TEENAGERS across the city will be able to study for a career in football thanks to a new sixth form partnership between Oxford United and The Oxford Academy.

Post-GCSE students could get qualifications in business, entrepreneurship and IT with the help of the club's staff while playing football two hours a day.

It is the first partnership of its kind in the country between a professional football club and a school.

Headteacher Niall McWilliams said it was an exciting opportunity for the city.

He said: "We are the closest secondary school to the club and we have a longstanding working relationship with Oxford United.

"We are absolutely delighted about this partnership.

"Providing post-16 courses in conjunction with Oxford United will take it to a different level.

"It's a groundbreaking opportunity for us and the club but most importantly for youngsters in the city."

The Advance Sixth Form will utilise expertise from Oxford United to teach a variety of courses linked to the world of football – and cricket, with the help of Oxfordshire Cricket Board.

BTEC courses in a range of subjects including business, entrepreneurship, health and social care, IT and sports studies will be available to study from September.

Mr McWilliams said: "It's unique. It's not being done in any other school in the country and it's a very exciting opportunity.

"Football is not just about playing football, it's about marketing, it's about business, social media, TV, radio, newspapers.

"Footballers and football clubs can have a huge impact on the local community and this is groundbreaking."

A free season ticket awaits any student that enrols for September and the club's staff will muck in to give them insight into the football world.

Community Trust operations director Caroline Robbins said: "If you go to any other football club you will study sport BTEC. Here you can do any combination of courses while still exploring your passion for football with us."

"This is genuinely unique –there is nowhere else in the country that is providing this kind of sixth form offer.

"When you get here you will have unprecedented access to the football industry, you will be able to work with the Oxford United Football Club media team, the business team, the community trust, and really understand what the football business is.

"Even if you don't play you can still get involved with the business side of things."

United winger Callum O'Dowda, who went to Gosford Hill School in Kidlington, said: "It's a fantastic project for the club to be involved with.

"The students will be get a different angle on sixth form studies, one where they can rely on the experience of everyone at the football club.

"It's certainly something I wish had been an option when I was at school."

The sixth form partnership will be officially launched tomorrow night at The Oxford Academy by several first team players and manager Michael Appleton.

The evening, from 5pm to 7.30pm, will be a chance for prospective students to find out more about the courses on offer and how to enrol.