Foreword By Mr.G.P.Gallie, B.A., Headmaster.
It is a real pleasure to write a few words for the opening of this History of John Taylor High School. Gerald Carey has gathered here photographs, documents and memories from the past, particularly from the early years of the school, which will be of great interest to others who saw the school arise from plots 455 and 460 on the Ordnance Survey Map. They are also fascinating to those who, like me, have come more recently to the scene. It is not just that these accounts help to explain just how and why the physical and social elements of the school have changed and developed. They also reflect the continuing determination that the school should provide the best possible for its pupils, and the pride taken in their achievements.
Gerald Carey has given much time to compiling this History, and his generous, often amusing reflections on the comings and goings of the school are delightful to read. Already we owe him a great deal. It was he who discovered the historic link between the schools of Barton-under-Needwood and the Drapers’ Company of London out of which arose their annual awards and contributions to pupils of John Taylor School. As a result also of these researches we celebrated in 1993 the 400th.anniversary of the establishment of the first school in the village. Now I am most grateful to him for drawing our attention to the fact that 1997 sees the 40th. anniversary of the present school, and also the 25th. anniversary of its comprehensive status.
We shall mark those anniversaries not just by looking back and celebrating all that has been achieved, but also by looking forward. Forty years ago the Local Authority covered all the costs of the original school, and they paid for the necessary expansion of 25 years ago. They still pay for almost all the costs of the education of the pupils. But now, if there is to be further development in a community school such as John Taylor High, the community will need to carry some of the costs. Gerald Carey has generously agreed that the proceeds of the sale of this History should be contributed towards school improvements. Could it be that some who read it may feel the wish to support the school further ? In celebrating the past can we also ensure that the next 25 or even 40 years see a continued growth of expectations and opportunities for the generation to come ?