The JCB Academy

About The JCB Academy

The JCB Academy is a state secondary school in East Staffordshire that serves pupils aged 13 to 19, and it is currently oversubscribed, with 788 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 728. This level of demand suggests a strong local reputation, though the school does not publish a parent recommendation percentage in its data. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, carried out in January 2024, rated it Good across all categories, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision. This is consistent with its previous inspection in 2014, which also rated it Good overall. The school is non-denominational and co-educational, with a headteacher named Jim Bailey. A relatively high proportion of pupils, 16.3%, are eligible for free school meals, which is above the national average and indicates a diverse intake.

Academically, the school’s Progress 8 score for the 2023/24 academic year was -0.46, meaning pupils achieved nearly half a grade less per subject than the national average, and this places it in the bottom 50 nationally. Its Attainment 8 score was 42.5, and the basics measure at grade 4 or above in English and maths was 69.1%, though this dropped to 44.2% at grade 5 or above. No pupils entered the English Baccalaureate, and the EBacc average point score was 3.08. In the local authority of Staffordshire, the average Progress 8 score is -0.18, so the JCB Academy sits below this benchmark. At A-level, the school’s value-added score was -0.02, which is broadly in line with expectations, and the average points per entry was 26.16, equivalent to a grade of C-. The best three A-levels averaged a grade of C- as well, and 23.1% of entries were graded AAB or higher.

The school offers a wide range of facilities, including art studios, a theatre, science labs, a sixth-form centre, and a chapel, alongside sports such as swimming, cricket, hockey, and rugby. There is a strong selection of extracurricular clubs, including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Young Enterprise, and a debate club. The school’s SEND provisions are extensive, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, autistic spectrum disorder, and speech, language and communication needs, as well as physical disabilities and hearing impairment. This makes it a potentially good fit for families seeking a secondary school with a broad curriculum and strong support for pupils with additional needs, particularly those who may benefit from a later start at age 13. However, parents should weigh the below-average Progress 8 score against the school’s oversubscribed status and Good Ofsted rating when making their decision.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About The JCB Academy

Helpful Guides for Parents