We get quite a lot of frequently asked questions at The JCB Academy and there are quite a few misconceptions about the academy, engineering and our partners.
If you do have a question that isn’t listed here please contact us.
Questions/Answers
What is the connection with JCB at The JCB Academy ?
The JCB Academy is sponsored by JCB and, alongside other businesses including Toyota Manufacturing, Harper Adams University, Bosch Rexroth and Rolls-Royce, they form our Core Challenge Partners who together develop our unique curriculum and learning techniques.
What is engineering and what career can I go into?
Engineering covers many different types of activity, simply put, engineering is all about solving problems.
- Engineers make things, they make things work and they make things work better
- Engineers use their creativity to design solutions to the world’s problems
- Engineers help build the future
Engineers work on a vast range of different areas that affect people. These include things such as advances in biomedical engineering like new materials for hip replacements or advanced prosthetics.
Engineers build the world around us including buildings, roads, bridges, schools and hospitals. Engineers also manage our water, gas and electricity supplies and they also develop new ways to generate electricity such as wind and solar power.
Engineers make the food we eat and the medicines we take. They also develop new materials like high performance sports fabrics or new electronic displays.
Have a look at the our article on Engineering Careers by clicking here for more information
What engineering projects do learners undertake at The JCB Academy?
The learners participate in various engineering based activities. Activities include the Toyota Challenge, Harper Adams Challenge and the JCB Loadall Challenge.
Do learners at The JCB Academy go onto work for JCB?
Yes, some learners at The JCB Academy go onto work at JCB, but all learners leaving The JCB Academy have the same pathways as any other school: further education, apprenticeship or employment. We believe that our learners are educated in such a unique way that they are appealing to businesses, and JCB are just one of the many businesses that we have established links with.
Is The JCB Academy a private school?
No – The JCB Academy is a free school that is funded by the Department of Education.
Does The JCB Academy have a bus transport service?
Yes – The JCB Academy has several transport routes dedicated to our learners, these are part subsidised by the academy. For further information please visit our Transport page here.
Is there a catchment area to join The JCB Academy ?
Yes – The JCB Academy has an 18 mile radius catchment area from ST14 5JX. However, we do take applications from outside the catchment area but these would be placed on a waiting list if we are over-subscribed. You can check if you’re within our catchment by clicking here.
Can girls apply to The JCB Academy ?
Yes – The JCB Academy are co-educational with an ever growing intake of girls year on year. On average we have a 20% intake of girls.
What is the criteria for entry for The JCB Academy ?
The JCB Academy has an 18 mile radius catchment area from ST14 5JX. We do take applications from outside the catchment area but these would be placed on a waiting list if we are over-subscribed. You can check if you’re within our catchment by clicking here. All applicants have to sit a cognitive ability test in order to be eligible for selection.
Is there an entrance exam at The JCB Academy ?
No, there is not a entrance exam to join The JCB Academy. However, all applicants do sit a cognitive ability test to become eligible for selection. Please note that this test is not means-tested.
What curriculum does The JCB Academy offer?
The JCB Academy follows the core subjects of English, mathematics and science but we tailor the remaining curriculum around engineering and business. See our Year 9 curriculum & Year 10/11 curriculum.
What do The JCB Academy teach in their engineering lessons?
At The JCB Academy we teach a number of engineering subjects that all fit together into our 10-12 week challenge programme (we break the year into engineering challenge sections that have a specific point of learning).
For example, when learners arrive in Y9 they spend around eight weeks working alongside Harper Adams University studying steering systems, suspension systems and different chassis configurations. As part of this, and working in teams, learners go on to design and manufacture their own remote control, off road vehicle, using their learned knowledge.
In Year 10 learners then work with employees from JCB, where they study many principles of engineering, how things work the way they do and how we keep them working through regular service. Learners then go on to researching basic hydraulics and pneumatics, electronics, gear ratios, etc. We continue this throughout the learners time in Year 10 with another one of the academy partners, Rolls-Royce. In Year 11 learners work on engineering manufacture with another academy partner, Toyota. See our Year 9 curriculum & Year 10/11 curriculum for further information on our subjects.[/x_accordion_item]
Is there a JCB Academy Sixth Form?
Yes – The JCB Academy Sixth Form also specialisies in engineering and business and is open to external learners as well as our own learners. Visit the website at http://jcbacademy-sixthform.com/
Does The JCB Academy have an open day?
Yes, The JCB Academy has an annual open day on the first Saturday in October. We also hold open days/evenings for the sixth form but only one annual event for the academy.
How do you apply to The JCB Academy?
Applications to join The JCB Academy are made through The JCB Academy’s website – You can apply online by clicking here.