What makes an outstanding independent school football academy?
Independent schools having football programmes linked to professional clubs is not a new idea. Back in 2016, a Premier League appointed Education Ombudsman highlighted the partnership that I had helped to build between Langley School and Norwich City Football Club as ‘industry leading’ and ‘an area of excellent practice’.
With the scheduled introduction of VAT on school fees from January 2025 and with schools seeking to broaden and diversify their appeal, there is a significant growth in the number of schools launching elite football programmes as part of their offering, even in schools where football has not been one of their traditional sports.
With the number of schools with football programmes on the rise, what are the things you should be looking for when searching for independent school with a football academy?
- High-Quality Coaching: Independent schools often have experienced UEFA ‘A’ and ‘B’ licenced coaches who provide specialised training tailored to individual player’s needs. This focused attention can lead to significant skill development. Look for a blend of coaches that includes former players but also those who are career coaches with experience of nurturing young players.
2. Girls’ football – Women’s football is the biggest growth area in football at present, both in the UK and globally – just look at the success and profile of the Lionesses and the Women’s Super League in England, with teams playing in the major stadiums to sold out crowds and games being shown on mainstream TV at peak times. A sign of a good school programme is where they have already embraced this and have girls’ teams and individual success stories that they celebrate.
- Excellent facilities: Independent schools often have better-funded sports programmes than state schools, leading to superior facilities such as well-maintained pitches and training areas, gyms, physiotherapy suites and specialist equipment such as GPS tracking and video capture and analysis. These facilities can enhance training experiences and contribute to overall player development.
- Academic Support: All good independent schools place a strong emphasis on academics alongside football. Football academies in these schools provide academic support, such as tutoring and catch-up sessions, to help young players balance their studies with their sporting commitments. In the best cases, I have seen a ‘Coach Carter’ philosophy applied, where academic study and sport are connected.
- Exposure and Networking: The best school football academies have connections with professional clubs and scouts. This can provide opportunities for talented players to showcase their skills in front of influential people in the football community, potentially leading to club trials and/or opportunities to seek scholarships in the USA. In addition, top academies have links with local clubs so players can also take part in weekend fixtures outside of school. This is especially important for those who board and are away from home. It also gives a route into adult football for boys and girls aged 16-18, providing the next step on the football journey.
- Competitive Environment: Independent school football academies compete against other high-level teams, both locally and nationally, entering (and winning!) ISFA and ESFA competitions. This competitive environment can help players improve their skills and develop a strong competitive mindset.
- Holistic Development: Independent schools typically focus on the holistic development of their students, including character building, leadership skills, and teamwork. Football academies within these schools incorporate these values into their programmes, aiming to develop well-rounded individuals both on and off the field. As one professional club told me ‘Better learners make better footballers and better people’.
- Career Pathways: For talented players, independent school football academies can serve as a pathway to professional football careers, especially for those who have lived and played overseas and may not have previously been scouted. The combination of high-quality coaching, competitive opportunities, and academic support can help players fulfil their potential and pursue opportunities in professional football. Statistically, very few will make it as a full-time professional player, so look for links with universities such UCFB and UA92, which offer career paths in football including coaching, sports law and the media.
- Personalised Provision: With smaller class sizes and focused coaching staff, independent school football academies can offer more personalised attention to each player. Coaches can identify strengths and weaknesses more effectively and provide targeted support to help players improve. There is an optimum number of players for any programme, so beware of very small or big programmes – you want the school to have a team in each age group and your child to feel that making that team is a realistic aspiration.
Andrew Walker Education represents and recruits for three UK schools with outstanding football academies that have all the features I have described – Culford School in Suffolk, Langley School in Norfolk and Myddelton College in North Wales.
As someone with significant experience and understanding of this growing sector, please click here to get in touch if you would like to find out more.