afPE fully supports the inclusion of Rugby within National Curriculum Physical Education

In response to an open letter to ministers from chief medical officers and children’s commissioners in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, the Association for Physical Education (afPE) fully supports the inclusion of Rugby within National Curriculum Physical Education.

Current afPE guidance regarding rugby in schools recommends that ‘contact versions of the game should only be introduced and managed by suitably experienced staff and coaches following recognised teaching progressions, guidelines and governing body of sport regulations’.

Staff teaching contact rugby in schools should have a current working knowledge and understanding of the rules, techniques and tactics of the activity they are teaching or officiating, and are recommended to gain additional governing body of sport qualifications over and above the competence assigned to them as a result of their qualified teacher status in Physical Education.

The wearing of personal protective equipment (mouth guards and head protectors where appropriate) is recommended at all times.

afPE has been one of the key partners in the development of concussion guidelines for schools, and in the promotion of training for school staff in recognising and dealing with the signs and effects of concussion that might occur in rugby or any other activity.

On the basis of guidance provided by afPE and other local guidance (from the local authority or other school employers), schools are currently able to make their own decisions about what activities they deliver as part of the school curriculum; there is no obligation to teach rugby. The requirements of the national curriculum can be met without rugby being played.

Parents should be aware of what sports are taught in the schools they choose to send their children to. If rugby is taught, then parents send their children to the school in the knowledge that they are likely to be asked to play rugby at some level.

Click HERE to read the BBC article entitled ‘Doctors urge schools to ban tackling in rugby’.

Click HERE to download the RFU’s ‘Rugby Safe’ document (The Rugby Football Union’s Commitment to Player Welfare).