Jaguar Land Rover

Case Study – Ashley Hopwell, former engineering learner

Are you looking for a sixth form with great pathways to an apprenticeship?

With links to some of the UK’s leading businesses, it’s no surprise that our former learners have secured fantastic apprenticeships since leaving The JCB Academy Sixth Form.

Take Ashley Hopwell for example, he joined The JCB Academy Sixth Form in 2014, studying mathematics, further mathematics, physics, EPQ and product design. Ashley, from Mickleover in Derby, is now a degree programme apprentice at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR); attending Warwickshire College one day a week, with the remaining in the engine manufacturing centre at JLR. Whilst in the workplace, Ashley spends time in each of the departments, gaining an understanding of how the overall centre operates.

In November, Ashley was crowned the best in the Midlands at this year’s regional EEF Future Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year Awards. He was awarded the award for the Midlands region in the higher apprenticeship category and will go through to the UK national finals in London in 2018.

Ashley said; “Choosing to attend The JCB Academy Sixth Form is a decision I will never regret, the opportunities that have been unlocked as a result of studying there have been endless. Attending a sixth form with a name such as The JCB Academy shows future employers that I was passionate about forming my career in engineering from a young age.”

Mr Stanmore, Director of The JCB Academy Sixth Form said; “The sixth form at The JCB Academy works closely with several industrial partners to ensure that learners get as much as they can from their time here. Such partnerships provide opportunities for working with industry professionals on projects that contextualise their learning. This offers a unique learning experience that many other sixth forms don’t offer and contributes to what gives our leavers the competitive edge as they enter the world of business.”


What you can study at The JCB Academy Sixth Form – You can choose to study either: three A-levels, a diploma or you can mix your studies by choosing a diploma along with up to two A-levels.

Apply to The JCB Acdemy Sixth Form – please click here to apply