Fa2 step up

In need of some advice!
I am going to book onto the Fa1 within the month, hopefully taking the badge in May or June at only £30! I am looking foreword to it immensely. However, i want to start looking at Fa2 asap. My school academy for football offers it in Y13, currently in Y11. I just want to tap into some of your knowledge. I am coached by Jimmy Gilligan(spelt wrong i think) who some of you may know, coach of eng U18, played for forest and watford. I asked him about this and he said if i get Fa2 by Y12 then the school will pay for Uefa B and i can do it over a longer period of time with individual tutoring. However, what is the step up really like. Can anyone just give me some advice about Fa2.
I will probs be much more knowledgeable about it all after Fa1 but i make my sixth form choices soon i need to know whether to do academy.
Cheers
Matt

Its a massive step up from Level 1.
But Level 1 is a very, very low level. When my assistant was on his course he told me stories of female students on the course who got nervous and giggled when the ball came towards them in practicals. They still passed.

Level 2 is longer, specific, and really makes you think about the game. In my opinion, yes it is possible to do it straight after Level 1 - but don't make it hard for yourself, get coaching on a regular basis. Many coaches, including people in my club, believe you need a good 3 or 4 years coaching before taking on Level 2.

Uefa B by Year 13? I'm guessing y13 is 18/19 year olds? Fair enough, sounds like a bit of a joke to me though, descredits those with experience and damned hard work.

If you are looking for some form of paid employment through coaching, you need the pieces of paper.
If you are looking to be a good coach, you need experience.

Just my opinion though

Well let me clear that up sorry, in Yr13 i could start learning the stuff that is on Uefa B not taking the course. I would get tutoring to prepare me for taking the course later on, but i still get a leadership award or something. All it is trying to do is give us the best possible start by learning early. We started learning Fa1 stuff at 14. My dad said the same as you that it was nonsense, but who am i too complain. Especially with an ex pro teaching, hes Uefa A and wants to do Pro licence, we can tap into him at any stage so we arn't unprepared.
.All i want to do is get coaching a.s.a.p and if i need qualifications to do that at a high level then i will get them.

wbaman - Firstly, it's great to see a young coach like yourself desperate to progress and learn. My advice to you would be to take and pass your Level 1 and then go and get yourself some experience. Theres no point having bits of paper without experience as pointed out. I personally as someone that employs coaches would easily have a coach thats Level 2 yet with 15 years coaching experience over a 19 year old that has the UEFA B yet hasn't coached a great deal.
You say you wan't to "get coaching a.s.a.p" and thats great! Theres nothing stopping you NOW, go to Sunday clubs and try and gain that experience. You also say that "if i need qualifications to do that at a high level then i will get them" - one thing to remember is that the Level 2 and UEFA B is failable! Yet this would be far easier courses for you if you gained the experience before taking the B license. It really is about experience, either way best of luck to you and keep thirsty for football mate

Great advice cheers, yeah in a way the academy thing does that. We do coaching as part of it.