The Sporting Excellence Programme is open to students entering Sixth Form at Crossley Heath School from September 2026 who demonstrate strong sporting ability, commitment, and potential.

We welcome applications from both established athletes already competing at county, regional, or national level, as well as those involved in professional club academies, and developing athletes who have shown exceptional performance and promise at school or club level but may not yet be competing at higher representative levels.

Our aim is to support talented and dedicated student athletes at different stages of their sporting journey, helping them to develop their performance alongside their academic studies.

Students from a wide range of sports are encouraged to apply.

We welcome applications from students participating in a wide range of sports. This includes both individual and team sports, for example athletics, cricket, football, rugby, swimming, badminton, gymnastics, ice skating, tennis, cycling, dance, martial arts and many others. 

Students competing at club, county, regional or national level are encouraged to apply, as well as those who can demonstrate exceptional performance and potential within school or club environments. 

Each application will be considered individually, with selection based on the student’s current level of performance, commitment, and potential for future progression

We expect to select approximately 8 to 12 students per cohort. Places are limited to ensure each student receives personalised support and guidance.

Students on the programme will receive a financial scholarship to support their sporting development.

This funding must be used to support sporting progression, for example coaching, equipment, travel, competition entry fees, or specialist support. 

Students selected for the programme are expected to: 

• Maintain high standards of behaviour and represent the school positively 

• Demonstrate full commitment to their sport and their academic studies 

• Attend profiling sessions, masterclasses and programme activities 

• Engage fully with their personalised training and development plan 

• Maintain strong academic effort and progress 

• Use the scholarship funding appropriately to support their sporting development 

Students will also act as ambassadors for the programme and the school. We therefore reserve the right to ask students to feature in promotional material for the programme, for example video content, social media posts, testimonials, assemblies and more. 

Crossley Heath School is committed to supporting students to excel in both their academic and sporting pursuits. 

Students will benefit from: 

• A dedicated, qualified sporting coach leading the programme 

• Flexible support from teaching staff where appropriate 

• Access to academic tutors if additional support is needed 

• Regular academic monitoring and guidance 

• Structured support to develop time management and dual career planning skills 

Our aim is to ensure students thrive in both environments. 

Leeds Beckett University is one of the UK’s leading universities for sport and exercise science and works with elite athletes across a wide range of disciplines. 

Through this partnership, students will benefit from: 

• Professional fitness testing and profiling 

• Specialist masterclasses and workshops 

• University visits and access to elite facilities 

• Support in developing personalised training plans 

• Insight into elite sport pathways and careers 

Yes. We will maintain regular communication with students’ clubs, coaches and governing bodies where appropriate, to ensure the programme complements and supports existing training and competition commitments.

The programme runs for two years, from September 2026 until approximately Easter 2028, covering the full duration of Sixth Form study. 

Students must complete the application form available on this webpage. 

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend a follow up meeting or discussion as part of the selection process. 

No. There is no cost to students to take part in the programme. The initiative is fully supported by The Crossley Heath School and our partners, and students selected for the programme will receive a financial scholarship to support the development of their sport. 

Applicants will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible after the application window has closed and follow up meetings have concluded. Successful students and their families will receive a formal confirmation letter outlining their place on the programme, the pathway they have been selected for, and the next steps. 

All applications will be reviewed carefully by a panel of Crossley Heath School staff, including senior leaders and members of the PE and Sixth Form teams. Selection will be based on the information provided in the application form, including evidence of sporting performance, commitment, future potential, and the student’s readiness to balance both academic and athletic excellence. 

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend a follow-up interview, where they will have the opportunity to discuss their sporting journey, ambitions, and suitability for the programme in more detail. 

We are committed to ensuring a fair, thorough and supportive selection process, designed to identify students who will benefit most from, and contribute positively to, the Sporting Excellence Programme.

If you have any questions about the Sporting Excellence Programme, please contact our Sporting Excellence Programme Team at: sportingexcellence@crossleyheath.org.uk  

As this is a new and evolving programme, components may be adapted over time. The school reserves the right to make changes where appropriate to ensure the programme continues to provide the highest level of support to our student athletes. 

No, you do not. Students on the Sporting Excellence Programme can study any A Level subjects. The programme is designed for students who compete in sport at a high level alongside their academic studies, whatever subjects they choose.

Yes, in many cases you can. We will look at this on a case-by-case basis depending on your subject choices, the demands of your sport, and the additional activity you are interested in. If there is something you are passionate about and feel you can commit to fully, we recognise the value that wider enrichment and leadership experiences can add.

We will always be mindful of your overall schedule, but the Sporting Excellence Programme is designed to be flexible and tailored to the individual, so where possible we will work with you to help make these opportunities achievable alongside your sporting commitments.