Friday 20 April 2012

Are football club sponsored schools the next grammar schools?


Everton football club, along with West Ham and possibly Tottenham Hotspurs will each launch free school/academies in response to an invitation from Michael Gove, education secretary to all Premier League clubs to consider getting involved in setting up free schools or academy.  The aim is to give career options to children who might not be aiming at university. It aims to inspire and provide opportunities for local children.

Although the schools will be set up by and run by a football club, the schools will offer a full education programme- its aim will not be to provide footballers for the club but rather opportunities for students. 

However there has been criticism surrounding the projects because footballing schools have not always had the best academic records. For example Whitefield school in Cricklewood, north London, home to the first independent football academy, for instance, has achieved disappointing exam results. Just 49% of pupils gained five A*-C.  Thus Chris McGovern, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education said that football clubs must be cautious about using their cached to attract pupils- the reality of education means working hard and that’s what students need to understand.

(News Review)

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