School of football

The South East Region plays host to five Schools of Football across three separate local authorities.

 

Inveralmond High School in West Lothian is the latest addition to this excellent programme.

 

Added to Gracemount HS, Craigroyston HS, Forrester/St Augustines HS’s in Edinburgh and Newbattle HS in Midlothian, these schools account for five from twenty two schools across Scotland that are participating in the programme. 

The Scottish FA Schools of Football are about more than just playing ability, they aim to mould better citizens and develop social and academic abilities through the vehicle of football.

As part of the programme, pupils follow an enhanced timetable which includes a period of football activity every day.

Football is used as a tool to motivate the pupils, enhance their social skills such as communication, listening and behaviour with the programme’s success being evaluated through factors such as school attendance and academic improvement.

 

The pupils are coached by Scottish FA Player and Coach Development Officer Chris Smith and his team.

Due to the fact that theplayers are involved in daily sessions for the first two years of their school life, they must possess a reasonable playing ability to cope with the demands however their selection is based on much more.

 

Their social circumstances, academic performance and attendance are all important indicators in deciding whether or not they are appropriate for the programme.

 

Scottish FA coaches lead the selection and football aspects, but the programme is very much a partnership with local authority education departments, school teachers, active schools co-ordinators and football development officers.

Throughout theprogramme, players have the opportunity to be identified by senior clubs involved in the Scottish FA Youth Initiative programme.

The Scottish FA Schools of Football are supported by the Scottish Government's CashBack for Communities initiative which puts criminals' ill-gotten gains to a good use with the Scottish FA being one of four national CashBack sports partners of the Scottish Government.

For further information on this programme in the South East region, contact Chris Smith on chris.smith@scottishfa.co.uk or 07841 569 806.