Turn your students' passion for gaming into accredited learning.
Bring future-ready education into your classroom with an internationally accredited esports programme. Build teamwork, strategy, leadership and resilience through game-based learning, career exploration and exciting school tournaments.
Free options available
AQA Unit Award Scheme centre
16 esports units validated by AQA in this programme
EAF Certificate of Quality
Rated Excellent by the Education Alliance Finland
No gaming experience needed
Ready-made lessons, slides and assessments for teachers
100+
Schools & organisations
5,000+
Students
5
Countries
16
AQA-validated units
Why schools choose a structured esports programme
Students are already gaming
Schools need a structured way to turn that interest into learning, not another club with no outcomes.
Teachers lack time and expertise
Building an esports curriculum from scratch is not realistic alongside a full timetable.
Leaders need proof before budget
Any new programme must show recognised standards, wellbeing safeguards and clear outcomes.
What your students learn
Game-based modules build teamwork and strategy. Industry role pathways connect play to real careers.
Game modules
Rocket League
Arena of Valor
Valorant
League of Legends
Fortnite
CS28 industry role pathways
How it works in your school
Consultation
We map the programme to your timetable, year groups and goals.
Onboarding
Teachers get platform access, training and the full lesson library.
Teach and compete
Hybrid Modules in class, plus school tournaments on the Squid platform.
Recognise progress
Students earn AQA unit awards and build a record of real skills.
Safeguarding, privacy and compliance
Ready for your safeguarding lead, IT team and governors
Bringing esports into school should never mean compromising on student safety or data protection. Squid Academy is backed by documented policies covering privacy, security, safeguarding and academic quality, so your approval process moves quickly.
- UK & EU GDPR
- COPPA / FERPA
- Thailand PDPA 2019
- Malaysia PDPA 2010
- Data Processing Addendum
- Safeguarding & Child Protection
- Internal Quality Assurance
Student safeguarding
A child protection policy, parental consent guidance for minors, and clear rules for safe, moderated online communication.
Privacy-first data
Students are set up by your school, and we only use data needed to deliver learning. Clear retention and deletion schedules apply.
Security you can review
Access control, encryption, monitoring and a documented incident response process, with a published list of service providers.
Academic integrity
Assessment integrity and internal quality assurance policies keep standards consistent across every classroom.
Need policies for your review board? We share our Data Processing Addendum, safeguarding policy and security details as part of your consultation.
Everything runs on one platform
Lessons, assessments and school tournaments in one place, ready on day one.
Learning platform
Lesson plans, slides and student activities with built-in assessment.
See the learning platform
Tournament platform
Run class, school and inter-school matches with automated brackets.
See the tournament platformRecognised standards your board can approve
Squid Academy is a registered AQA Unit Award Scheme centre. Exactly 16 esports education units in Modern Sport Pathways & Competition are validated by AQA, and our curriculum holds the EAF Certificate of Quality (Excellent).
94%
Pedagogical quality
91%
Learner engagement
4.7/5
Teacher feasibility
Education Alliance Finland evaluation results.
See accreditation details
MSPC
CEFR Aligned
语言与可及性标准
MSPC, Modern Sport Pathways & Competition
所有项目材料均按照既定的英语语言标准撰写，根据受众与项目层级进行校准，以确保学习易于理解，同时教学交付保持自信与一致。
CEFR A1-A2
面向学生
eCourse 教材、Student Learning Guides 与课堂资源
CEFR B1
面向教师
Teacher Delivery Guides、Lesson Plans 与教学说明
上述标准适用于 MSPC 框架下所有 Essential-tier Game Modules 与 Role Stacks。
Start your school’s esports programme
Start with a free, practical project. When you’re ready to offer more to students, choose the full programme or ask us to tailor delivery for your school.
Annual pricing for Other (USD)
Club Starter
$0
Best for: Schools that want to test student interest and build a proposal for an esports club.
Students work together on a club plan and team launch pack through selected Essential lessons.
- Define the club’s purpose and first activity
- Assign student roles and identify an adult sponsor
- Agree how to make the club welcoming and safe
- Create a team identity, draft announcement and one-week posting plan
- Produce a one-page club plan for school review
- Squid Academy Industry Certificate awarded when a student completes the pathway and its individual assessment
School-led, with an adult supervising students. No public posting or student social media account is required.
School Programme
One classroom, up to 50 students
$1,990/year
Whole school
$4,990/year
Unlimited classrooms
Best for: Schools ready to teach esports across a class or the whole institution using their own staff.
- Full Modern Sport Pathways & Competition programme, including Game Modules and Role Stacks
- Wider student learning and certificate pathways
- Mind Your Game, a student wellbeing programme focused on gaming and esports
- Esports Educator Certificate Programme for school staff
- Launch and delivery guidance from a named Squid Academy contact
Educator Hire & School Groups
Tailored proposal
Best for: Schools that need delivery staff, and groups buying for multiple schools.
- Online facilitator for a class of up to 50 students, for sessions of up to 60 minutes; priced in your proposal
- In-person educators and specialist coaches matched to your timetable and location
- Special licence pricing for school groups
- Programme planning across schools or cohorts
A school adult supervises students on site during online sessions.
Limited-time offer
Get whole-school access for the price of one classroom: $1,990 for your first year (normally $4,990/year).
Renewal is $4,990/year.
Compare features
| Feature | Free | Paid | Custom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Club Starter lessons and one-page club plan | |||
| First Squid Academy Industry Certificate pathway, following individual assessment | |||
| Full MSPC Game Modules and Role Stacks | |||
| Wider student certificate pathways | |||
| Mind Your Game student wellbeing programme | |||
| Esports Educator Certificate Programme | |||
| Named launch and delivery guidance | |||
| Online or in-person educator delivery | By proposal | ||
| Pricing across multiple schools | By proposal |
An optional AQA Unit Award can be discussed separately. Completing lessons or earning a Squid certificate does not automatically award an AQA certificate; AQA requires the unit’s individual evidence and assessment.
Mind Your Game: wellbeing built into the programme
The most common question from parents and school leaders is about screen time. Mind Your Game is our student wellness programme that answers it. It teaches learners how to manage gaming habits, stress and online behaviour, so esports supports their wellbeing instead of competing with it.
- Healthy gaming habits. Screen time balance, sleep, movement and recovery.
- Focus and resilience. Managing pressure, losses and emotions in competition.
- Safe online behaviour. Respectful communication and dealing with toxicity.
- Ready for teachers. Lessons and reflection activities that fit PSHE or form time.
Matched to the license you buy, at no extra cost.
Questions school leaders ask
Do our teachers need to be gamers?
No. Every lesson comes with plans, slides and assessments, and teachers receive training before they start.
Where does it fit in the timetable?
Schools run it in computing, PE or PSHE slots, as an elective, or as a structured after-school programme. We help you choose during the consultation.
What equipment do we need?
Requirements depend on which game modules you choose. We review your existing devices during the consultation.
How do you handle screen time and wellbeing?
Mind Your Game, our wellness programme, is included free with every school license.
Is the qualification recognised?
Squid Academy is a registered AQA Unit Award Scheme centre. 16 esports units in this programme are validated by AQA.
See how it would work in your school
A 30-minute call with our team. We'll walk you through the curriculum, platform and pricing for your school.