JCB Academy warning
A multi-million pound training academy to be developed by engineering giant JCB could bring down exam grades in the area, according to Staffordshire County Council. A multi-million pound training academy to be developed by engineering giant JCB could bring down exam grades in the area, according to Staffordshire County Council. Concerns have been raised by the local education authority (LEA), which believes the plans for the £20 million JCB Academy could affect results at local schools if the best students opt to attend the specialist institute. Staffordshire Council Council said it is concerned about "educational practice" at the planned vocational training academy. The academy will offer diplomas in engineering, manufacturing and international business for 540 students between 14 and 19. Read the full story in the Express & Star.
A multi-million pound training academy to be developed by engineering giant JCB could bring down exam grades in the area, according to Staffordshire County Council.
Concerns have been raised by the local education authority (LEA), which believes the plans for the £20 million JCB Academy could affect results at local schools if the best students opt to attend the specialist institute.
Staffordshire Council Council said it is concerned about "educational practice" at the planned vocational training academy.
The academy will offer diplomas in engineering, manufacturing and international business for 540 students between 14 and 19.
The county said that while it has no objection to the development in principle, it is worried about the impact on other engineering courses in local areas, the admissions policy of the facility and the effects of the academy on LEA budgets, pupil numbers and results at A-Level and GCSE.
Building work on the Academy, to be located in the Grade II listed Tutbury Mill, in Rocester, near Uttoxeter, is planned to start this winter in readiness for a planned September 2009 opening.
But despite offering much needed vocational training for youngsters across Staffordshire, the county council said it has concerns about the impact of the academy on current post-16 education.
Paul Pritchard, head of the JCB Academy Project, has promised the resource will "develop a passion" for technical and academic excellence in engineering, manufacturing and international business and help JCB to meet growth plans and continue its investment in the UK.
The council is now writing to JCB outlining its concerns and officers are meeting with representatives from the company to discuss the plans.
The council will also ask whether they will be permitted to scrutinise the Academy's work.
Academies are independent but publicly funded, no-fees, all-ability schools.
The matter will be discussed by members of Staffordshire County Council at a meeting of the full council tomorrow.
No-one from Staffordshire County Council was available for comment.
