Assistant Headteacher

THE JOHN OF GAUNT SCHOOL
A Community Academy

THE TOWN OF TROWBRIDGE

Trowbridge is a growing town of about 33,000 people and it is the administrative centre of the county of Wiltshire, housing both County Hall and the offices of the West Wiltshire District Council.  Its industry has tended to be in the production of food and drink since the decline of the woollen mills on which the town’s prosperity was traditionally based.  There is a successful new business park just outside the town, which has seen an influx of firms to the area.  Local people also commute to Bath, Bristol and Swindon for employment.

A number of other very attractive small towns - Bradford on Avon, Melksham, Westbury, Devizes and Frome in Somerset - are within easy travelling distance and many of the staff at John of Gaunt choose to live in one or other of the towns or small villages in which the area abounds.  The Georgian city of Bath is about 20 minutes away by road; this again, with its cultural and recreational opportunities, is a great attraction.  Either by M4 or by rail, London (to the east) and Bristol and South Wales (to the west) are also easily accessible.

THE JOHN OF GAUNT SCHOOL

The John of Gaunt School, one of three secondary schools in the town, lies to the west of Trowbridge on the road to Radstock.  It occupies a large site of 25 acres comprising a variety of buildings, tennis courts, sports community provision including a floodlit, all weather pitch and pleasant grounds.

The oldest building (Wingfield) dates from 1899, and was the site of the Trowbridge High School for Boys with the Gloucester building at the far end of the campus being the Trowbridge High School for Girls.  The John of Gaunt School became comprehensive in 1974 and was named after the medieval politician and landowner on part of whose property Trowbridge now stands. 

Message from the Headteacher

The John of Gaunt School is a unique, vibrant and highly successful school.  The School has a strong reputation for both academic and pastoral excellence and it is a great honour to be the Headteacher.

Whilst we are first and foremost a place of learning, we strive to ensure that students are academically nurtured and cared for in a safe environment in which they can be happy, grow, gain in confidence and be challenged to achieve in all aspects of school life.

Our school provides a learning environment that is rich in encouragement, and enthusiasm along with a belief in every individual.  We offer a curriculum and a pastoral system designed to enrich the learning experience of all our students, whatever their ability. Helping our young people develop into confident, sensitive and reflective adults is fundamental. During their time at The John of Gaunt School we will ensure young people meet or exceed their potential, this is achieved though outstanding teaching and careful support for each young person throughout their time with us.

We pride ourselves in being a community school, we thrive on strong supportive relationships with parents and carers and believe that students are best educated when parents, students and staff all work in unison.

At The John of Gaunt School we believe in regularly celebrating the success of learners, no matter how small the accomplishment. The school offers a wide range of extra-curricular clubs, before school, during lunch times and after school, as well as cultural trips and visits, foreign exchanges and residential trips, we believe these opportunities enrich the lives of our young people and enhance our already thriving curriculum offer.

We thoroughly enjoy having visitors and would like to encourage you to come in and visit us at any time, we have a fantastic reputation and are proud of the excellent recent OFSTED inspection. We would be delighted to show our school on a normal school day in order for you to sample our open, caring and nurturing ethos. If there is anything that we can help with, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Paul Skipp

Headteacher