Headteacher

John Spendluffe is a converter academy that sits at the heart of the community that it serves and, as a standalone academy, we can plan strategically for the needs of our students. We work creatively and innovatively to unlock the potential in every child and provide a friendly, engaging environment for students to learn. This was clearly identified in a recent Ofsted inspection, “The school has a strong family feel where the children’s needs are nurtured and well cared for”.

Our curriculum is both broad and exciting. Alongside the core subjects of English, maths and triple science we offer history, geography and two foreign languages. Our KS3 curriculum aims to enable students to further their love of learning through activities that build confidence, resilience and independence. At KS4 we offer a range of technology subjects including engineering, food and textiles, a vibrant expressive arts curriculum, and high quality vocational courses from IT to Sport. We stand proudly behind the range of assessment structures offered to our students and feel it gives them the widest opportunity to achieve. Students who enjoy their learning will make the best progress and excel in their KS4 qualifications. Ofsted noted that ”…pupils know their targets and say that teachers challenge them to achieve them”.

Our ethos is firmly rooted in the three ‘R’s’, ‘respect, responsibility and resilience’. We want our young people to grow into adults, who can succeed in the world beyond our school gates. Our behaviour code has respect at its core and we encourage our students to become those responsible young adults who will eventually leave JSTC with the qualifications, skills and experiences that prepare them for the world of work and a rewarding career. Together as a learning community we celebrate the successes of students at all levels – whether they leave us to go to sixth form and University, an apprenticeship with a national or local company, or to employment with training.

Working together with parents and carers enables us to ensure that students can achieve the goals that will take them to the next level of their chosen career. With excellent careers advice our students leave us with solid foundations for their future.

We welcome visits from prospective students and parents/carers and welcome the opportunity for you to see what JSTC has to offer. Our transition arrangements help each child to settle quickly into secondary school life at JSTC and this again was something identified during a recent Ofsted inspection, “Parents value the strengthened transition arrangements that leaders have implemented so that Year 7 pupils settle into the school quickly and attend well from the start”.

Headteacher: Ms J Shorrock