16 yo boy football academy offer

[apwilson1980]

Hi all, would appreciate a bit of advice!

I'm not from the UK and very non-sporty but have two ds who are. Oldest, just now doing GCSEs, has been offered places at football academies and I'm struggling to help him make a decision. He had a school selected for A-levels, is expected to do decently on his GCSEs (7-8s mostly) and we had a plan all in place for his sixth form and now this has thrown it all up in the air...

One of the academies works with another local high school but it's unclear to me whether players have teh same exact educational experience as other students there (i.e. same options for A-levels, same staff, etc.). The other academy uses a group called 'SCL Education' that seems to be sort of tutors or something?? Looking at their website, it doesn't seem that they offer A-levels, just BTECs in sports, etc. DS really would love to be involved in football every day and he is very motivated, but I'm worried we'd be turning down a quality sixth form and more Uni/career options in order to take up a slim chance at a football career.

Anyone have experience with entering an academy at this age? Is this unusual to begin at 16? Are the education arrangements for players still quite good?

can you contact the academies and ask what their students do after finishing. Do they go to uni to study sports related courses, or join football teams? Or do they do something different altogether?

Is it a cat 1 academy? They are improving their academic offerings, but will still be focused on developing your son as a footballer first, and more broadly for a career in the industry. Beyond that, you would need to speak to the academy on what their academic offering is - some are genuinely committed, others it's just lip service.

It doesn't mean he wouldn't be able to go to uni if he gets released.

Thanks - I've sent an email so hoping I'll get some answers to these kinds of questions.

It's not a Category 1 academy from what I can see, but struggling to see what category these are (probably not a good sign!)

I used to teach at an Independent school in Birmingham and a local football academy used to pay one child's school fees. They attended school but went to the football academy I think it was 2 x 1/2 a day each week. I taught one of the boys but he did not miss my lessons but I know if he missed a lesson he had to catch work up. He took GCSE's then went to football academy full time at 16. A very bright and grounded boy too. I'd have liked him to study A levels.

My friend was at a football academy that was connected to a local high school for a levels. He did very well and ended up going to UCL as he accepted he wasn't good enough to be in the Premier League and didn't fancy trying to eke out a career in the lower divisions. A person from the academy actually went with him to the school to discuss his schedule as the timetable couldn't accommodate his practices and the a levels he wanted, and it was sorted out somehow. He did say he was unusual among his group though in thinking that a football career might not pan out.

I'd be concerned that he hasn't been picked up before 16 tbh

Thanks, all, that's helpful -- I think it sounds like each situation is quite difference and individual so hopefully I'll get some answers from people at these particular academies. Yes, I think as he hasn't been picked up at a younger age and, just given the statistics overall, we better not put all our eggs in one basket.