Adults Other Than Teachers

Who can run a school team?

English Schools’ Football Association rules state:

“All teams must be under the ultimate control of either:

A practising teacher, recognised as such by the Department for Education, or
A retired teacher, or present or past employee of the education service who has direct approval in writing from the appropriate local or county Schools’ Football Association to undertake such responsibilities.
A person who has direct approval in writing from the appropriate local or county Schools’ Football Association who:-

Has at least a Level 1 FA coaching qualification.
Has undergone a (CRB) Criminal Records Bureau check.

This information must be registered with the ESFA on the appropriate form and the CRB certificate must be attached to the form. This registration is to be done on a three year basis. Approval may be withdrawn by the ESFA, or the local or county schools’ football association at any time.”

In English, this means that a qualified teacher should ideally be in charge. A retired teacher or employee of the education service (mid-day assistant, caretaker etc) can also take a team if BDSFA have provided written permission. Any other individuals must have an FA Level One Coaching qualification, valid CRB and be registered with English SFA. Additionally, non-teachers can be involved in coaching teams if a qualified teacher is present.

It is the responsibility of individual schools to request approval letters from BDSFA, which are issued by Chris Wilding, as secretary, following approval from the committee. Failure to do so invalidates ESFA and borough insurance.

Teachers may also find themselves open to legal difficulties if they knowingly enter a fixture where the opposing school fails to meet these requirements.

All new AOTTs will be given a probationary period of twelve months, with their status reviewed on a term-by-term basis.

Schools with registered AOTTs:

John Perry Primary - John Maguire
Monteagle - Tom Hurley
William Bellamy Juniors - Mandy Gullefer
William Bellamy Juniors - Lee Wilton
Marks Gate Juniors - Lee Wilton
The Leys - Russel Wilson
Hunters Hall - Linda Copperthwaite