Education that
fits, empowering futures
Post 16 programme
A fresh approach to educational provision
In August 2025, we launched our 16 - 19 provision. It was created to address the need for an alternative pathway in North Somerset for young people aged 16-19 who had been underserved by traditional education.
Too often left demotivated and unable to reach their full potential, we set out to deliver a programme for young people that not only opens doors to professional careers in football but also provides an academic environment that makes meaningful adaptations without ever lowering expectations.
Our course leaders
Isaac Berry, Head of Education & Post 16 Football
Isaac leads our Post-16 education and football programme at North Somerset Sports Foundation, working with students to ensure they receive a high-quality experience both in the classroom and on the pitch. He oversees the day-to-day programme, supporting students throughout their studies while helping them continue to develop as footballers and prepare for their next steps beyond Post-16.
His coaching background also includes working within Colchester United’s Category 2 Academy and leading an U18 EFL College League programme, where his responsibilities combined football development with the wider organisation and support of Post-16 players.
Isaac brings a strong combination of education and high-level football experience to the role. Alongside his UEFA A Licence and UEFA A Elite Youth Licence, he holds both a BSc and MSc in Football Coaching and Performance, as well as a Level 3 Award in Education and Training. He has worked as a Sport Lecturer delivering Level 2 and Level 3 programmes, with experience in curriculum development, teaching, assessment and leading football academy provision within further education.
Isaac is passionate about creating an environment where young people can achieve academically without having to compromise their ambitions in football.
His role is to help ensure every student is supported, challenged and given the opportunity to develop, whether their next step is further education, employment, university or progression within football.
Luke Russe
Luke brings professional playing experience and academic expertise to our programme. A former professional footballer at Bristol Rovers, he now competes at semi-professional level with Bath City, maintaining first-hand insight into the demands of the modern game.
His journey began locally within the North Somerset Regional Talent Centre before progressing into the Bristol Rovers Academy at age 13.
Alongside his playing career, Luke committed to his academic development, studying for six years to achieve a BSc in Sport, Fitness and Coaching through The Open University in partnership with Hartpury College. This pathway gives him a complete understanding of the journey from grassroots through to elite environments, and proves that sporting ambition doesn't have to come at the expense of academic success.
Before joining North Somerset Sports Foundation, Luke worked as a primary school teacher, giving him real classroom experience in delivering structured, engaging and personalised learning.
Luke is now a Further Education Sports Tutor with SCL, delivering our Post-16 programme at NSSF. His role combines high-quality classroom delivery with on-pitch coaching, strength and conditioning sessions, and AoC Tier 1 college fixtures. This dual expertise ensures students are supported both academically and athletically, experiencing a programme that demands high standards while remaining tailored to individual development.
About the course.
College done different.
Our Post 16 programme is delivered in partnership with SCL College.
With over 20 years of experience in sport, SCL delivers education through Sport Centred Learning.
This approach applies sporting principles such as discipline, resilience and focus directly to academic development.
Sport is used intentionally to scaffold learning, creating a structured environment where high expectations underpin both performance and progress.
Following their first full Ofsted inspection, SCL was rated Outstanding and Good across all areas and was highly commended for its strong teaching standards, high expectations and positive learner progression.
Achievement in the classroom is as ambitious as performance on the pitch.
Our course delivers….
Qualifications & Careers
Students can work towards NCFE Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 Diplomas in Sport & Physical Activity, with opportunities to study A Levels in Business and Psychology.
Alongside their studies, learners can work towards additional industry qualifications including coaching badges, refereeing and First Aid, while gaining exposure to the many careers that exist within football and sport – from coaching and youth development to performance analysis, data and nutrition.
Our programme provides pathways towards university, apprenticeships, employment, further training and careers within the sports industry.
Our learners train within a structured football environment, developing their technical, tactical and positional understanding alongside Strength & Conditioning, athletic development and active recovery.
Football Development
Competitive football is a fundamental part of the programme…and our first cohort made an immediate impact.
2025/26 Tier 1 League Champions
In our inaugural season, our Post-16 team were crowned Tier 1 League Champions, an incredible achievement in the programme's very first year.
A pathway to the adult game
Post-16 forms an important bridge between our youth pathway and senior football.
Being based at the Hand Stadium – also home to Clevedon Town FC – gives our learners exposure to the adult game and a clear understanding of the standards and expectations required at senior level.
We work to create opportunities for players to progress into development and senior football, with Clevedon Town forming an important part of that pathway.
And progression isn't limited to playing. Learners are exposed to coaching, officiating, analysis, Strength & Conditioning and other roles across the game, helping them discover where their own future in football could take them.
Education That Works Differently
There are no formal academic entry requirements to join our programme. Where required, students are supported to continue studying GCSE or Functional Skills Maths and English certifications alongside their main qualification.
Our structure can work particularly well for young people who have found a traditional classroom environment challenging. Shorter days, regular breaks, smaller learning environments and a balance between academic study and physical activity create a different way to learn.
More Than a Qualification
We want our students to leave us as better players – but, more importantly, as confident young adults with direction.
Education, football, additional qualifications and real-world experience come together to help every learner identify their next step, whether that's university, an apprenticeship, employment, further training or continuing within the game.
Your education
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Your football
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Your future
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Your education | Your football | Your future |
Frequently Asked Questions
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No! Not at all. We welcome applications from girls and boys. We are incredibly passionate about accelerating the women’s game and work alongside our partner organisation North Somerset Regional Talent Centre who have an established and maturing girl’s programme. The U16 girls have just returned from a tour to Mallorca where they played some incredible opponents from across Europe, including Real Madrid.
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No. The course is fully funded by the Foundation. It is the only course of this nature in the region without a cost to families.
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No. We don’t have a requirement that you are good at football. An interest in the game would be an advantage, but it isn’t necessary to have experience. We recognise that every student brings a unique set of skills, and these are as valuable to our student team as scoring goals!
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No formal qualifications are needed. If students scored below a grade 4 in Maths or English GCSE, then these need to be taken again with us.
To be considered for our A Level Business Studies course, students will have needed to obtain 5 GCSEs at level 4 or above (these will need to include Maths and English).
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We are strong advocates for inclusivity and accessibility. Our student athletes benefit from small class sizes and lots of 1-2-1 or small group teacher support. The nature of the course means that we incorporate movement into our day, every day. We run our course on the principle that no student - with or without SEN requirements - is disadvantaged by classroom adaptations that make learning more accessible.