Earlscliffe, the Folkestone-based sixth form college for international students, has announced the launch of the Earlscliffe Football Academy, a full-time pathway delivered in partnership with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.
The programme opens to students for entry in September 2026, combining coaching from a dedicated Tottenham Hotspur football development coach with a full UK academic curriculum of A-levels or GCSEs.
The Football Academy will be open for students aged 15 to 19 of all abilities and to both girls and boys, with full sports scholarships available. It has been designed for international families who want their child to pursue serious football development without compromising on academic qualifications or university progression, a combination that has historically been difficult for ambitious young athletes to access through traditional school or club structures.
The partnership is built on substance with a full-time Spurs football development coach on site and embedded within the school’s daily timetable. The coaching syllabus is built around Tottenham Hotspur’s own player development model and is designed to produce players who are technically proficient, tactically intelligent and mentally resilient.
Students attending the academy will be given daily coaching sessions integrated around the full academic day, including technical, tactical and analysis sessions, and will take part in competitive fixtures. They will experience authentic club immersion, including matchday experiences and visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Students will also benefit from an integrated strength and conditioning programme, individual development targets and termly performance reviews.
Alongside this, students will gain full academic qualifications (GCSEs or A-levels) plus the Pearson Extended Certificate in Sport, taught by Earlscliffe’s specialist teaching team in small class sizes, plus dedicated support for those targeting US university scholarships, including SAT preparation and athletic profile guidance.
Said Dr Nicola Robinson, Headteacher at Earlscliffe: “Agents and counsellors advising football-playing students and their families now have a credible, structured alternative to club academies or generic sports schools, where students can keep open every academic and university door, including pathways into US universities whilst training inside a Premier League club’s coaching environment. All our students receive excellent pastoral care from highly experienced staff with family-style boarding and excellent facilities. We look forward to welcoming our first cohort this September.”
