John Taylor High School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

Students at John Taylor High School receive an outstanding education so that they are exceptionally well prepared for the next stage of their lives. A key feature in the academy's sustained excellent performance at GCSE is the care and guidance that is provided for each student to ensure that qualifications chosen are well-matched to their abilities and future aspirations. Most groups of students make consistently good progress and many make outstanding progress so that attainment is well above the national average.

Teaching is outstanding, and particularly strong in the sixth form. Teachers have exceptionally good subject knowle...dge and use this very well to plan lessons that motivate and enthuse students to learn. Teachers mark students' work regularly and provide clear advice for next steps in their learning.

However, students are not always encouraged to respond and discuss advice. The behaviour of students is outstanding. They have excellent attitudes to learning, showing great respect to staff and to each other.

This helps to create an exceptionally positive environment in which to learn throughout the academy. The sixth form is outstanding. Students are exceptionally well supported both academically and in their personal development.

The Principal, governors and leaders at all levels are relentless in their drive to continually enhance teaching and learning, so that the high standards already achieved are set to improve further. Students and parents value the academy greatly and believe that staff do the best they possibly can for them. Staff are exceptionally supportive of the academy and its leadership.

One member of staff said, 'It's a privilege to be a member of staff at this school.' The governing body is very effective because it is highly ambitious for the academy and absolutely committed to its continuous improvement.

Information about this school

John Taylor High School is a large secondary academy with a sixth form.

It converted to become an academy school in November 2010. When its predecessor school of the same name was last inspected by Ofsted it was judged to be outstanding. Students come from a wide area with many travelling in by bus from outlying areas.

The proportion of students known to be eligible for pupil premium is well below average. The pupil premium is additional funding provided by the government to support students known to be eligible for free school meals, those in local authority care and the children of service families. The proportion of students supported at school action is slightly above average.

The proportion supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is well below average. A very small number of students in Year 10 and 11 attend alternative provision at Burton and South Derbyshire College. The academy enters students early for GCSE mathematics.

All students have the opportunity to re-take mathematics in the summer and continue to study the subject throughout Year 11. The academy is a teaching school. The academy meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for students' attainment and progress in English and mathematics.