We are proud of the success our Harlequins Partnership Programme has had in supporting students realising their dream of playing professional rugby. Since the programme began, five students have been awarded contracts at the end of their journey at Gordon’s School. Caleb Ashworth, Tom Golder, Theo Currie, Guy Rogers and Ollie Streeter were signed by Harlequins to continue their rugby career either with a full time academy contract or a linked university contract. On top of this, Caleb Ashworth (England), Ollie Streeter (England), Theo Currie (Scotland) and Tom Golder (Wales) have all represented their country at age group level.

Study, train and play rugby within the Gordon's/Harlequins Partnership programmes

Harlequins Partnership Programme (HPP)

The Harlequins Partnership Programme offers opportunities for students to be a part of our extensive rugby programme at Gordon’s School. The school runs three teams during the rugby season. The ACE team play in the RFU ACE League, whilst the Development Team and ‘Boars’ play a mixture of midweek and weekend fixtures against other ACE colleges and independent schools.

Students who successfully gain a place on the Harlequins Partnership Programme will receive:

• Three x team training sessions a week
• Three x gym sessions a week
• One x skills session a week
• Video analysis (individual and team)
• Physio provision

The rugby programme runs alongside a first class education at Gordon’s School where students can study either A Levels or BTECs.

Staff

The experienced Gordon’s staff delivering the programme includes:

• Head of Rugby
• Lead ACE Coach
• Development Team Coach
• Lead Athletic Development Coach
• Physio

The programme is also supported by the following from Harlequins:

• Academy Coaches
• Strength and Conditioning Staff
• Physiotherapists
• Analysts

Facilities

Gordon’s are able to offer first class facilities to compliment the rugby programme. Students can access the following:

• 3G Pitch
• Two senior grass rugby pitches
• Three junior grass rugby pitches
• State of the art fitness suite/gym
• Sports hall
• Modern classrooms to complete video analysis

DISE Programme 

As part of the Harlequins Partnership Programme, we are able to offer the DiSE programme (Diploma in Sporting Excellence), which is open to 16 to 18 year olds. Alongside their training and academic studies (A Levels or BTEC), students studying the DiSE qualification will also receive theory lessons. Units completed during these lessons include:

• Understanding technical skills to achieve excellence in sport
• Understanding tactical skills to achieve excellence in sport
• Understanding lifestyle to achieve excellence in sport
• Understanding how to develop own career in sport
• Understanding health and safety at training and competition venues
• Culture, values and behaviours in a sport pathway

The diploma is a RFU-endorsed two year rugby programme for 16–18-year-olds based at the England Regional Academies.

There are approximately six places offered under this programme (dependant on allocations from Sport England). Any student offered a place on the Harlequins Partnership Programme is eligible for the diploma, and will be allocated based on a range of different factors.

Entry Requirements for DISE and HPP

The programmes are for students aged 16–18 only. 

Applications will be judged on abilities as a rugby player, as well as academic merits.

Players will be assessed on their experience; rugby CV and performances. Academically, they should expect to meet the minimum requirements to join Gordon's Sixth Form: 

A minimum of five GCSE grades 9 - 5 including grade 5 in GCSE English and Mathematics for any A Level course, or a minimum of five GCSE grades 9-4 including English and Mathematics for a BTEC course and the grade criteria for individual subjects as outlined in the Options Booklet.

While it is understood that the passion and focus may be on the rugby programme, students will be expected to prioritise their academic studies.

 

How to Apply

To apply to Gordon's Sixth Form - entry September 2026, please complete an application form found on our admissions page no later than 23rd November 2025.

We will be holding a Rugby assessment morning in the Autumn Term for applicants wishing to be part of the Harlequins Partnership Programme in Gordon's Sixth Form. Bookings for this assessment will be online shortly. Following this day there will be a second assessment for shortlisted students in November 2025.