John Taylor High School

Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form

Part of JOHN TAYLOR MAT

Dunstall Road, Barton-under-Needwood, Burton-on-Trent, DE13 8AZ

01283 247800 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedNo overall gradeInspected 7 May 2025
Grade 5 or above in English and maths64%England 45% · 2024/25
1st highest of 7 state secondary schools in Burton-on-Trent.
Higher than 86% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,523Room for 1,800 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,583 in 2019, 1,633 in 2021, 1,625 in 2022, 1,557 in 2023, 1,512 in 2024, 1,499 in 2025, 1,523 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.0251 for 242 places, September 2026
2nd highest of 7 state secondary schools in Burton-on-Trent.
Higher than 67% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

At the inspection that started on 7 May 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationOutstanding
Behaviour and attitudesGood
Personal developmentOutstanding
Leadership and managementOutstanding
Sixth formOutstanding
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

401 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.

Burton-on-Trent comparisons use the 3 of its 7 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 4 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.

StatementThis schoolBurton-on-TrentEngland
My child is happy at this school
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Burton-on-Trent.
Higher than 63% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
87% 83% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Burton-on-Trent.
Higher than 67% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
90% 81% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
Joint 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Burton-on-Trent.
Higher than 41% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
74% 70% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 160 parents whose child had been bullied
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Burton-on-Trent.
Higher than 59% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
53% 48% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 309 parents who had raised a concern
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Burton-on-Trent.
Higher than 62% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
75% 69% 76%
My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 86 parents of children with SEND
Joint 7th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Staffordshire.
Higher than 52% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
64% – 68%
I would recommend this school to another parent
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Burton-on-Trent.
Higher than 64% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
85%said yes 78% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 27%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Burton-on-Trent figures pool parents at the Burton-on-Trent schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.

We'll ask you to confirm. One email per change, and you can unsubscribe at any time. Privacy.

Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

241 pupils in this year group.

64% — 24 points above the Staffordshire average, and 18 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolStaffordshireEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 64% 40% 45%
Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. 54.8 43.9 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 5.0 3.8 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
40% 50% 60% 70% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 58%This school 2023/24: 65%This school 2024/25: 64% This school England 45% 2022/23 58% 2023/24 65% 2024/25 64%

Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.

Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After Year 11

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

248 pupils in this year group.

98% — 6 points above the Staffordshire average, and 6 points above the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 65%25%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolStaffordshireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 98% 92% 92%
School sixth form 65% 33% 34%
Sixth form college 0% 3% 13%
Further education college 25% 46% 37%
Apprenticeship 4% 5% 3%
Work 2% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
98%98%

Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25

122 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolStaffordshireEngland
Average A level grade B C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 32% 19% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 67% 46% 53%
Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. 38.8 33.4 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
30 35 40 45 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 36.6This school 2023/24: 39.6This school 2024/25: 38.8 This school England 35 2022/23 36.6 2023/24 39.6 2024/25 38.8

A level subjects, 2024/25

21 subjects, 326 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Sociology 40 5% 30% 20%
Business Studies:Single 28 14% 32% 16%
Biology 27 4% 44% 27%
Chemistry 27 11% 52% 30%
Mathematics 23 22% 52% 40%
Psychology 22 5% 32% 19%
Geography 21 10% 24% 23%
English Language 19 0% 0% 13%
Environmental Science 18 6% 11% 14%
Religious Studies 16 0% 19% 22%
Economics 15 0% 47% 26%
History 15 0% 13% 23%
Law 11 0% 18% 17%
Physics 10 20% 60% 31%
Physical Education / Sports Studies 9 0% 22% 17%
English Literature 8 0% 38% 23%
Art and Design 6 17% 50% 34%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Mathematics (Further), Computer Studies / Computing, Design and Technology (Product Design), French.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After sixth form

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

171 students in this year group.

85% — 4 points above the Staffordshire average, and 6 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolStaffordshireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 85% 81% 79%
Apprenticeship 8% 11% 7%
Work 21% 33% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
92%85%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Going on to university

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

180 students in this year group.

69% — 17 points above the Staffordshire average, and 9 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolStaffordshireEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 69% 52% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 33% 11% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
75%69%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Admissions

Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Staffordshire. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.

How hard is it to get in?

For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.

Places offered242
Families who put it first251
Of those, offered a place232 (92%)
Families who listed it at all465

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.2 · 2025: 1.2 · 2026: 1.0

This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.

Admissions dates and schools in Staffordshire

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolStaffordshireEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
7th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Burton-on-Trent.
Higher than 6% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
9.3% 22.7%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
6th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Burton-on-Trent.
Higher than 26% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
2.0% 2.3%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
7th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Burton-on-Trent.
Higher than 8% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
6.5% 13.4%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
7th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Burton-on-Trent.
Higher than 29% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
6.3% 7.6%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
1st lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Burton-on-Trent.
Lower than 95% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
4.9% 7.6%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
1st lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Burton-on-Trent.
Lower than 93% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
11.7% 20.8%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
1st lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Burton-on-Trent.
Lower than 80% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
5.7 18.4 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
1st lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Burton-on-Trent.
Lower than 73% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
4.1% 7.0% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil 0.07% 0.31% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
5th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Burton-on-Trent.
Higher than 59% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
17.2 17.3 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
Joint 2nd highest of 7 state secondary schools in Burton-on-Trent.
Higher than 74% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
12.9 12.0 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
7th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Burton-on-Trent.
Higher than 16% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
7.9% 13.9%* 14.2%*

Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.

Nearby secondary schools

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is John Taylor High School's Ofsted rating?

At its inspection in 7 May 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.

How did John Taylor High School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 64% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 18 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend John Taylor High School?

85% of the 401 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend John Taylor High School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is John Taylor High School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 251 families put John Taylor High School as their first choice for 242 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 232 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.

Page updated 26 September 2026.