Chelmsford, 29 May 2025 — World Cup icon Sir Geoff Hurst officially opened the Sir Geoff Hurst Academy today, a new special school located on the historic grounds of his former school, Rainsford High, in central Chelmsford.
The Academy will provide a nurturing, inclusive learning environment for 65 pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, and includes residential provision for up to 15 students. The school’s mission is to help every child become a confident, capable young adult, ready for life beyond education.
The event marked a proud moment for the city, as Chelmsford honoured one of its most famous sons while looking ahead to a future focused on educational opportunity and support for young people with additional needs.
Among the guests was Chelmsford City FC first-team manager Angelo Harrop, who attended the ceremony to show his support. During the event, Sir Geoff and Harrop took the opportunity to speak about the ambitions of Chelmsford City Football Club and the importance of continuing to support the local community through sport.
Chelmsford City FC, through its charitable arm, the Chelmsford City FC Foundation, is increasingly active in the local community. The Foundation delivers a wide range of initiatives including the delivery of PE in schools reaching over 500 children a week, community disability football, holiday camps that provide free meals to those in need and walking football sessions for almost 200 participants. The Chelmsford City FC Foundation already provides PE support for a special school in Chelmsford and from June will extend this provision to the new Geoff Hurst Academy which is on the doorstep of the club.
The decision to name the school after Sir Geoff Hurst followed a personal meeting between the football legend and the CEO of the trust overseeing the Academy. As the only man to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final, Sir Geoff’s legacy remains a source of inspiration, and his return to the place where his own journey began added special meaning to the occasion.
The opening of the Sir Geoff Hurst Academy marks an important milestone for Chelmsford—not just in education, but in celebrating the city’s ongoing commitment to supporting the next generation.
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