: https://bravetheshave.macmillan.org.uk/shavers/c7450a5a-9ed7-4783-aa8d-d7b485092cd1

Mr Legood, Assistant Headteacher and Director of Post 16, expressed his pride in the Sixth Form students' performances, stating ‘What a fantastic evening, I am so proud of our talented Sixth Form who impressed everyone with their spectacular acts. Everyone should be incredibly proud of themselves as they have not only perfected their acts, but they have maintained a high level of schoolwork during this busy period’.

Well done to all our acts who are listed below:

Students: Elian A, C Cotterill, Avi O, Shauna S, Angus S, Henry C, Isla J, Korbyn B, Hugo E, George K, Eve N, Faith M, Kharl H

Staff: Mrs Cotterill, Mr Crowther, Mr Kimber, Ms Bale, Miss Spurrier, Mr Brackstone, Mr Rostron