Schools adopt 'flexible approach' for early morning England game

Some schools across the region are adopting a "flexible approach" to when pupils arrive for class on Monday following England's World Cup game in the early hours.

The match against Mexico kicks off at 01:00 BST, and millions of people are expected to tune in.

Cottingham High School in East Yorkshire has emailed parents and carers to say lessons will start at the usual time but "pupils arriving up to 11.25am will be marked as present for the morning session".

And Kevin Rowlands, head teacher at Winterton Community Academy in North Lincolnshire, said: "We're already fighting a losing battle if we're just trying to maintain usual expectations."

He added: "We've just taken a flexible approach and said to our students that... the expectation's to arrive as normal.

"However, equally, [there's] some flexibility. If you are a little bit later, as long as you're still able to attend school, then all's good with us."

England head coach Thomas Tuchel told a press conference he supported the idea of children watching the game.

"Write an excuse for school and let them watch football," he said.

"Come on, there's so much school to go to, but we'll have this every four years. Let them watch. There will be a big, big match."

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told the BBC she would prefer children to attend school.

"You know, I'm not going to make requests on parents around bedtime – they can decide what's best for their family – but please let's try and get our kids in on the Monday, too," she said.

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