PNE Community And Education Trust

The education programme at Preston North End Community and Education Trust is an exciting opportunity for both males and females aged 16 and over to continue their education, and career development through playing football and sport representing Preston North End Football Club.

- Aged 16-18 

- We no longer offer Futsal - we now offer Sport as an option and competitive football weekly competing against other Community Trusts and Colleges in a range of sporting disciplines. 

- We are a partnership with Preston College operating from Preston College with access to facilities such as: Gym, 3G pitches, Sports Hall and Strength and Conditioning Suite. 

This unique and high quality experience combines engaging, small group educational lessons and sports modules with our tutors, with the opportunity to train and develop with UEFA/FA qualified coaches, gain exclusive work experience and represent Preston North End in various regional and national competitions.

- Positive learning environment

- Chance to partake in a number of trips and experiences 

Preston Centre of Sporting Excellence offer both a Level One and Level Three Extended Diploma in Sport and Exercise and a Foundation Degree in Community Football Coaching. 

Level One Sport Studies Diploma

You will be required to attend an interview to discuss your suitability for the course. Anyone applying for this course will need to undertake work placements with children and vulnerable people as part of your course. Should you attend these placements it is a requirement that you complete a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check. 

Level Two Extended Certificate (OCR) Diploma 

You will need four GCSEs at Grade 3 (D) or above, including at least one of English Language or Maths, with a minimum of Grade 2 in the other subject. You will also be required to attend an interview to discuss your suitability for the course. Anyone applying for this course will need to undertake work placements with children and vulnerable people as part of your course. Should you attend these placements it is a requirement that you complete a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check. 

Level Three Extended Diploma Sport (OCR)

You will need five GCSEs at Grade 4 (C) or above, including at least one of English Language or Maths, with a minimum of Grade 3 in the other subject. You will also be required to attend an interview to discuss your suitability for the course. Anyone applying for this course will need to undertake work placements with children and vulnerable people as part of your course. Should you attend these placements it is a requirement that you complete a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check. 

As a student of Preston Centre of Sporting Excellence, you will study classroom-based modules, either at Deepdale or Preston College.

On the programme, you will study a variety of modules that will give you an insight into a variety of jobs within the sport sector. Learners will enjoy a mixture of theoretical and practical units such as the Principals of Anatomy and Physiology, Exercise Health and Lifestyle and Fitness Testing. 

The learner timetable will be split across the week which will embed a mixture of units, tutorials and football training with an added sport session allowing learners to develop in a variety of sports which will further widen their sporting knowledge. 

Engagement in such activities and experiences allows for learners to secure an interest and further develop that interest through applying for university and apprenticeships in the field. 

Learners of the education programme will train and compete in regional and national tournaments, playing 11-a-side football representing Preston Centre of Sporting Excellence parallel to their studies.

- 11-a-side football for Boys and Girls playing in weekly competitive fixtures

- A Team ECFA North West Division 2

- B Team ECFA North West Division 4

- Girls AOC North West League

- Development Team participate in internal and external friendlies 

- Cup Competitions - EFL National Cup (Male) AOC National Cup (Female)

Preston Centre of Sporting Excellence will take on local colleges and fellow EFL Trust sides such as Blackpool and Blackburn Rovers in the ECFA North West League. We look to utilise our contacts with semi-professional clubs to help learners play with other clubs at a higher level. 

Preston Centre of Sporting Excellence will be represented in regional and national tournaments by its learners, with tournaments run by the EFL Trust. The teams entered are always competitive, exemplified by the below:

- ECFA Champions 2020/21 Season Male and Female - 11-a-side

- AOC Champions 2022/23 - Female 

The Level Three in Sport and Exercise with Preston North End Community and Education Trust provides students with the opportunities to enter employment or higher education within the sport and leisure industry/field of study.

Learners will be provided with an understanding of UCAS and guided through the Application process - enabling them to progress onto the next stage of their education. 

The carefully selected modules within this course will allow students to sample a variety of fields within the sports industry with potential career pathways including but not limited to: sports development, sports science, sports medicine, sports coaching, sports nutrition, sports therapy, personal trainer, strength and conditioning coach, sports journalism and law in sport.

In addition to this, our students will have the opportunity to gain ‘hands on’ experience throughout the duration of the course. Current students have taken advantage of these opportunities to work alongside our coaches, sports therapists and the media department to name a few in a professional football club environment. For example, coaching in schools and on Soccer Schools. 

We feel the work experience on offer at Preston North End Community and Education Trust provides our learners with unique career development opportunities within the sport and leisure industry that cannot be experienced on other college courses.

Upon completion of a Level three course, students are offered the opportunity to study a Foundation Degree (two-year course) in conjunction with the University of South Wales.

Read all about the foundation degree here.