A closer look at the recent Performance School success stories
Harry Cochrane made history recently by becoming the first Scottish FA JD Performance School graduate to score a goal in the Premiership.
The strike came in Hearts' 4-0 win over Celtic with Cochrane playing a starring role throughout the 90 minutes.
Six graduates from the programme have now made their bow for first teams.
In partnership with the Scottish FA, the seven Performance Schools deliver an extensive, challenging programme for the country’s most talented young footballers.
The programme is for boys and girls and runs from S1 to S4 and is now in its sixth year.
The Scottish FA employs seven full-time Performance Youth Coaches who have responsibility for the delivery of the programmes in each school.
The seven partner schools are as follows:
Braidhurst High School – Motherwell
Broughton High School – Edinburgh
Graeme High School – Falkirk
Grange Academy – Kilmarnock
Hazlehead Academy – Aberdeen
Holyrood Secondary School – Glasgow
Applications for 2018 open in January
At the start of the new year, applications for the 2018 intake of Performance School pupils will take place.
More information will be released in the new year.
2017 in numbers
As we approach the end of 2017, it's time to reflect on the year and it's been a successful 12 months for the Scottish FA JD Performance Schools with success on and off the pitch:
44 professional contracts earned
4.5% higher attendance rate for Performance School pupils compared to the school average
9.5% higher National 5’s results compared to the school average
16 out of 20 players selected for Scotland Under-17s European Qualifiers were graduates of the Performance Schools
Since August 2017, six players have made their first team debuts
Logan Chalmers makes the grade at Dundee United
Joining fellow Dundee United star Scott Reekie, St. Mirren’s Ethan Erahon, Aberdeen’s Dean Campbell as well as Hearts duo Harry Cochrane and Anthony McDonald, Chalmers is one of six Performance School graduates to play at the first team stage.
Earlier this year, Logan marked four years since he started at the Performance Schools in stunning fashion by making his debut for Dundee United as well as scoring a goal.
Read the full story
Performance School coach in focus
Andy Goldie has been part of the Scottish FA JD's Performance School programme since 2012 and currently heads up the activity at Braidhurst High School in Motherwell.
He has been singled out for praise by Billy Gilmour and Harry Cochrane in both of their developments and he has spoken about his experiences as a Performance School coach and given his insight into what it takes to be a successful player.
Read a full interview with Andy Goldie
A day in the life of Billy Gilmour
Chelsea’s Billy Gilmour began his footballing journey as a Scottish FA JD Performance School pupil at Grange Academy.
Watch Chelsea TV’s latest video as they go behind the scenes with Gilmour as he talks through an average day in London.