This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr7e38071pxo

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
School 'thriving' after link-up with PSG Bletchley school 'thriving' after link-up with Paris St-Germain
(3 days later)
Matthew, 16, says the academy is helping him become a football coachMatthew, 16, says the academy is helping him become a football coach
A head teacher says a partnership with one of Europe's leading football clubs has inspired her pupils academically as well as in sport.A head teacher says a partnership with one of Europe's leading football clubs has inspired her pupils academically as well as in sport.
Lord Grey Academy in Bletchley, near Milton Keynes, teamed up with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) two years ago to create Lord Grey MK Football Academy.Lord Grey Academy in Bletchley, near Milton Keynes, teamed up with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) two years ago to create Lord Grey MK Football Academy.
It gives talented youngsters access to the French Ligue 1 club's latest training methods and techniques (billed as "the Parisian way") for 10 hours a week, while continuing to give them an academic education.It gives talented youngsters access to the French Ligue 1 club's latest training methods and techniques (billed as "the Parisian way") for 10 hours a week, while continuing to give them an academic education.
The school's principal, Samantha Satyanadhan, said she had been looking for something transformational in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.The school's principal, Samantha Satyanadhan, said she had been looking for something transformational in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
"Post-Covid, I could see young people weren't engaging in sport - they were staying inside gaming," she said."Post-Covid, I could see young people weren't engaging in sport - they were staying inside gaming," she said.
"I received an email from PSG and thought it was spam, but then they chased me again a few weeks later saying they wanted to work with us."I received an email from PSG and thought it was spam, but then they chased me again a few weeks later saying they wanted to work with us.
"Football gives our children the chance to be the best version of themselves in football and in the academic results."Football gives our children the chance to be the best version of themselves in football and in the academic results.
"Two years later we are here and thriving.""Two years later we are here and thriving."
PSG England's Alex Harrop said their programme focused on technical ability and game set-upPSG England's Alex Harrop said their programme focused on technical ability and game set-up
Matthew, 16, said the academy had offered him a chance to develop his skills.Matthew, 16, said the academy had offered him a chance to develop his skills.
"It's good to learn different cultures and I enjoy the football," he said."It's good to learn different cultures and I enjoy the football," he said.
"It's all about coaching outside school for me. That's what I want to do. I wouldn't have got the same opportunity anywhere else.""It's all about coaching outside school for me. That's what I want to do. I wouldn't have got the same opportunity anywhere else."
Shadrach, 18, is studying for his A Levels and said joining the academy had been a great experience.Shadrach, 18, is studying for his A Levels and said joining the academy had been a great experience.
"I'm buzzing," he said. "I love football and this is a great opportunity. I've learnt a lot and it's taught me how to communicate.""I'm buzzing," he said. "I love football and this is a great opportunity. I've learnt a lot and it's taught me how to communicate."
There are currently 37 players in the sixth form academy, and a girls' academy for Under 12s and Under 14s has just started with 19 players.There are currently 37 players in the sixth form academy, and a girls' academy for Under 12s and Under 14s has just started with 19 players.
The extra coaching comes at no extra cost to children, as it is funded by PSG.The extra coaching comes at no extra cost to children, as it is funded by PSG.
Samantha Satyanadhan, school principal, said the partnership with PSG had given students huge confidenceSamantha Satyanadhan, school principal, said the partnership with PSG had given students huge confidence
Twelve academies have been set up in schools across the UK by the French Champions League giant, which also runs holiday camps.Twelve academies have been set up in schools across the UK by the French Champions League giant, which also runs holiday camps.
PSG sends technical directors every year and there are regular meetings with the team in Paris to try to ensure sessions delivered in the UK match the standards in France.PSG sends technical directors every year and there are regular meetings with the team in Paris to try to ensure sessions delivered in the UK match the standards in France.
Students continue to study alongside their football training, which the school said ensured "they are well-prepared for life both on and off the pitch".Students continue to study alongside their football training, which the school said ensured "they are well-prepared for life both on and off the pitch".
"Football academies tend to focus on talent-spotting, and careers in football," said Alex Harrop, director of PSG England."Football academies tend to focus on talent-spotting, and careers in football," said Alex Harrop, director of PSG England.
"Ours are educationally based and about a career in sport and everyone can participate."Ours are educationally based and about a career in sport and everyone can participate.
"Our session plans and methodology come from Paris. We focus on technical ability and game set-up, whereas traditionally in the UK training can be just in small groups or one-to-ones."Our session plans and methodology come from Paris. We focus on technical ability and game set-up, whereas traditionally in the UK training can be just in small groups or one-to-ones.
"We look for schools and colleges with like-minded attitudes. We want students giving back to the local community."We look for schools and colleges with like-minded attitudes. We want students giving back to the local community.
"For instance, some of these teenagers will go into coaching.""For instance, some of these teenagers will go into coaching."
Pupils continue their normal academic work, but there are also classroom sessions about footballPupils continue their normal academic work, but there are also classroom sessions about football
Get in touch Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Do you have a story suggestion for Beds, Herts & Bucks?
Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, external, Instagram, external and X, external.