Dereham Education and Soccer Academy - including BTEC Diploma in Sport

Please note that applications to the sixth form close on Wednesday 14th January 2026. If you wish to make an application after this date please contact the sixth form office at office@derehamsixthform.norfolk.sch.uk or call 01362 696884.

For more information about a place at Dereham Sixth Form College for September 2026, please visit the website - www.dsfc.org.uk

Course Instructions

Most students will choose the equivalent of 3 A Levels but in some circumstances a maximum of 4. These are subjects that will continue for the full two years. Select only one subject from each option block (choosing more than 1 course from the same block will delay your application as courses from each block are timetabled at the same time). All courses are equivalent to 1 A Level except where specified differently below.

Dereham Education & Soccer Academy Including BTEC Diploma in Sport (equivalent to three A Level subjects, no other subject choices required).

If your choice of subjects are not available due to limitations of the blocks, please email us with the details: office@derehamsixthform.norfolk.sch.uk

You will be based at Dereham Town Football Club and follow a bespoke timetable that includes 8 hours of football training delivered by UEFA qualified coaches and a weekly fixture programme competing in the top National Colleges League, FA Youth Cup, U18 Floodlit League and prestigious fixtures against professional academies. Progression to senior squads at the Football Club is seen as a realistic option with students having represented the first team on a regular basis.

The course is aimed at talented individuals who have the desire, ambition and focus on both education progression and/or employment in the football and sport industry. Examples of student destinations include professional footballer, teacher, physio, osteopath, accountant and entrepreneur.

Our BTEC academic provision consists of 12 units of study:

Careers in the sport and active leisure industry

Health, wellbeing in sport

Developing Coaching Skills

Applied Coaching Skills

Organising an event in sport and physical activity

Sport Development

Self employment in Sport and Physical Activity

Anatomy and physiology in sport

Research project in sport

Nutrition for physical performance

Sports Psychology

Influence of Technology in Sport and Physical Activity

This course gives you the perfect foundation to progress on to Higher Education, a Sports Scholarship in America or employment in the sports industry.

Our aim is to be a leading provider of education and football in the country and this was reflected in our quality review by Pearson: ‘The Sport BTEC program is outstanding in terms of quality resources available and the organisation of the course. Students were observed at the time of visit and it was clear how focused they were on their studies and how much they enjoyed the course. The administration of the PSA and documentation is an excellent example of BTEC provision and a credit to the Sixth Form.’

We are driven to provide lifelong learning experiences and opportunities through our provision and the standards that we set.

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Recognised pathways to University, USA College scholarships and employment in the sports and football industry.