City of London Academy Highbury Grove offers an elite basketball and education pathway designed for motivated student-athletes who want to excel both academically and athletically. Students will study a full sixth form programme while training in a high-performance basketball environment that supports progression into higher education, elite academies, and competitive basketball pathways.
The programme is led by Coach Alex Ducasse (Level 3) and Ashley St. Ange (Level 2) — a coaching partnership built on experience, credibility, and shared values.
Coach Alex brings extensive national-level experience, having served as Head of Talent and England Basketball Assistant Coach at U14 and U18 level (2018–2022). He has led and contributed to established sixth form and academy programmes across London, including Crest Academy, alongside work within high-performing school and college environments. His background includes a Master’s degree in Strength & Conditioning, which underpins a holistic, athlete-centred approach to player development that blends performance, physical literacy, and long-term athlete wellbeing.
Ashley St. Ange complements this expertise as the leader of the basketball program and second in charge of the PE department. His roots are in Basketball, having coached at various levels he is an accomplished youth coach with a strong competitive track record in London basketball. With experience coaching across multiple London Youth Games competitions and leading teams to championship success, Ashley brings tactical clarity, strong player relationships, and academic grounding through a degree in Biomechanics. Together, the coaches foster a cohesive environment where technical development, physical preparation, and personal growth are fully aligned.
Basketball is used as a tool to enhance education, not compete with it. High standards, accountability, communication, and self-regulation are embedded into daily training, helping students transfer habits learned on the court directly into the classroom. The programme supports academic ambition while preparing students for life beyond sixth form — whether that pathway is university, performance sport, coaching, or leadership roles within the game.
The Basketball
- Elite team and individual training delivered by experienced sixth-form and academy coaches
- Competitive league and cup fixtures, competing against leading school and academy programmes
- Participation in national competitions and showcase events to support exposure and progression
- Integrated strength and conditioning programme, informed by sports science and tailored to basketball performance
- Post-game video and performance analysis to develop tactical understanding and decision-making
- Recovery and wellbeing provision, including pool-based recovery where appropriate
- Clear progression pathways into higher education, academies, and competitive basketball environments
- A dual-focus culture that values academic achievement as highly as athletic development
The Education
- Study at City of London Academy Highbury Grove Sixth Form, combining elite basketball with a full academic programme
- Choice of A Levels and Level 3 BTEC subjects, supporting a wide range of academic and career ambitions
- Timetables coordinated around training, fixtures, and recovery, ensuring balance between study and performance
- Subject-specialist teaching with high expectations, accountability, and structured academic support
- Guidance for UCAS, US college scholarships, apprenticeships, and employment pathways
- Clear progression routes to university, further education, and sport-related careers
- Access to elite basketball pathways, including links to London-based club and academy training environments
- Development opportunities aligned with Basketball England pathways, supporting progression towards regional and national squad training where appropriate.
Basketball is used to reinforce transferable life skills such as discipline, leadership, communication, planning, and resilience — all of which directly support success in education and beyond.
Register Your Interest
Please register your interest in the Basketball Sixth Form Academy at City of London Academy Highbury Grove, and we will be in touch with further information about applications and trials for September 2026.
Students will need to be enrolled at Highbury Grove Sixth Form and complete a basketball assessment/trial as part of the process.
Trial dates
- Saturday 7 February 2026, 11am – 1:30pm
- Saturday 28 February 2026, 11am – 1:30pm
How to Apply
To be considered for the Basketball Sixth Form Academy, students must apply to join City of London Academy Highbury Grove Sixth Form via Applicaa, selecting ‘Basketball Academy’ alongside their preferred subject choices.
Click here to apply for Highbury Grove sixth form on Applicaa.
Applicants will also be required to complete a basketball trial led by the academy coaching team. We strongly recommend registering your interest in advance to receive updates about trial dates, information events, and pathway opportunities.