Education & Training

Southend United Community Foundation offers a wide range of inclusive education and training models which support progression at all levels.

Our Education department provides alternative learning opportunities for young people, including vocational and academic pathways.

Educational courses focus on reintegrating young people into learning or employment, whilst building their CVs and developing transferable key and life skills that will be vital across many of the career paths that the learners choose to take.

Regardless of current attainment levels, we operate an inclusive end-to-end education and training model offering entry-level programmes, Traineeships, Apprenticeships, Post-16 Education courses and even Degree level qualifications – we’re here to inspire people to achieve their potential.

If you’d like to be one in a million – contact us today.

Our BTEC Level 2 and Level 3 Sports Coaching and Development courses offer an excellent opportunity for both males and females, aged 16–19, to continue their education and develop as players in a professional, inspiring, inclusive, and unique environment.

Andy Edmunds
Head of Education

Football and Education- Level 2

BTEC Level 2 programme – Sports Industry Skills (Leading Children’s Sports Activities)

BTEC Level 2 Diplomas in Sports Industry Skills are intermediate qualifications for post-16 learners who want to specialise in a specific occupation, occupational area or technical role. They prepare learners for work or an Apprenticeship by giving them the opportunity to develop sector-specific knowledge, technical and practical skills, and to apply these skills in work-related environments.

The qualifications also provide progression to Level 3 qualifications. BTEC Level 2 Diplomas in Sports Industry Skills develop transferable workplace skills, such as good communication and the ability to work in a team, which employers have identified as essential for gaining employment in the sector and for progression once the learner is working. At the core of these qualifications is the concept of preparing young people for the working world. Through practical activities and occupationally fit-for-purpose assessments, learners will gain the skills and behaviours needed for sustainable employment.

OUR PROGRAMME:

The Football & Education Programme is a revolutionary course offering many benefits which include:
Gain a national recognised qualification whilst representing Southend United
Coached by UEFA qualified coaches
Train and play on our state of the art 3G Astroturf at Garon Park
Opportunities to progress into the Southend United Academy
Showcase games at the heart of The Roots Hall Stadium
Opportunity to gain valuable work experience at a professional football club
Player data; player reviews and targets; Strength and conditioning support; Diet & nutritional support; VEO (training and matchday analysis)

PREREQUISITES TO APPLY:

A minimum of 3 Level 4 Grades at GCSE (Maths and English are NOT mandatory) or A BTEC Level 1 in Sport / Sports related qualification.

Keen interest towards playing regular football.

Commitment to follow high standards and expectations in a professional environment.

For further information on the course please email [email protected]

ASSOCIATED COSTS: The only cost associated with the course is a compulsory £100 which pays for the Southend United training kit.

Football and Education- Level 3

COURSE SUMMARY

BTEC National qualifications in this sector provide a broad introduction that gives learners transferable knowledge and skills. These qualifications are for post-16 learners who want to specialise in a specific industry, occupation or occupational group. The qualifications give learners specialist knowledge and technical skills, enabling entry to an Apprenticeship or to other employment and progression to related higher-education courses. There are different variations or pathways of the Level 3 qualifications that we offer:

• BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Sport

• BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Sport

• BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Sport

• BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Sport

• BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sport

BTEC Level 3 in Sports Coaching and Development Diploma and Extended Diploma

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION CONTENT

Opportunity for a qualification, equivalent to three A-Levels
Up to 12 hours of education per week
3 training sessions per week
Competitive matches representing Southend United in a national league (CEFA)
Modules include Health, Wellbeing and Sport; Sports Coaching, Careers in Sport, Sports Development, Anatomy and Physiology
Assessed through weekly assignments across the two years.
An opportunity to continue to study for English and Maths GCSE.

OUR PROGRAMME

The Football & Education Programme is a revolutionary course offering many benefits which include:

Gain a national recognised qualification whilst representing Southend United
Coached by UEFA qualified coaches.
Train and play on our state of the art 3G Astroturf at Garon Park
Opportunities to progress into the Southend United Academy
Showcase games at the heart of The Roots Hall Stadium
Opportunity to gain valuable work experience at a professional football club.
Player data; player reviews and targets; Strength and conditioning support; USA scholarships; University; Diet and nutritional support; VEO (training and matchday analysis)

PREREQUISITES TO APPLY:

A minimum of 4 Level 4 Grades at GCSE (Maths and English are NOT mandatory)
Or a BTEC Level 2 in Sport.

Keen interest towards playing regular football.

Commitment to follow high standards and expectations in a professional environment.

For further information on the course please email [email protected]

ASSOCIATED COSTS:

The only cost associated with the course is a compulsory £100 which pays for the Southend United training kit.

Higher Education: Foundation Degree in Community Football Coaching and Development

In partnership with USW (University of South Wales)

COURSE DETAILS

The two-year Foundation Degree in Community Football Coaching and Development is an award-winning course designed for individuals looking to pursue a career in the football industry.

Students on the course will attain a degree, complete additional industry-recognised qualifications, whilst also being exposed to a range of practical coaching opportunities throughout their studies. The course’s variety enables students to develop the necessary skills, qualities and characteristics that are required to work in a range of settings, including professional football club community departments, national governing bodies, as well as other areas.

Delivered in partnership with the University of South Wales (USW), all lectures, seminars and tutorials are delivered in a supportive and inspirational environment at Garon Park or Roots Hall via online materials. Students will receive support from a full-time mentor, who will assist with academic and practical elements of the course. Alongside the academic element of the course, students will complete at least 200 hours of practical coaching within the community, alongside the Southend United Community Trust and other club staff, allowing students to embed and develop the coaching techniques learnt within lectures. In addition to this practical experience, students will also have the opportunity to complete their UEFA C license in Coaching Football and additional qualifications during their time on the course.

Through our partnership with the USW, all of those studying this course will be enrolled as a student at the university, giving them access to the university’s various online learning materials, providing them with the resources to excel. Whilst being based predominantly at The Southend United Stadium, students will also visit the USW for a minimum of five days per year, where they will benefit from access to the USW Sports Park, a £3.7m state-of-the-art coaching and performance development centre. On completion of the two-year Foundation Degree, students have the opportunity to complete a third-year top-up to a BSc (Hons) Community Football Coaching and Administration.

Start date: September 2024

Location: Southend United Community & Educational Trust

Course contact: 8-12hrs per week

Qualification equivalent: Foundation Degree

PREREQUISITES TO APPLY

Minimum of 64 UCAS points
Minimum of three GCSEs, including English and maths
FA Level 1 coaching qualification (desirable)
An Enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check (completed at start of academic year)

All applicants will be considered on an individual basis, and we could make offers based on other qualifications, personal profile and experience. For more information, please contact Head of Education Andy Edmunds [email protected].

ASSOCIATED COSTS

Full-time UK and EU: £8,000 per year*
Full-time International: £12,300 pear year*
Compulsory club kit: £150 approx.
Travel to Residential: Students will have to fund the cost of travel to the residential elements of the course at USW. Costs vary, depending on location.

Subject to change based on USW.

Students are able to apply for student finance.

‘Education is a key to the door of all the dreams’

Apprenticeships

Several learners have progressed into Apprenticeships with SUCET, where they work as Coaches in the local community while completing their NVQ Level 2 in the Community Activator Coach qualification delivered by Sports Structures.

Harry, former Community Coach Apprentice, said: "It's a great starting point - through the Apprenticeship I gained plenty of qualifications in a variety of sports such as football, futsal and handball. It's a good way of interacting with the local community and making a difference through the power of sport."

For more information, please contact Dan King on 01702 341351 or [email protected].