A mother has been left “furious” after her child’s school announced that children would be allowed to arrive at school as early as 10am on Monday so they could watch England’s Euro 2024 final last night.
Schools across the country are having pupils return to school later today after the 2024 European Championship final. While some children are happy to be sleeping in, one mother has expressed her ‘utter horror’ at the news.
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The grand final, which pitted England against Spain, kicked off at 8pm and could have lasted until 11pm if it had gone to penalties.
The parent, named Liz, from West Sussex, told of her shock that the school would grant leave for a football match, Daily Star reported.
The 39-year-old said that while her son’s other parents seemed happy with the announcement, she was furious about what she called the education system’s double standards.
She explained: “The government and schools are preaching about low attendance in schools and that children need to catch up on lessons after the COVID lockdown, yet they miss lessons on Monday because of a football match.
Liz, who works as an X-ray technician, and her husband, an engineer, said they could not let their son stay at school late on Monday even though he wanted to watch the match, which England lost 2-1.
The mother expressed her frustration: “It’s an important lesson to learn. If you stay up late for something fun, you have to fulfill your responsibilities the next day.
“I don’t go out late if I know I have to work the next day. That’s something everyone has to figure out for themselves.”
She continued: “I paid for Breakfast Club in advance, I don’t want to waste that money and I work in an NHS hospital where my patients aren’t going to wait.
“Once again, it is the middle-class parents who pay the price for everyone else.”
Liz, whose family is not interested in football, was furious about the late start and stressed that schools should therefore allow time off for any sport they enjoy watching.
The 39-year-old, who has a preference for tennis and ice hockey, also expressed her concerns about the culture surrounding the sport, with football matches ending in “fan violence and brawls”.
Liz talked about the friendly and welcoming atmosphere at hockey games, where ”all the supporters sit together”.
Although there is a ‘rivalry’, the super hockey fan claimed that ‘nobody is rude or aggressive to each other’.
“There have been numerous incidents of fans attacking each other during the European Championships. I don’t want my children to be involved in something like that.”
Full list
Moor End Community Primary School, Oswaldtwistle
Registration is possible until 10:00 am
Students are allowed to wear a red, white or English shirt if the team wins
St Peter’s Roman Catholic Primary School, Blackburn
Start time 10.30 am
Breakfast Club is open as usual
Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Secondary School, Accrington
11:00 am start time
Students must be ready at the normal time of 3:00pm
St. Charles Roman Catholic Primary School in Rishton
Registration is possible until 10:30 am
St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School in Norwich
No later than 11.30 am
Tunbury Primary School in Chatham
Students arriving after 10:00 am will be considered late.
Bowburn Primary School in Durham
Always before 10.30 am
Breakfast Club is open as usual
Woodlands Primary School in Hertfordshire
Students must be inside by 9:25am
St Mary’s Church of England Primary School & Nursery in Greater Manchester
For students tomorrow at 10:00 am at the latest
While many children and students undoubtedly stayed up last night to watch the final match of the tournament, Liz confirmed that the family would stick to their routine and ensure her son got his sleep and could attend school without any hassle today.
However, Liz said she has “emailed the school a few questions” about the curriculum but has not received any responses yet.
But despite pupils starting late today, 2 MILLION Britons reported sick after England’s defeat yesterday.
Commuters are also experiencing problems with train services to and from London Euston today.
Discount chain Lidl also opened an hour later than normal, giving its 30,000 employees extra time in bed to recover from the late evening.
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