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Ackworth School
Ackworth School
Rooted in Quaker values of integrity, equality, and community since 1779, Ackworth School occupies 220 acres of Yorkshire parkland near Pontefract. From September 2026 the school becomes the hand-picked home to Paris Saint-Germain Academy England, one of only a handful worldwide, building on a previous partnership with Harrogate Town AFC. Small classes, genuine warmth, and a belief that every child matters define daily life here; the football programme simply adds a world-class development pathway.
Ackworth is the ideal choice for the serious footballer who is looking for exposure to professional opportunities and development whilst pursuing a high-quality education. With entry from Year 7 (age 11), it offers one of the earliest specialist football pathways in the independent sector. Players benefit from world-renowned coaching methodology, UEFA A Licensed staff, and outstanding facilities including a £1.3m 3G AstroTurf stadium. The school's Quaker values of community, integrity, and personal development underpin everything, creating well-rounded students and outstanding footballers.
Coaching & Development
Ackworth offers an elite football development programme in partnership with PSG Academy England, combining professional coaching with the school's unique Quaker values of support and encouragement. Sessions are delivered daily by three UEFA A Licensed coaches with professional football backgrounds and run throughout the week, with competitive fixtures against leading independent schools and academy sides.
The programme caters for all abilities from Year 7 upwards, with a clear performance pathway for the most advanced players. The £1.3m 3G AstroTurf stadium provides year-round, all-weather training, one of the finest school football facilities in the North of England, complemented by additional grass pitches and a dedicated strength and conditioning suite.
The PSG Academy Partnership
From September 2026, Ackworth School becomes the hand-picked home to PSG Academy England, one of only a handful of such partnerships worldwide, building on a previous partnership with Harrogate Town AFC. Students access world-renowned training methodologies, benefiting from the same coaching philosophies that have shaped some of football's greatest talents.
The coaches behind the programme
John McDermott
John McDermott serves as Director of Football at Ackworth School. He holds a UEFA Category A licence, the highest practical coaching qualification offered by the Football Association. He most recently served as Assistant Manager at National League North side Buxton. As a player, John was a right-back from 1987 to 2007, spending his entire 20-year playing career at Grimsby Town. He holds the club's all-time appearance record, having played 647 league games (754 games overall) for the Mariners, and is one of only 17 players in the history of English football to play more than 600 Football League matches for a single club. In 2009, John was awarded the annual PFA Merit Award in recognition of his record-breaking career, joining an elite group that includes the likes of Sir Bobby Charlton, Pelé, Sir Alex Ferguson, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Emma Hayes and Sir Gareth Southgate.
Gary Childs
Gary Childs brings extensive experience from professional football to the Ackworth programme. He supports John McDermott in delivering the academy curriculum and ensuring every player receives high-quality, individualised coaching throughout their development journey.
Lee Elam
Lee Elam brings extensive experience from both the professional game and elite youth development. His playing career included spells at Yeovil Town, Exeter City, Morecambe, Crawley Town and Halifax Town, before eight years as Lead Academy Coach at Bradford City Academy. He has also managed at senior level and represented England Veterans, winning the Seniors World Cup.
Track record
Ackworth, West Yorkshire (North England)
Fees
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