Trivium 21c ltd.

Pupils are said to be: “more anxious than ever because of a regime of constant tests and exams” and in response to this Nicky Morgan has decided to…

Introduce English ‘Rugby Players into schools to build backbone into pupils who are misbehaving and disaffected…’ reports the Sunday Times All I can say is ‘Rugger Off’ with your stupid character initiatives – this one costs £500,000, what the ruck do ministers think is going on?!? It’s just not cricket!

From my youth the Rugby club was certainly a place that oozed character, it was the place to go to get cheap booze, drugs, and it was the place I saw my first ‘glassing’ – shattered glass and blood everywhere… Certainly an experience for the victim that made him reflect on ‘setbacks’ I suppose, but, really?!?

You can imagine the ministerial conversation: ‘the working class kids don’t have character, we do… Why??? Hmmm… I know! It was because one did Rugger at school! Let’s get Rugby players into rough schools to ruck, maul and scrum the kids into being good characters!’

My message to ministers? Please try to ensure a proper education, rather than piecemeal nonsense initiatives. Yes, sport is a good thing in schools, so invest in facilities and good PE teachers and ensure the curriculum for all children has the necessary breadth throughout their school years.