Our Intent
At The JCB Academy, all learners begin with the Cambridge OCR Level 1/2 Cambridge National in Engineering Manufacture (J823), with some opting for additional specialisms in Engineering Design or Engineering Programmable Systems. Engineering is at the heart of our sponsor JCB and is a key pathway to apprenticeships and employment with our wide-ranging employer partners.
At The JCB Academy, we believe that qualifications open the door, but it is the development of the skills, knowledge, understanding, and professional behaviours valued by employers that enables learners to become well‑rounded and highly employable future leaders.
In Year 10, learners focus on building these essential engineering capabilities through a rotation of specialist engineering modules, including:
These rotations allow learners to develop strong technical competence, confidence in workshop environments, and a secure understanding of engineering processes and manufacturing practice.
Alongside this, learners actively participate in our Employer Challenges, where they apply their technical learning in real-world contexts. These challenges are designed to develop key employability skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and presentation, working in response to industry-led briefs.
In the final half term of Year 10, the Cambridge National set assignments are released. At this stage, learners transition into working towards achievement in the three formally assessed units, applying the skills, knowledge, and behaviours they have developed as part of the full qualification.
Cambridge National in Engineering Manufacture will inspire and equip learners with the confidence to use skills that are relevant to the engineering, manufacturing, process and control sector and more widely. It covers manufacturing processes, engineering materials, manufacturing requirements and developments in engineering manufacture.
Learners explore engineering principles via three interconnected units:
These units combine theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience, developing learners’ skills in problem-solving, technical drawing, CAD/CAM, safe workshop practice, and engineering quality control.
Learners benefit from exceptional real-world connections and projects:
These bespoke engagements ensure learners apply classroom learning to real-world engineering problems, raising aspiration and employability.
Learners engage in:
Structured homework ensures progress across both theory and practical elements.
Learners are continually assessed via: