Weekly Information - Friday 21st March 2025
- Hot Chocolate with the Head
- Hot Chocolate with the Head 21/03/25
- Red Nose Day 2025
- English Schools National Cross-Country Championships 2025
- Year 12 Mock Interviews
- Lichfield School's Speaking Competition Success
- My School Fund Initiative
- School Canteen Price Increase
- Chocolate Hamper Donations
- ParentPay Balance
- JTMAT Exceptional Achievement Award
- Tickets selling fast! Book yours now!
- Change to replacement bus passes (Derbyshire)
- Careers - KPMG Virtual Experience Day – Easter Break
- Careers - STEM Easter Work Experience with Spectris
The following students celebrated their achievements with Mr Blanchenot this week, congratulations to them all!
| Poppy | 9R | |
| Rebekah | 8J | |
| Rosie | 9T | |
| William | 7R | |
| Aurelie | 8J | |
| Minnie | 8H | |
| Lucy | 8Y | |
| Harry | 7J | |
| Alfie | 7O | |
| Adiel | 90 | |
| Dakota | 8L |
Today, Mr Blanchenot recognised our stars of the week with an extra special celebration. Not only did our pupils enjoy a hot chocolate but William, Aurelie, Lucy, Rebekah, Minnie and Harry were presented with a certificate for their phenomenal effort in the JTMAT Subject Excellence Award for English. A huge congratulations goes to Dakota who got a special recognition for being named as the overall winner and presented with a prestigious JTMAT pin badge to wear with pride!
Poppy, Rosie, Alfie and Adiel were also nominated and will receive their certificates.
The Subject Excellence project is open to all pupils across the entire JTMAT so it was fantastic to see our pupils get involved and produce outstanding pieces of work. The brief was for pupils to develop their content creation skills in broadcasting and journalism. Students could present their findings with written articles, film reports or podcasts/radio reports.
Not only did this project help develop our pupil’s media literacy skills, but also fostered teamwork, time management, effective communication and critical thinking. Whether pupils decided to write a web article or get creative with recording a podcast, it gave the pupils a real glimpse into media production.
An exciting part of the project for our pupils was to pick the theme or topic for discussion. This could include, a school trip report, interviews with peers, sports reports, science experiment write-ups, fictional events from texts studied or even accounts from historical or geographical events. Dakota’s winning radio broadcast was all about the recent Harry Potter night that takes place annually in the LRC.
Mr Blanchenot was proud of all the pupils who spoke so enthusiastically about the project. He took the opportunity to emphasise how participating in extra projects demonstrates their commitment to personal growth and excellence. Mr Blanchenot's encouraging words motivated the students to understand that going above and beyond their regular schoolwork is a valuable step toward achieving their full potential and preparing for future success.
Well done to everyone! We loved seeing you in your Comic Relief attire too!
Today we celebrated Comic Relief's 40th anniversary with a special throwback to its founding year, 1985. Our amazing House Leaders and Mrs. Bonnett organised fun activities that brought our whole school community together for this important cause.
An event that was extremely popular amongst our pupils was the lunchtime screening of the classic 1985 movie "Back to the Future." Students got to experience this iconic film in a special cinema-style setting. To show their support, Sixth Form students participated in a non-uniform day, while pupils in Year 7-11 added a splash of red to their uniforms with socks, headbands, scarfs and other accessories.
The House Leaders continued their tradition of organising a successful cake sale for everyone to enjoy at lunchtime. Pupils and staff lined up to purchase delicious treats and by the end of the sale, nearly everything was sold out! This impressive turnout showed just how much our school community cares about supporting Comic Relief. The combination of movie screenings, special dress codes and tasty treats not only made the fundraising fun but also helped raise awareness about Comic Relief's important work in helping others.
The final total is being counted and will be announced soon. Thank you to everyone for their enthusiasm and participation!
Oskar last year finished 241st to 59th (2025) in the Junior Boys category and Kamil finished 277 in a very strong Senior Boys field.
The standout performance from the weekend came from the Junior Boys. I think myself and the other team managers were more excited than the athletes when we heard that the Staffordshire team were called to presentation. Last year the Junior Boys’ team finished 43rd out of 43 county teams, with the top 6 athletes scoring a total of 1,564 points from their finishing positions. This year the top 6 combined for a total of 284 points!! The effort from the whole team meant they were able to win the Junior Boys trophy for the first time since 1983. Oskar’s performance was a huge contributing factor to this victory.
Our Year 12 pupils took a step towards their professional futures this week by participating in mock interviews with ex-business professionals from the local community. These practice interviews provided pupils with a realistic glimpse into what they can expect when applying for jobs, apprenticeship or university. The interviews were designed to be challenging but in a comfortable environment, allowing students to gain confidence while receiving constructive feedback on their performance.
Before the interviews, students had to complete a CV and write a cover letter. These documents helped them showcase their skills, experiences and career interests to the interviewers. Preparing these documents taught students the importance of presenting themselves professionally on paper, a skill that will be valuable throughout their careers. The interviewers, who came from various industries, used typical job interview questions to help pupils practice their responses and develop their communication skills.
Here’s what some of our pupils said about the mock interview process;
‘Really helpful. It gave me more ideas on how to reach my goals in the future, the interviewer made me feel empowered that I can reach them and gave me confidence that I could get there.’ Lois H
‘It was constructive, it gave me ideas and tips for the future interviews. One thing I thought was good was being told, don’t answer what you think they want to hear but what you actually think is truthful.’ Harry M
‘They gave me tips on what was good and bad and how to improve. It was a useful experience to have had.’ Elliott C
The workshops were organised by Miss Spurrier, Sixth Form Administrator & Work Related Learning Coordinator, who said ‘it was great to receive positive feedback from the interviewers and hear how impressed they were with our pupils. After each interview, students received specific suggestions about how to improve their interview techniques and enhance their CV. This feedback helps students identify their strengths and areas for growth, making them better prepared for future job opportunities. I hope this experience showed our Sixth Formers that interviewing is a skill that can be developed and improved with practice and constructive criticism.’
To find out more about Sixth Form at John Taylor visit: Welcome to Sixth Form - John Taylor High School (jths.co.uk)
On Friday 14th March, Year 12 students Anja P, Evelyn P and Paige D proudly represented John Taylor High School at the annual Lichfield School’s Speaking competition, debating alongside eight other schools.
Our students put forward the argument that the UK voting age should be lowered to 16. The girls impressed the audience and judges with a mature, well-researched argument developed by our talented writing team: Ellie W, Shauna S, Mykyla A, Hannah M, Maymunah S, Isla J, Laiba K, Abdullah K, Kyla E and Angus S.
The standard of competition was extremely high, with all students delivering polished, persuasive speeches. The girls spoke confidently in front of a distinguished panel of judges, including Councillor Sam Schafer, Sir Micheal Fabricant, Simon Price, Kathy Coe MBE and Andrew Sims of the Rotary Club and the debate chair Dave Robertson MP.
Our students performed exceptionally well and overall provided a thought-provoking and inspiring speech. Well done!
Parents/Carers, please be reminded that John Taylor High School is part the My School Fund initiative. This innovative scheme allows for us to be able to boost our school’s budget with your help.
How does it work?
Parents, guardians and carers can sign up to the scheme for free and start earning cashback on the things they buy in participating retail stores, including Sainsbury’s and Argos. As you spend you’ll receive 2% cashback in the form of eGift vouchers that can be redeemed in participating stores. By linking your spend to our school on the My School Fund website we’ll also earn 1% cashback on your spend.
How to get involved
Visit myschoolfund.org to register for free and link to John Taylor High School. From there, everything you spend in participating stores will go towards helping boost our budget, plus your own!
Sign up today at myschoolfund.org. Read more in the leaflet below.
Message from the school catering service, Edwards & Ward.
From the 1st April 2025 the main meal cost will rise from £2.95 to £3.20. If your child is eligible for free school meals, the allowance has also increased to the same value (£3.20). A full tariff of meal pricing is available on the school website.
Please can we ask that parents/carers have topped up their child's ParentPay account at least a day before, so the funds have time to show on their accounts for when they are purchasing items from the canteen.
Thank you.
Dear Parents/Carers and Teachers,
It is with great pleasure to announce that the nominations for the prestigious JTMAT Exceptional Achievement Award is now open. This award gives all John Taylor Multi Academy Trust (JT MAT) 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 13th June 2025 and the online celebration will take place on Friday 11th July 2025 in Mr Blanchenot’s office.
We look forward to receiving the nominations and celebrating those pupils who strive for personal excellence!
Click here to make a nomination: Exceptional Achievement Nomination Letter
As the date of the school production approaches, excitement is beginning to fill the air amongst pupils. Rehearsals have officially begun, and everyone is eager to showcase their talents.
The Creative Arts department were stunned at the pupils during their audition’s. Roles include singing, playing an instrument, dancing or acting. During the rehearsals the energy was high and there was a real sense of collaborative spirit. Guided by our talented teachers, the pupils are given feedback to perfect their performances, develop ways to overcome challenges, and build their confidence in performing.
The show is not just a chance to perform; it’s an opportunity for our pupils to celebrate their dedication, talent and creativity. With each rehearsal, the anticipation builds, and the students look forward to making unforgettable memories on stage!
Well done to you all, we are so excited for the show. See details below!
Parents/Carers,
Please see information below regarding replacement bus passes for Derbyshire pupils.
Pupils who lose their bus pass will need to apply and pay for their replacement passes directly via the Derbyshire County Council website rather than through school. Please see the attachment on how this can be done.
If you have any further questions with regards to this please do not hesitate to contact a member of the team on 01629 536740.
Are you a Year 11, 12, 13 student interested in gaining work experience with one of the world’s leading professional services firms?
Join the KPMG Virtual Work Experience Day during the Easter Break to explore career opportunities in business, finance, accounting, and professional services while developing key employability skills.
Event Details
Date: Monday, 14th April
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Virtual (join from anywhere)
Who Can Attend? Year 11, 12 and 13 students
What to Expect?
- Learn about KPMG’s early career pathways
- Take part in interactive sessions and real-world business case studies
- Gain insights into careers in professional services
- Hear from current apprentices and senior professionals about their experiences at KPMG
Why Attend?
This one-day virtual experience is designed to give students valuable exposure to the world of professional services, helping them build confidence, develop key skills, and gain an understanding of career opportunities at KPMG.
Whether you are considering an apprenticeship, exploring work experience or simply want to learn more about the industry, this event will provide first-hand insights and career advice to help you take the next step.
Register now to secure your place!
Register Here:
Easter STEM Work Experience with Spectris PLC Wednesday, 16th of April from 9am - 3pm
Are you interested in pursuing a career in engineering, science, or anything to do with STEM? Would you like to gain some rare and invaluable work experience with multiple global FTSE companies? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you!
We are excited to announce that on Wednesday, 16th of April from 9am - 3pm, we will be hosting a virtual work experience day with Spectris, Malvern Panalytical, HBK and Servomex! Spectris are a FTSE company and own all the other science and engineering-based companies mentioned above. Collectively they operate in over 30 countries, employ over 7,500 people globally, and have generated a revenue of over a billion pounds as of 2024! Each of the companies Spectris owns specialises in a very specific areas of science and engineering and during this work experience day you will get the opportunity to take part in workshops and network with each of their companies.
Participating in an event such as this will not only allow you to learn more about industry, but it will also give you a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience that will be beneficial for adding value to your CV and LinkedIn profile. This will show employers (including Spectris) that you are proactive and looking to develop your skillset before entering the workplace, which can help you to be recognised as an ambitious and motivated individual as well as allowing you to stand out from other students.
Please sign up for this incredible opportunity, by using the registration link below. After the event you will receive a certificate that you can use on your CV’s and any job applications that you make.
Registration Link: