Year 9

Year 9: Laying the Foundations

Year 9 is a vital transition year at The JCB Academy. With learners joining us from around 50 different feeder schools split across four local authority areas, this year is focused on setting high standards, establishing expectations, and building the foundations for success at GCSE level.

During this year, we:

Establish baseline data to inform personalised GCSE target setting
Immerse learners in academy life, helping them adapt to our unique environment
Develop professional behaviours aligned with the expectations of our employer partners

We believe that while qualifications open doors, it is a young person’s behaviour, mindset, and attitude that enable them to walk through those doors and thrive.

All learners in Year 9 study subjects aligned with our GCSE curriculum. In many traditional secondary schools, Year 9 still follows the national curriculum, with learners spending much of the year thinking about careers and making those often difficult option choices—should they follow the EBacc pathway? Take Art or Spanish? Geography or History?

By choosing The JCB Academy, those decisions become much simpler. As a UTC, every learner studies English, Maths, Science, Engineering, and Business as core subjects. But we go further. Our curriculum is enriched through high-quality, employer-led challenges embedded within projects and lessons. These experiences not only deepen subject knowledge but also begin to shape the professional and personal qualities that will serve learners throughout their careers.

The Importance of Reading

Reading is at the heart of our curriculum. It underpins all aspects of learning in English by:

Enhancing comprehension and critical thinking
Building vocabulary and language awareness
Developing the ability to analyse and interpret texts
Fostering empathy and social understanding through exposure to diverse perspectives
Strengthening communication skills by providing models for effective writing and speaking
Stimulating creativity and imagination, ensuring learners are prepared for academic success and lifelong learning

Each unit is supported by carefully selected reading materials, giving learners the opportunity to explore, analyse, and engage with texts at the core of their English education.

Weekly Reading Sessions

Year 9 learners also enjoy a dedicated weekly reading session designed to boost comprehension and spark a genuine love of reading. During these sessions, learners:

Use strategies such as activating prior knowledge, making predictions, asking questions, clarifying details, and summarising key ideas.
Can opt to read independently in our cosy reading nooks.
May be selected to work collaboratively in reciprocal reading groups that combine the enjoyment of stories with the development of essential skills.