A number of schools across the UK have confirmed they will allow students to arrive late on Monday, July 6, to enable them to stay up and watch the England vs Mexico World Cup match. The game kicks off at 1am UK time at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca, though there are reports it could be rescheduled due to predicted lightning.
Schools Offering Flexible Start Times
Several primary and secondary schools have announced relaxed attendance policies for Monday morning. Purwell Primary School in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, will keep registers open until 10:30am. Castle Hill Primary School in Basingstoke, Hampshire, will allow students to arrive from 9:30am instead of the usual 8:35am start. Greenland Primary School, Bloemfontein Primary School, Burnhope Primary School, Collierley Nursery and Primary School, and Annfield Plain Infant School, all in County Durham, will allow arrivals until 10am without being marked late.
Wider Support from Education Union
The National Education Union (NEU) has backed the flexible start times. NEU general secretary Daniel Kebede called the fixture “an important event in our calendar” and said it would be beneficial if as many young people as possible could view the match. England manager Thomas Tuchel also encouraged parents to let children watch, stating: “Write an excuse for school and let them watch football. They have so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years. Let them watch, there will be a big, big match in four days, and we need the support of everyone and especially of the children.”
Other Schools Participating
Additional schools include Newton Hall Infants’ School and East Stanley School in County Durham, which have relaxed attendance policies; Berwick Hills Primary School in Middlesbrough (arrivals until 10am); Red Hall Primary School in Dudley (registers open until 10:30am); Excel Academy in Stoke-on-Trent (arrivals until 11am); Shadsworth Junior School in Blackburn (arrivals until 11am); Hill Avenue Academy in Wolverhampton (registers open until 10am); Barrowford Primary School in Barrowford (open register); Darwen Vale High School in Darwen (9am start); and Our Lady and St John Roman Catholic High School in Blackburn (arrivals until 10am). Some schools are also offering breakfast and screening match highlights.
