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Serious football. Serious education. Open to all.
Glenalmond College and Chelsea Football Club have partnered to create a football development programme for girls and boys aged 11 - 18 who want to take their game seriously without compromising on academic ambition.
Based within Glenalmond’s 300-acre Perthshire campus, the programme combines football coaching with the breadth, balance and opportunity of a leading independent boarding school education.
Designed collaboratively by Glenalmond and Chelsea FC, the programme supports ambitious young footballers within an environment that values character, leadership, resilience and personal growth just as highly as sporting success.
Pupils enrolled on the programme will benefit from coaching delivered through Chelsea FC’s established development methodology, supported on-site by a full-time football coach embedded within the College.
The programme also includes opportunities to:
• Train with Chelsea FC coaches
• Visit Chelsea FC’s world-renowned Cobham Training Ground
• Experience Stamford Bridge
• Receive player and career development support
• Develop in a secure countryside campus, coached by professionals from one of the most respected football environments in the world.
Importantly, the programme sits alongside Glenalmond’s full academic experience. Pupils can pursue high-level football development while continuing to benefit from outstanding teaching, boarding life, outdoor education and a wide range of co-curricular opportunities.
Glenalmond has a long-standing reputation for developing well-rounded young people who go on to succeed across sport, academia, leadership, the arts and business.
The Chelsea FC Football Programme builds on Glenalmond’s established sporting tradition, joining a performance sport offering that already includes nationally recognised rugby, hockey, golf, tennis, cricket, and shooting programmes.
This partnership reflects Glenalmond’s continued ambition to create exceptional opportunities for young people while preparing them for life beyond school.
Professor Basak Akdemir, Chairperson of Glenalmond College and Owner of 35 Education, said: “At its heart, this partnership is about opportunity. It is about giving young people access to exceptional experiences with globally recognised organisations while remaining within an environment that nurtures ambition, integrity and personal development.”
She continued: “Glenalmond has a proud heritage, but we are equally focused on the future. Our
responsibility is to create an environment where pupils are inspired to pursue excellence in whatever motivates them - whether that is academia, sport, leadership, the arts or enterprise.”
For young people serious about football, but equally serious about their future, the Chelsea FC Football Programme at Glenalmond offers something genuinely different: coaching, exceptional education, and the opportunity to develop within one of the most inspiring school environments in the UK.
There is no separate application process: the programme is available to all Glenalmond pupils. If your child is not yet at Glenalmond and you would like to explore joining the school, our Admissions team would be happy to help. Register your interest by completing the form above or email us at [email protected].
The programme is open to all Glenalmond College pupils. There is no separate selection requirement, meaning pupils can take part whether they are already competing at club level or are simply passionate about developing their game.
Chelsea FC is a full partner in the programme, not simply a brand association. The club provides a permanently based, UEFA-B-qualified coach at Glenalmond, who works day-to-day with pupils using Chelsea FC’s established coaching methodology.
Through the partnership, pupils also have access to:
Pupils receive structured football coaching sessions throughout the week alongside their full academic timetable and wider school activities, ensuring football development complements rather than replaces the broader Glenalmond experience.
To find out more about the Chelsea FC Football Programme at Glenalmond College, complete the enquiry form or contact the Admissions team directly.
