IN GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP WITH WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS FC
TRAIN LIKE A PROFESSIONAL WITH EXCELLENT EDUCATION
Tettenhall College is proud to offer an exceptional football academy programme for boys and girls delivered in partnership with Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and All Stars Sports Coaching. This football programme is suited to pupils who are looking to blend an outstanding British boarding education with a high-quality football training and coaching programme.
Pathways Available
Rich Heritage
Both Tettenhall College and Wolverhampton Wanderers are proud, historic institutions that form an important part of the heritage of Wolverhampton and the wider West Midlands.
Founded in 1863, Tettenhall College has a long-standing tradition of academic excellence and personal development. Just fourteen years later, in 1877, Wolverhampton Wanderers was established—shortly before the formation of The Football League, of which the club became a founding member.
Today, our location places us firmly at the heart of one of the most vibrant football regions in the country. Situated within close proximity to several professional clubs, including those competing in the Premier League, we benefit from an environment where elite football is part of the local culture.
Premier League Club
Working with Wolverhampton Wanderers ensures that pupils on this programme maintain a meaningful connection to the professional game.
This collaboration offers far more than football at a school level; it provides pupils with an environment that reflects the expectations, values, and standards of professional football, supporting both their sporting and personal development.
Throughout the programme, pupils will have access to selected professional facilities, such as the club’s training ground, further enhancing their learning experience and providing valuable insight into the daily environment of professional players.
Meet the International Football Academy Team
We are delighted to introduce the dedicated team of professionals who play a key role in delivering the Tettenhall College International Football Academy. Scroll across to learn more about the individuals who make our academy a place of excellence.
Kat Slater -
Director of Sport
A First-Class graduate in Sport, Physical Education and Coaching Science, she brings six years of valuable teaching experience to the academy environment. Her strong educational background enables her to support young athletes not only in their football development but also in their wider personal and academic journeys.
Kathryn is deeply passionate about creating inclusive sporting environments where every player feels valued, supported, and motivated to participate. Her work focuses on widening access to football and ensuring that opportunities are available to all, regardless of background, ability, or previous experience.
She places particular emphasis on promoting strong academic outcomes for academy players, encouraging them to recognise the importance of balancing their football ambitions with their education and long-term personal development. Through her holistic approach, she aims to help young athletes grow into well-rounded, confident individuals prepared for success both on and off the pitch
She is particularly committed to supporting strong academic outcomes for academy players, helping them understand the importance of balancing their football ambitions with their education and long-term personal development.
Ian Smith - Assistant Director of Sport
With a long-standing passion for youth football, Ian brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the football programme. A UEFA B qualified coach with over twenty years in Physical Education, he has held extensive leadership roles, including Director of Sport and faculty lead, where he successfully oversaw high-performing school football programmes. Under his guidance, multiple teams achieved significant success at both regional and national levels.
As Under 18 Youth Team Manager at Telford United, Ian played a key role in integrating a number of players into the first team. His coaching philosophy combines strong technical and tactical knowledge with a clear emphasis on player welfare, developing a growth mindset, and supporting long-term athlete development.
Within the education sector, Ian has designed, implemented, and led Post-16 Football Academy programmes that effectively integrate academic pathways with elite-level sports performance. His work has included building productive partnerships with external agencies, professional clubs, and community organisations, creating enhanced opportunities for young people to progress into higher-level football or further education.
Through his holistic and player-centred approach, Ian is committed to helping young athletes reach their full potential both on and off the pitch.
Craig Bowker -Academy Director
Craig holds a UEFA B Licence and an MSc in Coaching and Performance Analysis, bringing over 15 years of experience developing players, coaches, and clubs across the West Midlands. He has led structured football programmes in both grassroots and semi-professional environments, most recently as Head of Coaching at Sporting Khalsa FC, where he oversaw a team of 20+ coaches and supported player progression into elite pathways.
Craig has helped create opportunities for more than 200 grassroots players to experience elite football environments and has worked with The Football Association on education and inclusion initiatives within the game. As Co-Director of All Stars Soccer Academy, he has also supported the development of coaches now working in professional clubs across the UK and internationally.
Alongside his practical coaching work, Craig has gained insight into elite academy environments (including Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, Crystal Palace FC, Watford FC, Queens Park Rangers FC, Port Vale FC, Inter Miami FC) through academic study and professional mentorship, enabling him to design progressive, player-centred environments. He is passionate about combining football development with personal growth, helping young people build confidence, life skills, and a lifelong love of the game.
Ian Bonnette -Academy Assistant Director
Ian is a UEFA B licensed Football Coach with over a decade of experience developing players from grassroots through to international level, having nurtured talent including the current England U16 girls’ captain.
As Founder and Lead Coach of All Star Sports Coaching CIC, he delivers age-appropriate football programmes across schools and community settings in the West Midlands, oversees safeguarding and quality assurance, and builds the partnerships that help young players thrive both socially and athletically. His approach is rooted in holistic player development, and he is currently enhancing his practice through a First-Class BSc in Football Coaching and Performance at the University of Wolverhampton.
A Prime Location
Tettenhall College is located within a 10-minute drive to Wolves stadium – The Molineux and under a 7-minute drive to their training ground at Compton Park, where pupils will have the opportunity to train within the programme.
What’s even more special, the boarding house at Tettenhall College oversees the training ground – that’s how close we are! Watch the video below for the spectacular view.
Training Facilities
Pupils will train in outstanding facilities designed to mirror a professional football environment. These opportunities include:
- Regular training opportunities at Wolves training ground
- Tettenhall College facilities:
– Well maintained grass pitches
– Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA)
– Indoor swimming pool
– Fitness suite for strength and conditioning - Excellent boarding environment
This environment will allow pupils to train, prepare, and develop like professional footballers.
Education at Tettenhall College
Alongside football development, pupils benefit from an outstanding education at Tettenhall College. Pupils develop academically and personally while pursuing their football ambitions.
Key features of the educational experience include:
- A beautiful village location with outstanding school facilities
- Small class sizes with subject specialist teachers
- Future-focused curriculum
- Exciting suite of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities to broaden a student’s range of experiences
- Short-term and full boarding options
This balanced structure ensures every pupil is supported both on and off the pitch, preparing them for opportunities in football, university and beyond.
Pathway for Football Development and Opportunities
The Tettenhall College International Football Academy is designed to support the holistic development of each pupil while providing a clear pathway for progression to the next stage of their footballing journey.
Pupils who are part of the football academy may progress into:
- UK university football programmes
- US university football scholarships
- Semi-professional football opportunities
- Further professional development pathways within the game
The Tettenhall College International Football Academy provides a dedicated pathway that combines elite football development with high-quality education. Pupils benefit from professional coaching, structured training programmes, and a strong focus on personal growth, all while receiving an outstanding academic education at Tettenhall College.
