Walton High School, Stafford

Walton High School is a large mixed secondary school and sixth form serving a community in the southern part of Stafford.There are approximately 1350 students on roll. The headteacher is Neil Finlay, who took over the role from Susan Kirkham when she retired at the end of Winter Term 2007. The previous headteacher was David Hardman. The school catchment area is 4.5 miles around the school. The school sixth form provision forms part of the Stafford Collegiate which includes all Stafford secondary schools and Stafford College.Sporting achievementsIn March 2000, Walton High School Rugby Team won the Midland Counties State Schools Under 14 Cup. Walton’s path to the final consisted of victories over Abbot Beyne High School (53-0), Cheslyn Hay High School (49-0), John Taylor High School (44-0), North Kesteven (31-12) and Cardinal Newman High School 15-7.The 1999/2000 season also saw Walton High School Rugby Team win the Staffordshire Schools Cup, beating Newcastle College 18-5. This trophy was retained for a further two years, following a 10-10 draw and a 12-5 win in the 2001 and 2002 finals respectively, both contested with Newcastle College.Following the Midland Counties State Schools Under 14 Cup victory, the rugby team qualified for the Daily Mail Cup national competition, but the team was beaten in a controversial game in the last 32 of the tournament.Notable former pupils Dave Gorman, comedian, author, and television presenter Julia Hills, actress Jonathan Ive, designer of the iMac, iPod, iPhone, and iPad, among othersGeorge Falcus, entrepreneur Nina Aleksejuk, model, businesswomen