In March 2020 our school was selected by the Scottish Football Association to launch a new school of football initiative in partnership with the SFA and Alloa Athletic Football club. The number of schools nationally involved in the School of Football programme was significantly reduced last year, with ourselves being one of only two schools in the central region being offered a place in this revamped model. The programme is funded by Cashback for Communities and is focused on establishing partnership links between Lornshill Academy, Alloa Athletic Football club and the SFA that will improve experiences and outcomes for our young people.

The programme was launched in October 2020 and currently we have 55 young people involved, experiencing up to 4 sessions a week. Predominantly these are practical based and are delivered by Max Nicholson, a qualified youth development football coach from Alloa Athletic FC. All young people have been provided with full kit and sessions take place on the Lornshill astroturf.

We currently have three distinct groups: S1 Boys, S2 Boys and S1/2 Girls. Due to timetabling constraints as pupils make subject choices for S3, the programme is only delivered to S1 & S2. There are however a significant number of additional opportunities such as coaching qualifications that our young people will be afforded as they move through S3 and into senior phase.

Primarily the aims of the programme are to develop pupils' confidence, their sense of personal responsibility and aspiration to fulfil their potential in all that they do. Whilst undoubtedly they will improve their technical and tactical abilities within football, the positive impact of being part of this programme will hopefully go beyond football performance and enhance their development as a young person.

SOF Pupil Contract

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