Three primary schools in County Durham are allowing pupils to arrive up to 10am on Monday after England's last-16 World Cup match against Mexico kicks off at 1am. Greenland Primary School, Burnhope Primary School and Bloemfontein Primary School, all under the same multi-academy trust, have announced that children will not be marked as late if they come in any time before 10am.
Schools Respond to World Cup Scheduling
The early morning start has created a dilemma for parents and schools, as many families want to watch the match but face the prospect of tired children the next day. England manager Thomas Tuchel, after England's win over the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday, urged parents to let their kids watch the next game and skip school. He said: “Write an excuse for school and let them watch football. Come on. There’s so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years. Let them watch. There will be a big, big match on in four days and we need the support of everyone, and especially of the children.”
Government Position
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has said that schoolchildren could watch the game and still make it to class. She stated: “It’s a late game, but children can be in school the next day.” Asked if she believed children can both watch the game and still make it into school, she said: “Well, I think they can, yes, but it’s for parents to decide how they manage this, and of course, it depends on the age of your children, how they feel. But this is about decisions for individual families.”
School Policies
Greenland Community Primary School in Stanley posted on its website: "England are through! Well…after that match, we’re not sure what’s more exhausted…the England squad or the nation’s nerves! With England’s next World Cup match kicking off at 1:00am on Monday morning, we’d like to give our families the opportunity to enjoy the occasion without worrying about the school run quite so early. On Monday, school will still be open as normal from 8:00am, however, children may arrive any time up until 10:00am and will still receive their morning attendance mark." The school also declared Monday a non-uniform day. Burnhope Primary School posted a similar message, asking families to notify the school office if they plan to take advantage of the later start, adding: "This will help us plan the morning…and might even give a few of our football-loving staff the chance to watch the match too." Bloemfontein Primary School has also posted the same late-arrival permission on its website.
