The JCB Academy - Britain’s only school dedicated to developing engineers and business leaders of the future - has passed its first full Ofsted inspection with flying colours.
Inspectors concluded that the achievement of pupils, the quality of teaching, the behaviour and safety of pupils and the leadership and management were all “good”.
In addition, the Ofsted team highlighted “outstanding” features, including progress in mathematics, engineering and vocational courses and the Rocester-based Academy’s dedication to keeping students safe and secure.
Today JCB Academy Principal Jim Wade said: "We are delighted that the inspection team saw so much that was good or outstanding at The JCB Academy during the recent inspection. It is particularly pleasing that the team recognised that progress in mathematics, engineering and vocational courses is outstanding and that ‘the academy's work to keep students safe and secure is outstanding’ and ‘students state they feel exceptionally safe in the academy’ ”
JCB Academy Chair of Governors David Bell said: “We are thrilled that Ofsted has now validated the real difference The JCB Academy makes to the lives and aspirations of the young people fortunate enough to be allocated a place with us. The team at The JCB Academy strives for excellence and we aim to be not just a national leader in providing engaging education, but a world leader as well. You can already see by the progress we have made in just four years, that this will certainly be achieved in the years to come.”
JCB Chairman Lord Bamford said: “I’m delighted that the JCB Academy has been rated so highly by OFSTED in its first report. The young people attending The JCB Academy are not only receiving a fantastic education, they are also leaving with the exact skills and attitudes that employers in the engineering sector are looking for.”
The Ofted report praises The JCB Academy’s “high reputation in the engineering and business” sectors and highlights that many students enter apprenticeships, higher education courses and careers which reflect the characteristics of the University Technical College.
The Inspectors’ other keys observations include:
· The Academy prepares its students extremely well for their future education and careers
· In 2013 all Year 11 students carried on into further education, employment or training
· All sixth form students leaving The JCB Academy went to university, found employment or entered into an apprenticeship
· The exceptional learning in the engineering and technical lessons is underpinned by teachers inspiring students with their professional experience and deep knowledge of engineering and business
· Students state they feel exceptionally safe in The JCB Academy and parents confirm this view
· Incidents of poor behaviour disrupting learning in lessons are rare because the majority of students are keen to learn
· Students are proud of their academy and The JCB Academy buildings are treated with respect by all students with no evidence of litter or graffiti
· Governors are highly skilled and experienced in the world of business and industry
Since opening in 2010, The JCB Academy has been developing a unique approach to the delivery of learning. This has been praised by such figures as John Cridland, Director-General of the CBI, who commented: “An inspirational building filled with inspirational young people.” and Philip Greenish, Chief Executive of the Royal Academy of Engineering, who said: " The JCB Academy is astoundingly good, recruiting non-selectively from a wide area. Terms are longer, working days are longer, but its is heavily oversubscribed and amazingly well equipped. The students are highly motivated and their results are astonishingly good.”
Earlier this month Labour Peer Lord Young of Norwood Green told the House of Lords: “I had the good fortune to visit the JCB Academy, which is now a university technical college. It is a superb college, with a balanced approach to vocational education that enthuses and inspires young people.”