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.