Several schools across the UK are allowing pupils to arrive late on Monday after England's World Cup round-of-16 match against Mexico, which kicks off at 1am due to the time difference. Head coach Thomas Tuchel has urged parents to let children watch the game, saying: 'There's so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years. Let them watch.'
Schools including Malmesbury Church of England Primary in Wiltshire, London Colney Primary, and Purwell Primary in Hertfordshire have implemented late starts or replays. Some are keeping registers open until 10.30am, while others plan to show the match or highlights in the morning. Elburton Primary School will broadcast an 'as-live' screening at 7.40am, and Smith's Wood primary will show highlights in assembly.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has resisted the idea, telling BBC Newsnight: 'I'm not going to make requests on parents around bedtime,' but added, 'please let's try and get our kids in on Monday too.' A Downing Street spokesperson said parents will make their own decisions but children should be in school on Monday.
The move has divided parents. One commented: 'You must be joking, the children's wellbeing and education comes first,' while another said: 'Let the children live life, one match is not going to ruin their education.'
Steve Heal, headteacher of Malmesbury Church of England Primary, asked parents not to tell children the result before school so they can 'experience the ups and downs together.' Some schools are offering incentives, such as entry into a raffle for World Cup footballs for children attending in football kits.
