Albion Schoolboys Record Excellent Gcse Results

Brighton & Hove Albion's academy schoolboys have again recorded some excellent GCSE results this past year.

From the 2016/17 intake, 80% achieved five or more GCSEs at A*-C grade, including English and Maths, while 17% of all grades were A or A* and 41% were B or above (these are based on the old grading system prior to the Government’s new grading system coming in fully from this academic year).

The under-15 and under-16 schoolboys spend every Tuesday and Thursday at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre, and three-and-a-half hours of each of those days is spent on ‘compensatory education’ – thereby ensuring the players do not fall behind their fellow classmates when they return to their respective schools.

This is the third year running the figures have continued to impress, much to the delight of the club’s education, welfare and player services manager, Sue Parris.

She said, “The results are again very pleasing and proof that our way of educating and supporting the schoolboys is working very well.

“We’re the only club using the hybrid system in this bespoke way, enabling the boys to gain the most from our qualified, curriculum specialist teachers, rather than working in big groups or on their own, and the boys are certainly reaping the benefits.

“Prior to starting their day release programme with us, we visit every boy in their own school environment to get a better gauge and understanding of their current levels of progress and then, when they come to us, our 15 subject teachers are on hand to work with them, and in contact with each boy’s respective subject teacher at their school, to ensure they don’t fall behind on their studies and, in many cases raising their subject grades.

“Some clubs will take the players out of their schools and educate them full-time, but we feel our own system works well. We’re keen to leave the boys at their school, as it’s important they still lead normal lives outside of football too with their friends and family close by. We feel that’s much better in the long run for their welfare and development.”

Parris also believes that the players’ study periods at the club can benefit them once they get to lace up their boots.

“Placing such importance on education and facilitating the boys’ learning in this way enhances their thinking skills, their analytical and evaluative approach, and their problem-solving, and all these traits are essential in playing top-level football.

“We feel the education the players receive at the club will have long-term benefits, both on and off the pitch.”