New Tatenhill school ran by John Taylor seeking community thoughts on opening time

The boss of the John Taylor Multi Academy Trust has spoken of the amazing opportunity ahead for the trust as it runs the new £30 million secondary school being built in Tatenhill.

It was announced in April this year, by the Department of Education that the trust had been successful with its application to run the new school in Branston Road.

The new school is set to open in September 2018 and will provide education for children living in the area, including at the new housing developments in and around Branston Locks.

The £30 million complex is the first secondary school to be built in Staffordshire in 20 years.

Mike Donoghue is the chief executive officer of the multi academy trust and head teacher at John Taylor High School in Barton under Needwood, and has told the Burton Mail's sister title, the Lichfield Mercury that: "It is both an amazing opportunity, and a deeply humbling honour to be given the privilege to lead the new school and help shape its community.

"As what will be the newest addition to our family of schools, we are committed to giving our all to make its children academically successful and personally well-rounded – young people that their parents, and we, can be proud of.

"The first steps on that journey started some time ago with our vision for the new school, and our pace will now quicken with this approval of our plans. Our application team have worked tirelessly towards today, and this is a much-deserved reward for their efforts.

"The group now becomes the delivery team, and I’m incredibly fortunate to be working alongside them. We have a busy time ahead!”

Acumen Associates, is project managing the opening of the school from an administrative point of view and a spokesman said the group is looking now for community members to come forward to have their say on the plans.

He said: "The department for education requires community consultation for all new proposed schools. We’re working with the trust to ensure that all local schools, groups and individuals are informed of our exciting proposals, and have the chance to let their views be known."

Drop-in meetings are to be held throughout September this year at the training centre at John Taylor High School, on Dunstall Road, Barton under Needwood.

They will be held on the following days:

• Monday, September 11 between 3.30pm and 5.00pm;
• Thursday, September 21 between 8.30am and 10.00am;
• Wednesday, September 27 between 5.00pm and 6.30pm;
• Tuesday, October 3 between 12.00pm and 1.30pm.

A website has been launched for the school, which is available online at www.johntaylorfreeschool.co.uk , on which people can show their interest for the new school and receive regular updates on the developments.