Shireland听Collegiate Academy in听Smethwick听and听Aston Villa听Foundation have announced a partnership to deliver a specialist football programme for the Academy鈥檚 Sixth Form students.听听
The initiative responds to growing student interest in sports-focused learning by听providing听the opportunity to pursue their passion for sport alongside their academic studies听and explore broader career options.听听
Participants will听benefit听from professional coaching, structured training sessions, opportunities to play in competitive fixtures, and support in areas such as sports science,听nutrition听and personal development.听听
Additional听opportunities include working towards a sports leadership qualification and taking part in the EFL CEFA, and听the听Birmingham County FA Wednesday College League. While studying A level and vocational courses at听Shireland听Sixth Form, students can play regular midweek football matches in a structured and supportive environment.听
The league is for students aged 16-19 in the Birmingham area of the West Midlands and is run locally by the Birmingham County FA (BCFA) as part of the English Football League鈥檚 Community and Education听(CEFA)听programme. The competition gives students the chance to develop their football skills, stay active, and enjoy competitive matches alongside their studies. It provides a pathway for non-elite players to improve and progress in football.听听
Ben Brogan, Head of Sixth Form at听Shireland听Collegiate Academy, said:听鈥淲e are proud to be partnering with Aston Villa Foundation to offer this programme, which aims to address the drop-off in sport at post-16.听It also gives听students the听opportunity听to continue playing while pursuing a top-quality education.听Our aim is to听develop听well-rounded听young听people with听the skills,听knowledge听and听confidence to听succeed in听whatever path they听choose.听听
鈥淲e also want our听students,听and听the听wider community,听to have听a platform听to听stay active,听build character, and achieve. At听Shireland, we听instil听the values of听commitment, honesty听and opportunity听for all, and the听team at听Villa听have听delivered all of this and听more.听I鈥檓听genuinely听excited听about what听this partnership听will unlock听for our students, on and听off the听pitch.鈥澨�听
Shireland Sixth Form boasts a vibrant and inclusive learning community committed to academic excellence and personal development. Offering a wide range of A level, vocational and Level 2 courses, it provides students with tailored pathways to higher education, apprenticeships and employment. Rated outstanding by Ofsted in 2024, the Sixth Form is known for its supportive environment, innovative programmes and enrichment opportunities, equipping learners with the skills, knowledge and confidence to succeed both in and beyond the classroom. 听
Andrew Coley, Further & Higher Education Manager at the Aston Villa Foundation听said:听鈥淲e at the Aston Villa Foundation are pleased to welcome 91全能 as a partner to our growing Football and Education provision.听听
“Alongside coaching delivered by our dedicated coaches, the education package offered by Shireland opens doors to a wide range of A level, vocational and Level 2 courses, to develop the next generation of workers in sport, following the Foundation鈥檚 Golden Thread of Opportunity.鈥�听
The听Foundation is a registered charity delivering the community and outreach work of听Aston Villa听Football听Club. Working with a听wide听range of education providers and young people,听the Foundation听offers听opportunities to develop skills,听confidence听and personal听growth. Its Education and Employment strand focuses on classroom and community-based learning, training and qualifications, supporting long-term prospects and potential.听听
The partnership between Shireland听Sixth Form and听the听Foundation听represents听a shared commitment to innovation in post-16 education. By combining academic excellence with expert sporting provision, both institutions aim to inspire students, broaden听opportunities听and create experiences that will leave a lasting impact on their education and听future prospects.听
Applications for听Year听12 at Shireland听Sixth Form starting September 2026 are now open through听Applicaa, the Academy鈥檚 new online admissions system, where students can apply and track their progress in real time.听听
To find out more or apply, visit听.听听
