We are incredibly proud to announce that a Stoke City FC legends t-shirt designed by JCB Academy learners is now officially on sale, both online and in-store through the club’s official retail outlets.
The t-shirt was created by Immy, Olivia and Hollie, now Year 11 learners, as part of the Year 10 Business Studies Curriculum Challenge delivered in partnership with Stoke City FC. The challenge tasked learners with developing an innovative, Potters-themed merchandise product that could be taken from concept through to production.
From Classroom Concept to Official Retail Product
After months of research, design development, and product planning, the learners produced a premium t-shirt design featuring a bottle kiln silhouette filled with the names of Stoke City heroes past and present. Their concept was selected as the winning design by a judging panel and has since been fully commissioned by Stoke City FC for retail sale.
Seeing a learner-designed product reach the shelves of a professional football club store is a powerful example of real-world learning in action.
Developing Real Business Skills
Through the challenge, learners gained hands-on experience in key areas of business, including:
- Product design and development
- Market and audience research
- Costing and pricing considerations
- Business strategy and planning
- Teamwork, communication, and problem-solving
These are the same skills used daily within the business and retail sectors, helping learners understand what a real career in business looks like beyond the classroom.
A Strong Partnership with Stoke City FC
The JCB Academy has worked in partnership with Stoke City FC for over five years, providing learners with authentic business challenges that reflect real industry expectations. This year’s project is a standout example of how employer partnerships enrich the curriculum and raise aspirations.
Stoke City FC has also published an official news story celebrating the learners’ achievement, which can be read here:
https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/2025/december/02/young-entrepreneurs-design-hits-stoke-city-store/
Changing Lives Through Real-World Learning
This project exemplifies The JCB Academy’s mission of changing lives by developing the engineers and business leaders of the future. We are incredibly proud of Immy, Olivia and Hollie for their creativity, professionalism, and commitment throughout the challenge, and we are delighted to see their work available to Stoke City supporters.
