From September 2026 Ackworth School will partner with Paris Saint-Germain Academy England to launch a new elite football programme for both boys and girls. The initiative will offer students from Year 10 upwards the chance to combine world-class football coaching with a carefully tailored academic curriculum.
The new partnership builds on the continued success of the Ackworth Football Academy, which under the leadership of Director of Football John McDermott and Assistant Director of Football Gary Childs, has already established a strong reputation across the region. Reflecting on the announcement, McDermott said:
“Partnering with Paris Saint-Germain Academy England is a huge step forward for our football provision at Ackworth. This collaboration will give our players access to world-class coaching methods and pathways, while ensuring that their education remains at the heart of everything we do.”
Training will follow the renowned PSG methodology, designed to develop technical ability, tactical awareness, and physical excellence in a professional environment. Students will also benefit from extensive competitive opportunities, with the academy competing in prestigious ISFA and ESFA competitions, as well as regular fixtures against professional academies. These matches will not only challenge and inspire our players but also provide a vital platform to showcase their talents to scouts and clubs at the highest levels.
Students enrolling in the academy will benefit from high levels of contact time per week with our school-based UEFA A licenced Directors of Football. This will comprise of regular individual and group skills coaching sessions, regular football matches for both the Academy (and for the school when possible), and supervised strength and conditioning training.
In addition to the Academy’s home being at a £1.2m 3G pitch ten minutes from the school, students will have access to five full-sized pitches, a multi-use games pitch and an indoor training area. Students enrolled in the football academy can also take full advantage of the heated indoor swimming pool and our purpose-built fitness suite.
Students in Years 10 and 11 follow a core curriculum, including GCSEs or a Pre A-Level course, while Sixth Form pupils can choose between traditional A-Levels or the BTEC Extended National Diploma in Sport, a vocational qualification equivalent to three A-Levels. This structure ensures that every student-athlete has the opportunity to excel both on the pitch and in the classroom.
The school community has warmly welcomed this partnership as a landmark opportunity for both current and future students. Head Martyn Beer commented:
“This is an incredibly exciting development for Ackworth School. Working with such a prestigious international football academy allows us to broaden opportunities for our pupils, combining academic excellence with elite sporting performance. We are proud to be part of this partnership with Paris St Germain to develop our students’ skill, performance and character.”
For more information about joining Ackworth School and the Football Academy, please visit www.ackworthschool.com/sports/football or contact us on admissions@ackworthschool.com.
