PGA Education Lead in London

Job Purpose

Planning and supporting the education programme, the educational progress of the Academy players and delivering education provision to equip players for their lives beyond football, whilst ensuring compliance with relevant stakeholders and governing bodies. Lead and quality‑assure the Academy Education Programme across the PGA, ensuring every player receives a personalised, high-quality academic support offer, developed in partnership with the player and their parents/carers, and aligned effectively with the football programme.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate and take a lead in supporting the delivery of the education programme and players' progress, ensuring compliance with the Professional Games Academy Programme.
• This role requires a mixture of teaching and working with providers.
• Create and sustain a safe, inclusive and aspirational education environment that supports individual ambition, manages academic pressure effectively, and meets all FA PGA Licence and safeguarding requirements.
• Acting as the primary point of contact with all academic providers.
• Maintaining strong communication channels around progress, concerns and expectations.
• Lead on all coordination and education provision for players on the U16s day release programme.
• Be available to students and/or to their parents for education‑related purposes outside of the teaching day when required or requested to do so under reasonable terms.
• Contribute to the interdisciplinary player review process and produce educational reports (EIDPS) that support the Player/Parent reviews (for all players in our Academy).
• Liaise with the players’ schools and other stakeholders to support players' transition through the phases.
• Liaise with, maintain, and develop partnerships with educational establishments.
• Profile and support players in the relevant age bands prior to them leaving full‑time education to evaluate and help develop their holistic potential.
• Support the provision of an after‑care service for all players not retained or offered contracts.
• Maintain effective links with various National bodies, both within and outside football, who have responsibility for education.
• Create a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and is developmentally appropriate to the maturity and interests of all students.
• Take necessary and reasonable precautions to assure safety in the classroom for all students.
• Support the Academy Operations Manager with the creation of practices, policies, and procedures to ensure requirements are met to the highest standard, along with Academy objectives.
• Maintain an accurate record of players education programmes inclusive of Education and grade tracking.
• Support the Player Care Manager on the Academy’s wider Player Care strategy and activities.
• Support the Academy Operations Manager with other strategically Academy related projects.
• Coordination and delivery of the Diploma in Sporting Excellence programme, including planning and maintaining a seasonal calendar of workshops in collaboration with our Player Care Manager.
• Schedule workshops, ensuring timely submissions and engagement of players with course tasks.
• Flag and work with the wider MDT to support players who may fall behind in their educational studies.
• Support players to develop study skills such as time management and note taking.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
• Act in accordance with the organisation’s safeguarding policies and procedures at all times.
• Be alert to signs of abuse, neglect, or safeguarding concerns and report these appropriately.
• Maintain professional boundaries and act as a positive role model when working with or around children.
• Attend safeguarding training as required and keep knowledge up to date.

Person Specification

• Qualified Teacher Status.
• Understanding the demands of elite youth sport, particularly women’s football.
• Familiarity with FA education and dual‑career frameworks.
• Current and relevant experience in the education system and behaviour management.
• Experience of providing advice to parents and players about which education pathway is most suitable at post 16 study.
• An outstanding classroom practitioner who can inspire staff and students/players.
• Experience in supporting players with GCSE, BTEC and A-Level in collaboration with education providers.
• Teaching experience at secondary or higher education or equivalent.
• Experience in delivering the BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Sport.
• Experience in delivering in a non‑traditional education establishment.
• Experience in delivering remote teaching using suitable software systems.
• Understanding of the principles and practices of assessment.
• Experience coordinating DiSE or similar programmes.

• Thinks ahead, generates innovative ideas.
• Values & respects others, builds relationships, collaborates.
• Gets things done, delivers to highest of standards, takes responsibility.
• Approachable person with ability to deal with day to day issues on own initiative.
• Effective time management and planning skills.
• Good attention to detail employing thorough working practices.
• Driven by helping young people succeed academically and personally.
• Comfortable working flexibly around the football and education calendars.
• Able to navigate shifting priorities, pressures and periods of intensity (e.g., exams).

Safeguarding & Recruitment Statement

Safeguarding is fundamental to the success in all that we do. The Club follows a Safer Recruitment process for all roles. Successful candidates are to be reminded they would be subject to proportionate background, DBS and reference checks as required for this role. We welcome applications from anyone regardless of age, disability, gender, race, or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.