Schools & Education
Rugby in every school. Opportunity for every child.
NRCF partners with 30 schools across Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Leicestershire to deliver physical activity, rugby-inspired learning, mentoring, leadership and wellbeing programmes that make a real difference.
Our schools network
30 schools. Three counties. One mission.
We currently work with 18 primary and 12 secondary schools across Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Leicestershire — delivering curriculum-linked coaching, festivals, competitions and personal development sessions. Our schools work is the engine of everything we do: the platform that enables us to build relationships, identify talent and create the progression opportunities that follow.
- 18 primary schools and 12 secondary schools
- Early Years through to Post-16
- Curriculum-linked coaching, festivals and competitions
- Personal development, mentoring and leadership pathways
18
Primary schools
12
Secondary schools
931
Primary pupils reached
~700
Secondary participants
What we offer — at a glance
Our school programmes span every phase from Nursery to Post-16. Each is designed to complement your existing provision and can be discussed with our team.
| Programme | Phase | Ages | Purpose | Format | Contact | Details link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schools Programme | Early Years – KS4 | 3–16 | Curriculum-linked coaching, festivals and competitions | In-school sessions, inter-school events | Tag rugby (primary); contact rugby available at KS2+ | Details |
| TREDS Active | Primary (KS1–KS2) | 5–11 | Embedded sport, physical literacy, mentoring and wellbeing | One coach, one day per week, 39 weeks | Non-contact multi-sport and tag rugby | Details |
| TRY Again — Primary | KS2 | 7–11 | Mentoring for confidence, emotional regulation and belonging | 6–8 week cohort programme, 45–60 min weekly | Non-contact tag rugby | Details |
| TRY Again — Secondary | KS3 & KS4 | 11–16 | Mentoring for disengaged or at-risk pupils | 6–8 week cohort programme, 60–90 min weekly | Contact rugby (adapted as needed) | Details |
| Young Leaders & Qualifications | KS4 & Post-16 | 14–18 | Coaching and refereeing qualifications, leadership development | Qualification programme with structured volunteering | Coaching-focused — contact and non-contact | Details |
| Newark Rugby Academy | Post-16 | 16+ | BTEC Level 3 qualification combined with structured rugby | Full academic year at YCDS | Contact rugby (Barbarians programme) | Details |
Contact/non-contact details are indicative. Delivery format, commissioning arrangements and costs vary by programme — contact us to discuss your school's needs.
Early Years
Where the journey begins.
Our Early Years offer works with nurseries, pre-schools and Reception classes to build physical literacy, confidence and a love of activity. Sessions are fun, inclusive and play-based — introducing children to movement and sport before they reach traditional junior coaching. Every session is designed to be joyful, developmentally appropriate and accessible to all children regardless of prior experience. This is a multi-sports in-school offer, distinct from Rugby Explorers — our Tuesday evening club programme for children aged 3–5 at Barnby Road Academy.
- Multi-sports and movement sessions for nursery and Reception
- Delivered in nurseries, pre-schools and primary schools
- Builds physical literacy, coordination and social confidence
- Inclusive and play-based — no prior experience needed
- Non-contact activity throughout
What this covers
KS1
Building the foundations.
At Key Stage 1 we build on Early Years foundations with structured rugby-inspired sessions that develop physical skills, teamwork and confidence. Sessions are curriculum-linked, delivered by qualified coaches, and designed to complement your PE offer. We introduce the core values of rugby in an age-appropriate, inclusive way. TREDS Active — our embedded school sport programme — is also available at KS1, placing a dedicated coach in school one day per week across the full academic year.
- Curriculum-linked rugby and multi-sports coaching
- Develops physical literacy, coordination and teamwork
- Introduces rugby values: teamwork, respect, enjoyment
- Delivered by qualified NRCF coaches
- TREDS Active available — embedded coach, one day per week
- Non-contact activity throughout
What this covers
Relevant programmes
TREDS ActiveKS2
Developing skills and character.
KS2 is where our schools work really comes alive. We deliver curriculum-linked coaching, inter-school festivals and competitions, and personal development sessions that build confidence, resilience and teamwork alongside rugby skills. Tag rugby is the primary format; contact rugby is available for older KS2 pupils where appropriate. TREDS Active and TRY Again — Primary are both available at this phase. TRY Again — Primary uses tag rugby and values-led activities to support pupils with confidence, emotional regulation or social skills. Note: the peer leadership element within TRY Again — Primary (where older pupils support younger ones) is distinct from our Young Leaders & Qualifications programme, which is a separate secondary-age qualification pathway.
- Tag rugby coaching (contact available for older KS2 where appropriate)
- Inter-school festivals and competitions
- Personal development and values sessions
- TREDS Active — embedded coach, one day per week
- TRY Again — Primary: mentoring for confidence and emotional regulation (non-contact tag rugby)
- Progression routes into club rugby
What this covers
KS3 & KS4
Sport, character and opportunity.
At secondary level our work goes beyond coaching. We deliver rugby sessions, inter-school tournaments and targeted personal development programmes — including TRY Again — Secondary for young people who need additional support. TRY Again — Secondary is available to alternative provision settings and PRUs. Young Leaders & Qualifications is available from Year 10 onwards — this is a separate qualification pathway (coaching and refereeing awards) distinct from the peer leadership element within TRY Again — Primary. All our secondary programmes are designed to be inclusive and can be adapted for SEND pupils.
- Rugby coaching and inter-school tournaments (contact rugby)
- TRY Again — Secondary: mentoring for disengaged or at-risk pupils
- Available to alternative provision settings and PRUs
- Young Leaders & Qualifications: coaching and refereeing awards from Year 10
- Links to careers, employability and Post-16 pathways
- All programmes adaptable for SEND pupils
What this covers
Post-16
Qualifications, rugby and careers.
Our Post-16 offer centres on the Newark Rugby Academy — a BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development delivered in partnership with YCDS, combined with structured age-grade rugby through the Barbarians programme. We also work with sixth forms and colleges to deliver Young Leaders qualifications and careers insight for students who want to develop leadership skills alongside their studies. The Academy is designed to open doors to further education, apprenticeships and employment in sport and related fields — outcomes will depend on individual circumstances.
- Newark Rugby Academy — BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development (YCDS)
- Barbarians programme — structured boys' and girls' rugby
- Young Leaders coaching and refereeing qualifications
- Employer engagement, work experience and careers insight
- Designed to support progression into further education, apprenticeships or employment
What this covers
Who we work with
Primary schools
We work with primary schools from Early Years through KS2, delivering curriculum-linked coaching, festivals, TREDS Active and TRY Again — Primary.
Secondary schools
Our secondary offer covers KS3 and KS4 with rugby coaching, tournaments, TRY Again — Secondary and Young Leaders qualifications.
Sixth forms & colleges
Post-16 students can access the Newark Rugby Academy, Young Leaders qualifications and employer engagement through our careers strand.
Nurseries & pre-schools
Our Early Years offer brings fun, inclusive multi-sports sessions to nurseries and pre-schools, building physical literacy from the very start.
SEND & additional needs
All our programmes are designed to be inclusive. We work with SENCOs to adapt sessions for pupils with additional needs, including full SEND adaptations within TRY Again.
Alternative provision & PRUs
TRY Again — Secondary is available to alternative provision settings and PRUs, supporting young people who are disengaged or at risk of exclusion.
Safeguarding in schools
The safety and wellbeing of every child we work with is our absolute priority. All NRCF coaches hold current DBS checks, are trained in safeguarding and follow our comprehensive child protection policy. We work closely with school DSLs and adhere to each school's own safeguarding procedures.
Read our full safeguarding policyGet in touch
Is your school not yet in our network?
We'd love to hear from you. Whether you're looking for curriculum-linked coaching, festivals, mentoring or something bespoke — get in touch and we'll find the right fit for your school.
School enquiry
Complete the form and we'll be in touch within two working days.