Visits by British Boarding Schools

A recent article in the British newspaper The Telegraph highlights a trend we have observed for years: an increasing number of young talents are intentionally choosing British boarding schools to combine top-tier athletic development with outstanding academic education. Our partner schools—Bede's, Claremont, Millfield, Repton, and Culford—are among the most renowned boarding schools in England, setting benchmarks in this area.

As Tim Wigmore, the article's author, notes, "Tottenham Hotspur have a partnership with Culford, in Suffolk; from September, a member of the club’s staff will be based permanently at the school." These collaborations provide young footballers, both boys and girls, with a professional environment featuring state-of-the-art training facilities, expert coaching teams, and exceptional academic support. Similarly, other boarding schools maintain partnerships with Premier League clubs such as Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City, offering students genuine pathways to a career in sports.

Mr Wigmore goes on to write, "Private schools are also becoming a recruitment ground for clubs. In 2023, Arsenal launched the Arsenal Independent Schools’ Trophy, staged at the club’s academy, with tournaments at under-14 and under-16 levels. It serves to help boys make an increasingly common leap: from private schools to the Premier League. After more than a century of distrust, the private sector has learnt to love the beautiful game."

Our partner schools focus on developing specialized sports programmes by collaborating with UEFA-licensed coaches, sports psychologists, and performance analysts. This creates an ideal environment for nurturing young talent. For some students, this model serves not only as a potential pathway to professional football but also as outstanding preparation for opportunities such as US college scholarships or careers in international sports business.

The Telegraph article on this topic from 10 April 2025 can be found here (registration/subscription required).

The next episode of the German TV series "Länder – Menschen – Abenteuer" (Countries – People – Adventures) will present a fascinating insight into the world of British rowing – and our renowned IB school St. Edward's School Oxford (Teddies) is taking part.

When:

• Thursday, 10 April 2025, 8:15–9:00 pm, Channel: ARD
• Repeat: Saturday, 12 April 2025, 1:15–2:00 p.m., Channel: ARD

In the documentary ‘Duel of the Eights – The Myth of Rowing on the Thames’ follows the elite rowers of the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and also show where the passion for this sport begins: at schools like St. Edward's.

Our partner school highlights how deeply rowing is rooted in British school life. Training here is all about great passion, discipline and team spirit. The film team visited St. Edward's Oxford to describe the everyday life of the pupils for whom rowing is not just a sport, but part of a value-oriented education. In addition to St. Edward's, the documentary follows two international students as they train and study in Oxford and Cambridge, and highlights the historical significance of the Boat Race and the social traditions surrounding the Henley Royal Regatta. Tradition, ambition, competitive spirit – and a deep love of rowing. Don't miss it!

More about the programme: Duell der Achter - Rudermythos auf der Themse | NDR.de - Fernsehen - Sendungen A-Z - Länder - Menschen - Abenteuer