The Premier League will start the academic year as the proud recipient of two awards for the education it provides to young players. During the 2010/11 season the standard of learning at the 20 Barclays Premier League clubs was so high that the Premier League was accorded an ‘Outstanding’ rating by Ofsted.

As a result of that impressive inspection, the Premier League has also been awarded ‘Beacon Status’ by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service, whose job it is to raise standards and achievement in the learning and skills sector in England.

The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) regulates and inspects the excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages.

They were unequivocal in their findings of the quality of education the Premier League and its clubs provide for young people: Outcomes for learners – 1; Quality of provision – 1; Leadership – 1; Safeguarding – 1; Equality and Diversity – 1; Subject area education – 1.

Ged Roddy, the Premier League’s Director of Youth, said: “The education of players may not be something that commands the back pages but it is a duty of care issue that the Premier League and its clubs take very seriously. This recognition from Ofsted is a fantastic reward for all the hard work that has gone into improving the educational welfare of our scholars.

“The Academy system is about the development of elite players to feature in one of the toughest football leagues in the world but it is also about ensuring that every one of our players has a bright future.

“Nearly three-quarters of those boys will end up playing football professionally across all the English leagues, but the rest are also very well served for either further education or full-time employment. As the report notes, we develop highly rounded individuals for their age.”

The education, both on and off the pitch, is for all Academy trainees aged 16-19, on a contract with their club. The Premier League manages the work-based learning contract for Advanced Apprenticeships in Sporting Excellence (AASE) within the Premier League.

Every club Academy has a full-time head of education and welfare, and a team of coaches who deliver on-the-job training. Training is provided on behalf of the clubs by a range of providers including schools and colleges, and the programme is supported by a range of agencies including the Professional Footballers’ Association and Kick It Out.

The findings of Ofsted’s report make hugely encouraging reading. Judged previously as ‘Good’, the inspectors noted how “the Premier League demonstrates an outstanding capacity to improve”. Success rates are very high and show continuing and significant improvement over the last four years. During the 2010/11 season, 93% of learners successfully completed the apprenticeship.

As is perhaps to be expected – although it should be never taken for granted – learners make outstanding progress in developing football skills. They receive highly effective support to ensure they reach their potential in football and an incredibly high number do. During the 2010/11 season 73 per cent achieved a professional contract and of the rest, many progressed into further or higher education or other employment through the Premier League’s Next Step Programme.

Ofsted found that we were developing highly rounded individuals for their age. They develop particularly good personal and social skills and the ability to analyse and reflect on their own progress. This includes being exceptionally well prepared to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. Learners in most clubs also make a major contribution to local community schemes and activities.

The ‘outstanding’ list continued:

• Coaching, training and assessment support learning and development – “Highly qualified and experienced coaches and specialists develop particularly high levels of individual physical and technical skills…Flexible arrangements allow learners to take advantage of all opportunities to play higher level football whilst maintaining their educational progress.”

• The promotion of equality and diversity – “A strong emphasis on actively combating discrimination is supported…The Premier League fosters and ensures a very strong culture of respect.”

• Safeguarding arrangements – “The organisation protects its learners very well… Clubs receive good training and support and the Premier League actively promotes safeguarding nationally through extensive partnership working.”

• Leadership and management – “There is a clear vision and strategy to develop high level skills and education.”

The hard work done by the Premier League was also noted. It was recognised that at all levels, the Board, senior executives and managers were seen to provide outstanding leadership and management.

The report said: “The Premier League has very effectively managed the reorganisation of the programme, leading to much improved results. Leaders and managers set very high expectations for learners and staff. The arrangements for monitoring performance are very effective. Particularly effective arrangements are in place to support clubs who are relegated or promoted to ensure learners are not disadvantaged.”

Transfer deadline day again proved busy for Barclays Premier League clubs.

The first confirmed deal of the day was Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole moving to French club Lille on loan.

Shortly afterwards Reds team-mate Christian Poulsen moved to another French side, Evian, for an undisclosed fee.

Arsenal signed Brazilian full-back Andre Santos from Fenerbahce and then completed a move for German defender Per Mertesacker from Werder Bremen.

North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur completed the signing of West Ham United midfielder Scott Parker for an estimated £5m.

In return Spurs loaned midfielder David Bentley to the Hammers who also snapped up Arsenal midfielder Henri Lansbury on a season-long loan.

Fulham captured experienced Czech Republic international defender Zdanek Grygera on a season-long loan from Juventus and then added Bryan Ruiz from Twente Enschede as well as Portuguese striker Orlando Sa, a free agent.

Aston Villa agreed a deal to sign Enda Stevens from Irish side Shamrock Rovers in January 2012.

Alex McLeish also brought in two players from Spurs, midfielder Jermaine Jenas joined on a season-long loan while defender Alan Hutton made a permanent switch.

Manchester City striker John Guidetti has completed a loan move to Feyenoord for the rest of the season.

Celtic winger Shaun Maloney switched to Wigan Athletic for an undisclosed fee. The Latics also brought in Patrick van Aanholt on a season-long loan from Chelsea.

Manchester City then signed former England midfielder Owen Hargreaves who was released by neighbours Manchester United at the end of last season.

Bolton Wanderers signed striker Gael Kakuta on a six-month loan deal from Chelsea and followed that up by bringing in Liverpool striker David Ngog on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Everton sold striker Jermaine Beckford to ambitious Championship side Leicester City for an undisclosed fee.

Stoke City signed midfielder Wilson Palacios from Spurs. Right on the transfer deadline, it was announced that the Potters had captured Spurs striker Peter Crouch and Birmingham forward Cameron Jerome.

Swansea City brought in Fulham defender Rafik Halliche on loan until 1st January.

Queens Park Rangers completed the capture of Shaun Wright-Phillips from Manchester City who also sold Craig Bellamy back to Liverpool.

Neil Warnock then beat the deadline to sign Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand and Southampton winger Jason Puncheon.

Blackburn Rovers confirmed the signing of Birmingham City defender Scott Dann.

Sunderland negotiated a season-long loan deal for Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner.

Right on the deadline, there was a stunning announcement as Chelsea confirmed the signing of Portuguese midfielder Raul Meireles from Liverpool.

And Arsenal swooped for Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta as well as bringing in Yossi Benayoun on loan from Chelsea.

Everton replaced Arteta with Real Madrid midfielder Royston Drenthe plus Argentine striker Denis Stracqualursi from Tigres – both on a season-long loan.

Swansea City signed two defenders, subject to Premier League clearance, Darnel Situ arrived from Lens for around £250,000 while left-back Federico Bessone returned to the club on a two-year contract from Leeds United.

City were rocked earlier this summer when their talismanic striker revealed that he was looking to leave.

The Blues had fended off a similar announcement last season and believed that their South American star was settled at Eastlands.

Speculation has suggested that Tevez is a target for a number of clubs, but no deal has been done as yet.

He remains in England as a result and has been included in Roberto Mancini’s first-team plans this term.

City believe Tevez will now see out the season on their books, with there few clubs capable of meeting their asking price.

Aguero is keen to see his countryman stay, allowing the pair to work on a strike partnership that could prove to be destructive at domestic and international level.

“We have spent a lot of time together and we talk about everything,” Aguero said. “I know he is a bit frustrated but, as we all know, it is up to the coach to decide who plays and who doesn’t.

“I’m sure we will both have a chance here at City and with Argentina. I hope he stays and we get to play many games together. But it is up to Roberto Mancini to make that decision.”

Held at the established Ellenborough Table Tennis Club in Enfield, the inaugural competition saw the Gunners compete against the Chelsea Foundation, West Ham United Community Sports Trust and Tottenham Hotspur Foundation for the right to be crowned London champions.

For some of the youngsters involved, it was their first-ever table tennis tournament, while for other more experienced players, it offered a chance to test themselves against their peers from other clubs.

The 10 Arsenal players combined youngsters from no fewer than six different schools, who come together each week for training at the new Arsenal Community Table Tennis Club at St. Aloysius College in Islington.

The teams were split into three groups of three, with points being awarded for each game across each division. When the scores were combined, Arsenal in the Community ran out narrow winners.

To celebrate their success, the group was presented to the crowd ahead of the recent Emirates Cup tournament, where they met Arsenal defender, Laurent Koscielny, and received a warm round of applause for their efforts.

Jay Ghazi-Timms, who was the star of the show for Arsenal, winning all of his matches in the competition, commented: “I am so happy to have won all my games. I played in the Fred Perry Cup for Arsenal last year, but winning here was even better. We played really well as a team.”

Over the past year, Arsenal in the Community has made fantastic strides with its table tennis programme. Arsenal Community Table Tennis Club has recently been affiliated to the ETTA, achieving ‘Premier Club’ status.

The club has also had some very impressive results at the table, both in team competitions and with individuals such as Tyla Anderson, who has risen 89 places to 21 in the British Junior rankings recently.

This is the culmination of hard work, dedication and tremendous efforts from Arsenal’s coach Steve Achille. Well done to everyone who has contributed to the successes this year.

Premier League 4 Sport forms part of the Government’s ambition to offer young people five hours of sport a week, as part of its London 2012 legacy plans. It will also address the drop-off in sports participation when young people leave secondary school.

Arsenal in the Community holds Premier League 4 Sport sessions across the boroughs of Islington, Camden and Hackney, usually between 3.30pm to 6.00pm on weekdays. For full details of sessions and more information, please see the website www.arsenal.com/community or contact Ross McKinley on 0207 704 4147 rmckinley@arsenal.co.uk

Sylvan Ebanks-Blake scored twice to fire a second-string Wolverhampton Wanderers side into the Carling Cup third round at the expense of Northampton Town.

The League Two Cobblers, 82 places beneath their high-flying visitors, almost took a shock lead but Adebayo Akinfenwa blazed over from close range.

And they were made to pay as a double from Ebanks-Blake, Nenad Milijas’ fine free-kick and a late strike from Sam Vokes sent the Barclays Premier League side through.

American defender Eric Lichaj set Aston Villa on their way to a place in the third round of the Carling Cup with an 80th-minute goal against League Two side Hereford.

Villa sealed their victory when substitute Nathan Delfouneso popped up with a second goal two minutes from time.

The plucky visitors battled hard but Villa’s superior class was always evident as they completed a deserved win.

Craig Mackail-Smith’s extra-time header saw Brighton beat Sunderland in the second round of the Carling Cup and added to Steve Bruce’s woes days after the derby defeat to Newcastle United.

Sunderland rarely threatened on the south coast and Brighton will feel justice was done after they were denied a 64th-minute penalty claim by referee Andy D’Urso.

QPR saw the euphoria that has greeted Tony Fernandes’ takeover of the club pierced when they were dumped out of the Carling Cup by Rochdale.

Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro and Gary Jones booked the npower League One outfit a place in the third round with a goal in each half.

An under-strength Norwich City side lost to their inspired visitors MK Dons at Carrow Road.

The League One visitors were simply too good for a Norwich side which was completely different to the line-up that drew at Stoke City on Sunday, with two goals from former Canary Luke Chadwick setting them on course for victory.

Sam Baldock and substitute Daniel Powell were also on target as Paul Lambert’s side simply crumbled.

League Two Shrewsbury Town roared back from a goal down to beat Swansea City.

Graham Turner’s men reached the third round for the first time in 18 years, a feat that looked unlikely when Shane Cansdell-Sherriff turned an early header into his own net.

But first-round hero Marvin Morgan levelled before half-time and Mark Wright put Shrewsbury ahead midway through the second half before Nicky Wroe finished the visitors off at the end.

Marc-Antoine Fortune’s brace helped West Bromwich Albion secure a convincing 4-1 victory at Bournemouth in the Carling Cup second round.

Baggies manager Roy Hodgson rested his entire side from Saturday’s defeat at Chelsea for the match at Dean Court.

Despite the changes, Jerome Thomas managed to break the deadlock and Fortune doubled their advantage with half-time approaching.

Steve Lovell pulled one back for the Cherries, but it proved a mere consolation as efforts from Simon Cox and Fortune settled the tie.