Story added: 16th November 2020
Students in Breckland will be able to combine their passion for football with education, when a new course debuts at Thetford Academy next year.
The two-year course, created in partnership with Norwich City FC’s Community Sports Foundation (CSF), is for Year 12 and 13 students who have an aspiration to work in the sports industry.
Alongside an intensive football training and fixture programme, students will study for a Cambridge National Extended Diploma in Sport, which is the equivalent of three A-Levels.
The teaching delivery, led by Thetford Academy tutors, will be angled to include a football theme, with students studying units such as such as Anatomy & Physiology, Sports Coaching and Sports Psychology.
The football element of the programme will be led by CSF, whose coaching team includes former Canaries Adam Drury, Simon Lappin, and Ryan Jarvis.
Students will represent Thetford Academy, with selected students also getting to pull on the famous yellow and green for Norwich City CSF against equivalent sides from the likes of Newcastle United, Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur.
The course follows similar provisions at East Norfolk Sixth Form College in Gorleston, and the Foundation’s own courses in Norwich. Around 200 boys and girls are currently enrolled in the courses.
To date, numerous students from the Football & Education programmes have gone on to excel with further studies in a wide range of courses at universities throughout the UK and overseas.
Many have also progressed into semi-professional football, had opportunities at professional clubs, and gained overseas scholarships in the USA.
Head of Curriculum Stevie Bramble said:
“After the success of our Norwich and East Norfolk programmes we were keen to add a third offer in the west area of Norfolk. The partnership with Thetford Academy will allow more students to access a blend of first-class education alongside an outstanding football provision.”
Helen Thomas-Jones, Thetford Academy’s Assistant Principal (Sixth Form), said:
“Thetford Academy 6th Form and PE department, are really excited to be working in partnership with such a well established organisation as the Community Sports Foundation. We aim to provide as many opportunities as other centres across the region. The children of Thetford and surrounding areas deserve a chance like this. It’s a great thing for the town and the academy.”
To find out more about the Thetford Academy Football & Education programme, or to download a prospectus, click here. Alternatively, call 01603 761122 or contact us.
"The children of Thetford and surrounding areas deserve a chance like this. It’s a great thing for the town and the academy"
Helen Thomas-Jones
Assistant Principal (Sixth Form), Thetford Academy
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