To help schools play rugby we have developed playing offers to suit the needs of your students and your type of school.
If you are a primary school currently offering or wanting to offer rugby we recommend T1 Rugby.
In secondary schools we have several playing offers to meet the needs of all students, staff and schools, including T1 rugby, XRugby and full contact. Full details of all our offers, along with additional supporting resources can be found in the drop down sections below.
This information is for schools who are delivering T1 Rugby and contact rugby. Delivering T1 in a club, host city or as part of a partnership with us? Visit the Delivering T1 Rugby page.
Education Resources
We have a comprehensive package of resources, designed by teachers for teachers, to help anyone—regardless of prior knowledge or experience—to deliver T1 Rugby with confidence. Our resources include:
6-week lesson plans:
- Stage 1 plans (suitable for primary, or non-specialist PE staff)
- Stage 2 plans
- How to introduce and progress T1 Rugby support video
- T1 Rugby eLearning - coming soon
- Referee tips
School specific support (linked to stage 1 plans):
T1 Series
T1 Rugby Series is a fun, inclusive national programme, open to every school and college in England, to provide opportunity for teams to play at Allianz Stadium.
T1 Rugby Series is the evolution from Touch to Twickenham which introduced 400 schools to non-contact rugby, with 60% of those taking part new to rugby and 50% female participants.
Primary schools
If you are a primary school currently offering or wanting to offer rugby we recommend T1 Rugby which can be played using TAG belts or making a touch.
Resources to support delivery of T1 Rugby, include lesson plans, referee guide sheets and schemes of work.
If you’re running a festival within your school or with other schools – then please check out our MegaFest approach and supporting materials.
Secondary schools
In secondary schools we have several playing offers to meet the needs of all students, staff and schools.
- T1 Rugby – Our non-contact offer: Delivery and support
- XRugby – our modified contact: PDF Guide, Support Videos and eLearning
- Full contact 7-a-side or the traditional XV-a- side formats:15-a-side
| Rugby being delivered | Courses/eLearning |
|---|---|
| T1 rugby |
England Rugby Primary Teachers course 3 hour face to face course designed to support those delivering rugby in curriculum or extra curriculum settings in primary schools. The course supports the development of active-purposeful, enjoyable and safe non contact rugby environments for children. |
| XRugby |
Headcase This non-assessed course is designed for those teaching pupils starting out in contact and non-contact rugby. It will help teachers to progress from non-contact to contact safely, building confidence and competence to teach and referee the contact areas of the game.
It is recommended that everyone teaching, coaching or refereeing contact rugby in a school setting has attended with course.
XRugby – eLearning |
| Full contact rugby | Headcase England Rugby Coaching Award course. This face to face course includes XRugby content. All Staff delivering contact rugby should have completed both the Headcase concussion module and ERCA or equivalent. |
| Refereeing full contact rugby | Headcase Click here for free E-Learning England Rugby Refereeing Award |
The England Rugby Young Leaders Award is designed to be delivered by PE staff to students. It can be delivered as a series of 1-hour lessons or as a full day. The resource is suitable for all students to participate in and is designed to enable all PE teachers, including non-rugby specialists, to deliver.
Player safety and welfare is vitally important for everyone involved with rugby union. Rugby Safe is the RFU’s overarching player safety and welfare programme, putting player welfare at the heart of the game.
Find out more about Rugby Safe.
To help us keep you up to date and to best help support you we ask that schools and teachers register on our Game Management System.
You can find more information on the https://help.rfu.com page.
The England Rugby Football Schools Union (ERFSU) is the schools arm of the RFU with around 2,000 member schools, ranging from traditional rugby playing secondary schools to those new to rugby. Members become part of their local County Schools Union who provide many playing, competition and teacher development opportunities.
Joining the Schools Union brings benefits like entrance into national competitions and the chance to purchase tickets for Twickenham international matches.
Visit www.englandrugby-schools.com for information on how to join.
A club link is an agreement between a school and a local club to work together to develop the very best sport opportunities for young people. Our club link guide provides practical advice on developing a link and working together in the best interests of the player.
In collaboration with Twinkl, the RFU have developed a range of teaching resources for primary school aged pupils. From reading comprehensions, to design your schools’ rugby shirt.
All the resources can be found and are free to download here.
Teachers and educators
| Rugby being delivered | Courses/eLearning |
|---|---|
| T1 rugby |
England Rugby Primary Teachers course 3 hour face to face course designed to support those delivering rugby in curriculum or extra curriculum settings in primary schools. The course supports the development of active-purposeful, enjoyable and safe non contact rugby environments for children. CPD for those wanting to coach/teacher or referee. There is more information, including how to book in our course training booklet. For advice, get in contact with your local club, School Rugby Manager, or college/university partner who will be delighted to help. |
| XRugby |
Headcase This non-assessed course is designed for those teaching pupils starting out in contact and non-contact rugby. It will help teachers to progress from non-contact to contact safely, building confidence and competence to teach and referee the contact areas of the game.
It is recommended that everyone teaching, coaching or refereeing contact rugby in a school setting has attended with course.
XRugby – eLearning |
| Full contact rugby | Headcase England Rugby Coaching Award course. This face to face course includes XRugby content. All Staff delivering contact rugby should have completed both the Headcase concussion module and ERCA or equivalent. |
| Refereeing full contact rugby | Headcase Click here for free E-Learning England Rugby Refereeing Award |
Young leaders
The England Rugby Young Leaders Award is designed to be delivered by PE staff to students. It can be delivered as a series of 1-hour lessons or as a full day. The resource is suitable for all students to participate in and is designed to enable all PE teachers, including non-rugby specialists, to deliver.
