Sport has taken a back seat at many schools in recent years.

Pressure on teachers' time, the drive for academic success and the challenge to do well in league tables have led to less activity on many sports fields.

But at one Oxford school, all that is about to change.

Peers School in Littlemore is setting up a pioneering football academy with Oxford United to produce the stars of the future.

The academy will be open to 16- to 18-year-olds eager to make the grade as professionals.

Critics will no doubt argue that schools should be concentrating on academic subjects.

But we believe the curriculum should be as diverse as possible, to meet the needs of all pupils.

We all know of people who have found their niche and excelled in later life, after performing poorly at school.

And there are plenty of former footballers who fell by the wayside after showing initial promise because they were unprepared for the hurly-burly of the game.

The Peers scheme will identify young people with talent and give them the best start possible.

There may also be benefits for Oxford United. The club's present youth policy is limited, and could be boosted by a steady stream of young, enthusiastic and well-trained players.

In these days of exhorbitant transfer fees, attracting young talent must be the aim of the poorer clubs.

Who knows? Even England manager Steve McClaren and his successors could see dividends in the long run.

The introduction of foreign players has made the Premiership what it is - one of the world's leading competitions.

But McClaren must despair when he watches some matches and sees so few English players on view.

More home-grown talent could well be good for England as well as Oxford United.