JCB Academy

Further education and skills inspection report

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Apprenticeships Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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Information about this provider

The JCB Academy is an independent training provider that offers apprenticeships in the engineering and construction sectors. At the time of inspection, there were 250 apprentices in learning. The largest number of apprentices were on the engineering technician apprenticeship, with 135 apprentices.

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Information about this provider

Leaders use subcontracting arrangements to teach construction apprenticeships to 47 apprentices. Most apprentices who study with the subcontractor are on bricklayer and groundworker apprenticeships. Approximately half of apprentices are under 18 when they begin their studies. 3 to 6 June 2025

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices develop mastery in highly sought-after skills in the engineering and construction sectors. They receive specialised, targeted training from industry experts using industry-standard equipment. Tutors continually encourage apprentices to refine their skills and strive for excellence. Apprentices respond exceptionally well to this encouragement and consistently demonstrate excellent attitudes towards their studies. Level 3 machining apprentices operate heavy machinery carefully and strictly follow safety rules. These apprentices often exceed the expected progress, sometimes instructing more experienced colleagues on how to operate unfamiliar equipment in the workplace.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices’ attendance to lessons is very high. This is because they enjoy their learning and highly value the skills they gain, so they rarely miss lessons. Staff emphasise the importance of attendance and punctuality, as well as the impact these have on career prospects. When apprentices are absent, staff contact employers promptly to collaborate and prevent further absences.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Tutors skilfully support apprentices to build their confidence and character. Apprentices are trained to develop a broad range of skills such as communication, problem-solving and teamwork which helps them thrive in the workplace. Level 3 engineering technician apprentices build confidence and character through hands-on experience and tailored support, gaining practical skills. Staff nurture this growth by providing real workplace opportunities, encouraging open communication and offering constructive feedback, enabling apprentices to integrate well with teams and voice their ideas confidently.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Tutors empower apprentices with comprehensive, insightful information and personalised guidance, enabling them to make well-informed career decisions. They gain a deep understanding of diverse progression pathways in the workplace such as leadership roles and receive tailored support to work purposefully towards achieving these ambitious goals.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Tutors provide apprentices with useful training on radicalisation and how to recognise extremist behaviour. Most apprentices can recall this training and identify behaviours that could indicate radicalisation is taking place.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices feel safe in all aspects of their studies. They say bullying and harassment are not tolerated, and if incidents occur, they are confident that staff will take swift and appropriate action.

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better?

Leaders are sharply focused on developing engineers and construction operatives equipped with the necessary skills to excel in these industries. They work closely with world-leading organisations to shape the content of the curriculums offered and the behaviours essential for success. This enables apprentices to benefit from 3 to 6 June 2025

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ambitious, high-quality and up-to-date training that thoroughly prepares them for successful careers.

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Leaders sequence the curriculums they teach exceptionally well. Level 3 machinist technician apprentices begin with core competency requirements such as health and safety when operating specialist machinery before learning to understand and read engineering drawings and specifications. Apprentices then apply this knowledge to set the appropriate machines, calculate finite tolerances and work with components such as bevel boxes, railway wheels and axles. Tasks become increasingly complex over time, empowering apprentices to build their confidence as their knowledge and skills evolve.

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Leaders provide apprentices with high-quality equipment and facilities which replicate the workplace. This contributes to apprentices developing workplace-ready skills on specialist and complex equipment. They are confident to use these to industry standards. Level 2 groundworker apprentices practise their skills on a simulated construction site, which prepares them to safely navigate the hazards encountered in equivalent real-life situations on site.

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Exceptional teaching helps apprentices thrive in their studies. Tutors use a variety of highly effective and skilfully chosen techniques, including demonstrations, questioning, problem-solving and group work, to teach apprentices. Level 2 welding tutors expertly break tasks down into small steps that help apprentices understand new welding techniques. They demonstrate new skills such as tungsten inert gas welding and shielded metal arc welding then provide apprentices opportunities to practise, offering helpful guidance where needed until they have mastered these skills.

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Leaders provide apprentices with additional needs the assistance they require to reach their full potential. Level 2 engineering operative apprentices with dyslexia benefit from staff identifying their support needs early in their studies. Staff create a support plan that includes specialised software to assist with academic writing. Staff also convert written guidance into audio. Additionally, staff organise frequent one-to- one support sessions with apprentices.

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Tutors provide apprentices with expertly tailored and precise feedback, helping apprentices rapidly improve the quality of their work and ensuring it meets high standards. Tutors’ written feedback is precise, offering specific instructions on areas for improvement, including guidance on grammar, spelling and referencing. Additionally, tutors give oral feedback on apprentices’ technical skills during workshops, enabling apprentices to practise and refine these skills continually. This ongoing feedback helps apprentices develop their abilities and produce consistent, high-quality written and practical work.

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Tutors expertly guide apprentices to acquire substantial new knowledge, skills and behaviours throughout their apprenticeship. Apprentices often start their studies with little or no experience in engineering or construction. However, they quickly develop new knowledge and skills that employers highly value. This enables 3 to 6 June 2025

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apprentices to make a swift and lasting positive contribution in the workplace. Level 3 engineering technician apprentices learn to use industry-standard software for their computer-aided design drawings rapidly and skilfully. They also gain experience operating advanced equipment such as welding machines and computer numerical control machinery, improving their practical skills.

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Most apprentices achieve their apprenticeship. On completion of their studies, most apprentices continue in long-term employment with their employer, with many securing promotions to supervisory and leadership roles.

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Leaders have implemented rigorous assurance processes to gain a comprehensive understanding of the quality of education apprentices receive, including the subcontracted provision. They undertake frequent learning walks, annual lesson observations and apprentice and employer surveys. Leaders take precise and well- considered actions where necessary to improve the provision’s quality continuously.

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Governance arrangements are highly effective. Governors possess a wide range of expertise that is valuable to the provider, offering strategic direction and insights from industry and reinforcing the high expectations for the technical skills required in the industry. Senior leaders provide governors with detailed information on the performance of apprentices and courses, which identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the provision. Governors use this information and their expertise effectively to hold senior leaders to account for the quality of education provided.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. 3 to 6 June 2025

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Provider details

Address Mill Street Rocester Uttoxeter Staffordshire ST14 5JX

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Provider details

Provider type Independent learning provider

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection 8 to 11 October 2019

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Provider details

Main subcontractors Accxel Limited 3 to 6 June 2025

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the director of apprenticeships, as nominee. Inspectors took account of the provider’s most recent self-assessment report and development plans, and the previous inspection report. The inspection was carried out using the further education and skills inspection handbook and took into account all relevant provision at the provider. Inspectors collected a wide range of evidence to inform judgements, including visiting learning sessions, scrutinising learners’ work, seeking the views of learners, staff and other stakeholders, and examining the provider’s documentation and records.

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Inspection team

Joel Dalhouse, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Stuart Collett His Majesty’s Inspector Deb Whiston Ofsted Inspector Kevin Williams Ofsted Inspector Jack Bullock Ofsted Inspector Maggie Fobister Ofsted Inspector 3 to 6 June 2025

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regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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