St Gregory's Football Academy

Introducing St Gregory’s School Football Academy

The St Gregory's Football Academy is offered to a limited number of girls and boys in Year 7. In order to secure a place in the Academy, interested students are invited to take part in a Football Academy trial which takes place during Term 6, before they join us in September. 

Any students who successfuly secure a place in the St Gregory’s Football Academy will attend a weekly session which takes place during one of their timetabled PE/Games lessons.

Students also benefit from excellent on-site facilities. Opened in 2018, our 3G playing surface ensures football throughout the year, while the St Gregory’s Sports Hall, opened in 2021, provides modern changing facilities and is conveniently located alongside the 3G pitch. 

Latest  Academy Highlights

Football at St Gregory's extends far beyond weekly coaching sessions. Students benefit from opportunities to compete, develop their skills and enjoy memorable football experiences throughout their time at the school.

Through competitive fixtures, specialist coaching and enrichment opportunities such as these, students are encouraged to develop both as footballers and as young people.

What the Football Academy offers

Football Academy coaching focuses on the development of the individual player. Students are exposed to a vibrant football environment which aims to promote both the skill and technical ability of the players in a range of different game scenarios including ball manipulation, distribution, movement on and off the ball, decision making, phases of play and game understanding.

In addition to the Football Academy programme, there are also a number of extra-curricular football sessions held at lunchtime and after school for all students. The school also enters teams into the very competitive local West Kent League, as well as county and national cup competitions.

How much does it cost?

Students who choose the Football Academy will be encouraged to purchase the Academy kit. We appreciate it is an expensive time of year so we have tried to reduce costs where possible. 

Why are there trials?

To ensure sessions are not overcrowded, and that students receive the best coaching experience, there are a limited number of spaces available in the Football Academy. Trials for the Football Academy take place in Term 6 before students join us in Year 7 and information is sent to parents before the end of term. If your child is unsuccessful, they will still have a number of opportunities to participate and play football at St Gregory’s.

Experiencing the professional game

As part of the Football Academy, students will have the opportunity to experience two significant football-based tours. In Year 8, students partake in a European football tour, where they experience coaching from a professional club and what it would be like to be a professional player.

Recent trips have been to FC Porto, Real Madrid and Manchester City where students enjoyed training sessions with club coaches, competitive matches against local players, as well as a first team match and cultural visits.

In Years 11 and 12, students have the opportunity to travel to New York and play in the New York City Cup. This allows students to compete against teams from around the world while representing St Gregory's on an international stage and experiencing one of the world's most iconic cities.

St Gregory's U17s - New York City Cup Super Elite Champions 2025 - find out more about this achievement 

Proud of our success - Student Pathways and Progressions

 

Year 10 student Finley helped Kent secure a historic 3-1 victory over Hertfordshire in the County Cup Final in June 2026. Representing his county is a fantastic achievement and an example of a St Gregory's student pursuing their footballing journey beyond school.

Many students have used their football experiences at St Gregory's as part of their wider footballing journey.

Students have been selected to represent the West Kent Schools' District Football Association, while others have played for clubs including Arsenal FC, Crystal Palace FC, Fulham FC, Millwall FC, Gillingham FC, Charlton Athletic FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC. We have also had students selected to represent the England National Team. 

We are proud to celebrate the achievements of our students both within and beyond school, recognising the commitment, dedication and passion they bring to the game. Whether representing the school, their district, their county or a club side, our students continue to demonstrate the values of teamwork, perseverance and excellence. These achievements reflect the breadth of opportunities available to young footballers throughout their time at St Gregory's.

Success recognised locally and internationally

We are proud of the development of our school football teams and, over the years, St Gregory’s has enjoyed a wide range of success in both girls’ and boys’ football including Cup triumphs. Since 2014, St Gregory’s Football Academy has become extremely successful, with local and international recognition for the programme and teams regularly becoming West Kent champions.

Deputy Headteacher, Mr Bradbury, has spoken at conferences in the USA to share the success of the Academy.