Midland schools are taking different approaches to the early morning England World Cup match, with one school insisting on normal attendance while another allows students to arrive late.
Higham Lane School offers late start
Higham Lane School in Nuneaton will allow students to arrive by 11am on Monday, July 6, with classes beginning at 11.30am, following England's round of 16 match against Mexico, which kicks off at 1am.
In a social media post, the school said: "As many families will know, England play Mexico in the FIFA World Cup knockout stages at 1.00 am on Monday morning (July 6). We recognise that football is our national sport, and many students will wish to watch what promises to be an exciting match, which is unlikely to finish until around 3.00 am and could finish even later if extra time or penalties are required."
The school described the arrangement as "an exceptional one-off arrangement" and noted that schools will be open from 8.15am for students who wish to attend earlier. No lessons will be taught during Periods 1 and 2 for Years 7-10 and 12. Students will be formally registered at 11.10am, followed by tutor time before normal lessons begin at 11.30am.
Nuneaton Academy takes firm stance
However, Nuneaton Academy stressed that Monday 'is still a normal school day' and expects students to arrive on time. In a social media post, the academy said: "England playing in a World Cup knockout game is exciting. We understand that completely. But Monday 6 July is still a normal school day. Children need routines. They need sleep. They need adults to help them make good choices, especially when something exciting is happening late at night."
The academy added: "At Nuneaton Academy, we will not extend registration or adjust attendance processes in a way that risks breaching statutory requirements. Our attendance register is a legal record, and we will record attendance and punctuality accurately. That matters because attendance culture matters. We can enjoy big national moments without lowering expectations for children."
Instead, the school plans to show match highlights from 8.20am, serve cheese on toast, and run football-themed activities at break and lunchtime, including kick darts.
Impact on families
The different policies reflect a broader debate about how schools should balance national events with educational priorities. Higham Lane School's approach allows families to enjoy the match while ensuring students are rested, while Nuneaton Academy emphasises the importance of routine and attendance.
