SPORT – DESA | Dereham 6 Form College

Created in 2013, Dereham Education and Soccer Academy (DESA) is thriving with footballers who have been given the opportunity to study a BTEC alonside an optional A Level or GCSE retake. We follow the BTEC Nationals Sports Coaching and Develoment specification. Students are encouraged and supported with gaining additional vocational qualifications, incluidng the FA Level 1 and 2 Coaching qualifications

“Attending the DESA program was the best decision I have made with my football. The coaches helped me with so many challenges I had in the classroom, training ground and on the pitch. I was fortunate to have made great friends for life through DESA. The learning environment is one I can’t compare to any other because it helped me become a leader on and off the pitch and also helped me focus on the right path with achieving my goals.”

Mr Parke
Course Tutor and Coach

Mr Perry
Academy Manager

You will be based at Dereham Town Football Club and follow a bespoke timetable that includes 8 hours of football training delivered by UEFA qualified coaches and a weekly fixture programme competing in the top National Colleges League, FA Youth Cup, U18 Floodlit League and prestigious fixtures against professional academies. Progression to senior squads at the Football Club is seen as a realistic option with students having represented the first team on a regular basis.

The course is aimed at talented individuals who have the desire, ambition and focus on both education progression and/or employment in the football and sport industry. Examples of student destinations include professional footballer, teacher, physio, osteopath, accountant and entrepreneur. This course gives you the perfect foundation to progress on to Higher Education, a Sports Scholarship in America or employment in the sports industry. Our aim is to be a leading provider of education and football in the country and this was reflected in our quality review by Pearson: ‘The Sport BTEC program is outstanding in terms of quality resources available and the organisation of the course. Students were observed at the time of visit and it was clear how focused they were on their studies and how much they enjoyed the course. The administration of the PSA and documentation is an excellent example of BTEC provision and a credit to the Sixth Form.’ We are driven to provide lifelong learning experiences and opportunities through our provision and the standards that we set.

i