Our Staff
at John Taylor Free School
Meet Our Team
Our staff team is committed to supporting students to succeed and thrive at John Taylor Free School. Below, you can find key members of staff and guidance on how to contact the school.
Senior Leadership Team
The Senior Leadership Team provides the strategic leadership of the school, working together to ensure high standards of education, care and support for all students.
Mrs S Martin
Headteacher
Mrs Martin became Headteacher of John Taylor Free School in January 2026, following many successful years on outstanding senior leadership teams.
As Headteacher, Mrs Martin is responsible for the overall leadership of the school, the vision and ethos, and ensuring that all students are provided with the opportunities needed to succeed and thrive. Having graduated from The University of St Andrews with a Geography degree, she is also always keen to support students with the subject wherever she can.
Outside of the classroom, Mrs Martin enjoys running, aerial yoga, and travelling to new places.
Ms E Pugh
Deputy Headteacher
Ms Pugh is Deputy Headteacher at John Taylor Free School. Her extensive leadership experience spans 20 years in highly successful Multi-Academy Trusts in the Midlands.
Ms Pugh is responsible for Teaching and Learning, and curriculum design and timetabling. First and foremost, though, she is a passionate and dedicated English teacher.
Beyond school, she has a love for rugby, reading and music – her playlists are epically eclectic.
Mr S McAusland
Deputy Headteacher
Mr McAusland is Deputy Headteacher at John Taylor Free School. He has a wide range of experience as a senior leader in schools across in the Midlands, having joined the profession after gaining his degree in mathematics.
He joined JTFS as Deputy Headteacher in the autumn of 2023, having been drawn to the simple and clear goals of the school – for everyone to succeed and thrive.
Mr McAusland is a keen musician and sportsman. He is currently also working on learning a foreign language, which is a good reminder of how it feels to be a student.
Mrs C Broughton
Deputy Headteacher / SENDCo
Mrs Broughton is Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for Post-16, Careers and Student Leadership. Previously at JTFS, she was the Assistant Headteacher for Student Progress.
Mrs Broughton has been part of John Taylor Free School since its opening in 2018, having moved from London where she worked as a Lead Practitioner and Head of Maths at a large secondary school.
Outside of work, she enjoys playing netball and going to the gym whenever time allows.
Assistant Headteachers
Our Assistant Headteachers hold leadership responsibility for key aspects of teaching, learning and student experience, helping to shape and improve provision across the school.
Mrs J Bassett
Assistant Headteacher
Mrs Bassett is the Assistant Headteacher responsible for data, progress and assessments within the school, and is passionate that all students can succeed and thrive.
She is maths teacher and joined the profession after gaining her degree in mathematics from Loughborough University. She has previously worked as a Head of Maths for 7 years and joined John Taylor Free School in September 2024.
Mrs Bassett has a passion for music, theatre and travelling, and outside of work loves day trips and attending concerts.
Mr T Bithell
Assistant Headteacher
Mr Bithell is Assistant Headteacher at John Taylor Free School. He has worked within JTMAT over the last 15 years in a variety of roles as well as working with the Staffordshire Research School and the John Taylor Teaching School Hub.
He joined JTFS as a founding member of staff in 2018 and has helped to foster a culture of learning amongst staff and students.
Mr Bithell enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as travelling to new places.
Mr M Davis
Assistant Headteacher
Having qualified as an English teacher in 2011, Mr Davis has gained a wealth of experience across a number of schools across the region, including within JTMAT.
He joined JTFS as Lead Teacher for Literacy when the school opened. Having established the English department, he joined the school’s senior leadership team in 2022 in his current role.
Mr Davis enjoys running, listening to podcasts and keeping abreast of current affairs. He is also a keen fan of Nottingham Forest, developing the robust emotional resilience which comes with it!
Mr K Johnson
Assistant Headteacher
Mr Johnson is the Assistant Headteacher who oversees Behaviour and Attendance at John Taylor Free School.
He has a range of experience working in pastoral positions across a range of secondary settings and is committed to ensuring the highest standards and expectations for all students.
When not at school, Mr Johnson enjoys playing golf, watching films and spending time with his family.
Mr P Robinson
Assistant Headteacher
Mr Robinson is Assistant Headteacher and Head of Post 16.
Pastoral and Learning Support
Our pastoral teams work closely with students and families to provide day‑to‑day support, guidance and care, helping students feel safe, supported and ready to learn.
Year 7
Year 8
Year 9
Year 10
Year 11
Post-16
Contacting Personal Tutors
Personal Tutors are the first point of contact for day‑to‑day pastoral matters. Each student is supported by a Personal Tutor throughout the school year.
Information about your child’s tutor is shared through school communications, student planners and parent events. If you are unsure, the school office or pastoral team will be able to help.
We recommend contacting tutors through the school’s main contact routes, including the school office or your child’s pastoral team, to ensure messages are received and responded to appropriately.