When rival schools come up against Oasis Academy Shirley Park's Year 11 football team it must be an intimidating prospect.

Because the year group not only has a member of Charlton Athletic's academy but also a teenager who has already made his first team debut for Crystal Palace.

Harry Osborne and Alex Wynter are both dreaming of becoming Premiership stars.

But what has impressed their teachers is that they aren't sitting in class daydreaming of future glories and are instead knuckling down to ensure they do as well as they can in their GCSEs this summer.

Centre back Alex, 16, who can also play in midfield, made his Palace first team debut against Sheffield Wednesday in January in the FA Cup.

His school work hasn't suffered despite the fact he trains with Palace's academy twice a week on top of playing for its team every Sunday.

"I don't find it hard to balance school and football," Alex said.

"I really want to be a professional footballer but I also know I can't let the academic work take a back seat.

"I have been playing football since I was four and I realised quite early on that this was going to be my career.

"My dad Clifton, who supports Crystal Palace, has been taking me to games ever since I was a kid and I know I've made him proud.

"If the professional career doesn't work out I'll turn my hand to coaching, because whatever I do I want to stick with football."

Harry, 15, has been part of Charlton's academy since he was seven – and has a scholarship until the age of 18.

Like Alex, he knows his studies are important.

The centre back said: "I started playing at seven, which is pretty late, but I persevered as I liked watching the game on TV and wanted to be on there some day.

"When I play football I feel at home, and I really hope it will be a good career for me as I do believe I'm good enough.

"But I'm also keen on maths and I appreciate the value of academic subjects too."

The school, known as Ashburton Community School before it became an academy last summer, is something of a conveyor belt for talented footballers.

A string of former pupils have gone on to sign for professional clubs and, in the year below Alex and Harry, Jerome Williams has already signed for Palace's academy.

Paul Yates, the Addiscombe-based school's assistant principal, says Alex and Harry have remained down to earth despite their success.

He said: "Our school has a fantastic track record with football.

"But Alex is one of the greatest 16-year-old players I have seen pass through this school, and I'm comparing him against Sean Scannell (who is in Palace's first team) and Dean Leacock (who plays for Derby County).

"I would be absolutely devastated if they didn't make it because they are talented enough to and really deserve it."