A Shafton-based secondary academy has been named the only secondary school in Barnsley to achieve the Gold Standard for girls football provision.

Outwood Academy Shafton, based on Engine Lane, is one of nine schools in Barnsley that have been awarded the highest level of accreditation by Youth Sport Trust and The FA Girls’ Football Schools Partnerships.

The FA Girls’ Football School Partnerships supported by Barclays, is a result of a network of education-based partnerships with schools throughout the country. Through this network, strategic partnerships with families of schools are created that are committed to the growth and development of girls’ football.

To achieve the award, the academy has pledged to ensure girls parity in schools football, hit the girls football lesson key performance indicator, and girls after school football club provision key performance indicator, as well as much more.

Alison McQueen, Principal at Outwood Academy Shafton, said:

“At Outwood, we firmly believe in putting students first and for us, this commitment goes beyond the classroom. 

“We are proud that our commitment to girls football, and girls sport in general, has been recognised. We will continue to do what we can to fully support our students and we hope to see some of our current students as superstars in The FA Women’s Super League!”

Through the FA Girls’ Football School Partnerships innovative ways to deliver football for girls develop, improving participation from their very first experience and creating the next generation of female footballers, coaches and volunteers.

The Barnsley school district girls partnership is one of the success stories, with it performing above and beyond the national average in schoolgirl football provision and delivery. 

While nationally 26% of schools have pledged to give every girl access to footballs in schools by 2024, 37% of Barnsley district schools have made the pledge.

Steve Gates, Strategic Lead of The Barnsley FA Girls’ Football School Partnerships, said: “The award shows a real commitment to improving standards as both Shafton staff and students are trained in delivering a girls football leadership programme, taught in curriculum and extra-curricular time, with opportunities for students to run football programmes and competitions in feeder primary schools too. 

“The FA and Barclays are on a mission to ensure every girl has equal access to football by 2024. It fills me with immense pride that Shafton has achieved this already and is the first secondary school in my partnership to do so! Congratulations.”