Rugby scheme helps the most disruptive teenagers

A scheme backed by former England star Jason Leonard aims to train more than 2,400 pupils who have been sent to referral units after being excluded from school.

Children take part in intensive eight-week programmes that combine rugby drills with life skills and financial education. Organisers hope the FairPlay scheme will result in more young people joining local rugby clubs and returning to mainstream education.

Leonard, England's most capped rugby union player, said the project can teach troubled youngsters to work with others.

Speaking at a coaching session at Hackney Community College, he said: "Today I met young people who clearly struggle with basic day-to-day relationships and whose experience of school is so disastrous that it puts them on the back foot for life.

"Then I saw them playing together as a team, talking respectfully to each other and listening to the referees and coaches. Rugby's a funny old game but for this lot it's a life saver."

Jake Potter, 15, who has attended a pupil referral unit for two years, is taking part in a FairPlay programme in Chelmsford. He said: "I think I've learnt how not to put someone down if I think they're not right, but say it might be possible to do something another way. I've learnt how to be better at working with people."

The coaching is run by Rugby Football Union community coaches, while teachers from the Enterprise Education Trust provide lessons in the classroom.

The scheme is backed by Barclays Spaces for Sports and Children's charity Wooden Spoon.