STANWELL School, Penarth, is using the excitement of this year's Six Nations tournament to get pupils thinking about maths and science.

Rugby is a sport full of both maths and science and head of boys PE at Stanwell, Daniel Connor, is using the sport to make it engaging.

Mr Connor explains: “It’s crucial that we continue to find engaging ways to improve children’s numeracy and literacy and youth rugby is a great place to start.

"If you can make learning enjoyable, relating it to things that children are passionate about, then the positive impact on standards is obvious to see.

“In my role as youth coach, I make sure that my young players understand the importance of numbers and science in rugby.

"Every time a player catches or kicks a ball they are using maths to work out trajectory and speed.

"Players have to take into account wind speed, the angle and the distance to the posts.

"Science also plays an important part in a rugby player’s life in relation to nutrition, and we discuss the importance of eating the right foods to optimise performance on the pitch, as well as during recovery after the game.

“Watching rugby together can also have many benefits for parents/carers and children alike.

"Not least there’s a great learning opportunity if parents use the game to engage their children with numbers and science.

"The more a parent/carer uses numbers around the house and in general conversation, the more confident children will be with maths and the quicker they will learn.”

For further information about the Education Begins at Home campaign and the online resources available for parents, please visit facebook.com/beginsathome (facebook.com/dechraucartref) and follow them on Twitter @edubeginsathome (@dechraucartref).