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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

EURO 2016 - should children watch Eng vs Wales at school

260 replies

OX3Mum · 13/06/2016 21:05

My football loving kids are distraught that their primary school isn't showing the England vs Wales Euro 2016 match this Thursday at 2pm - apparently for 'technical reasons'. Are any other primary schools showing it /letting kids go home early - or are there going to be loads of kids going home sick this Thursday lunchtime...?

OP posts:
tinytemper66 · 13/06/2016 22:27

KS3 watching Wales v England in the hall at 2pm. However buses at 3.15 so will miss the second half on their way home!

romanrainsalot · 13/06/2016 22:27

What backingvocals said.

It doesn't flippin matter. England are pants. The nation expects, the team end up being a big let down, just like all the other tournaments before (since Italia 90).

Its bad enough the kids spend July in school watching Shrek videos, now we have to have them spend June watching stupid football.

Noodledoodledoo · 13/06/2016 22:27

I have the challenge of teaching an exam class with 1 lesson left to their exam during the match. Based on previous experience school will leave it down to individual teachers to make the call so I will be the bad guy if I say no.

I have zero interest in it myself and would like to do some work to prep them for their GCSE!

If it was a 3pm kick off I would be ok with the last 15 minutes but it will be my whole lesson.

Agree with a pp who says its to stop kids skiving, being sick, picked up early!

gunsandbanjos · 13/06/2016 22:30

Why on earth would you show a football match during school hours?

As others said why stop at just football? Rugby, cricket, snooker, athletics...

I don't dislike football, prefer rugby but watched the Ireland Sweden, and Italy Belgium matches today.

But showing it in school? Just no.

Choccywoccyhooha · 13/06/2016 22:33

No, I don't think there should be special arrangements made to watch it,especially not at primary school. It's just a game that some people like, not a big, meaningful event.

pristinechristine · 13/06/2016 22:37

I think I'd make a complaint if DD's school (primary) showed the football. There's nothing educational about it and it's only the bloody group stage.

Bails2014 · 13/06/2016 22:41

No one in either of our families has ever supported football so I would find it very odd if our child was forced to watch football at school, I'd rather they actually did some sport than watched it on a screen.

JinRamen · 13/06/2016 22:48

Our primary school are showing it. Compulsory watching. I asked if there were alternatives for those not interested. There isn't. I want to complain but can't quite figure out the wording yet.

PortiaCastis · 13/06/2016 22:48

At 17 my dd would not be watching bloody football if they paid her to. She has far more important things going on.I hope the small dc who watch the game do not see any further idiotic violence

nicxy · 13/06/2016 22:49

Eldest DSs school showing it / letting them stay late if they want to and we agree - there are alternative activities for those who don't want to watch. What's ticked me off is that the school are charging the children - whether they're watching the match or not! Not impressed.

arethereanyleftatall · 13/06/2016 22:50

I would imagine there would be far more complaints for a school who shows it, than a school which doesn't.

BigcatLittlecat · 13/06/2016 22:51

I teach in Wales and it is a historic game. We will have it on in hall and children can stay on in school til the end if they want! As a staff we don't mind. If the children don't want to watch it there will be other activities available.
All the people who say they would complain, why? There is so much that can be learnt through this game, school is there to teach your children many things.
As it happens the idea came from the head and our chair of governors will be there too!
As a teacher I aim to give my children memories to help them become rounded citizens of the world that they live in! This ticks all the boxes!

DustyCropHopper · 13/06/2016 22:53

We have had letters home with forms to sign to give permission for ours to watch the match, they are even offering the chance for them to stay until 4 to watch the whole match. I think it is nice for the children but not a necessity.

Balletblue · 13/06/2016 22:56

It's only an historic game if you are a fan of football. Otherwise it's just another sporting event.

TheFairyCaravan · 13/06/2016 22:57

I'm glad my kids have left school. I'd have been really pissed off if they'd have missed lessons for a bloody football match!

PortiaCastis · 13/06/2016 22:58

If there's any more violence the game will not take place.

Potcallingkettle · 13/06/2016 23:00

Most schools don't have TV licenses these days. I can't see schools buying a license especially to stream this.

pristinechristine · 13/06/2016 23:02

Big cat can you explain what it is exactly that children will learn watching a football match?

Creampastry · 13/06/2016 23:02

My kids had better not be watching bloody football at school. England will probably be out of the uefa soon anyway.

GertrudeSmellsDivine · 13/06/2016 23:03

I don't mind them showing it as DS3 is missing games and a bit of a maths lesson but he doesn't like football at all so I'm giving him a note so he can come home and do a past paper practice for his science exam which is the next day. I will be very annoyed if school make a fuss about that.

RubyGates · 13/06/2016 23:03

Why is this even a thing? Good grief. I will be somewhat miffed if I discover that DS2's school have plans to this.

Ineedmorelemonpledge · 13/06/2016 23:05

I teach in Wales and it is a historic game.

^^ This

It's not all about England. Smile

It's been 58 years since Wales played in an event like this as a country. Before man walked on the moon. All our games in this event are pretty historic.

Which is why this happened on Saturday at the Eiffel Tower. That and the tributes to the behaviour of our fans. Even then I read negative comments from England fans observing the celebration of Wales.

So sad that other countries in UEFA think more about us than a country in our own Kingdom.

Just let us have our time to bask in the sunshine.

EURO 2016 - should children watch Eng vs Wales at school
ChickensArrest · 13/06/2016 23:07

OX3Mum if you're from the school I think you are, then you're mistaken, they are showing the match, so no need to be distraught. Unless you disapprove of it being shown? Pretty bad form coming on here to start a thread about it IMO.

CointreauVersial · 13/06/2016 23:11

Our school is screening it, and I think it's unnecessary and ridiculous.

What's wrong with watching on catch-up??

Having said that, it won't affect my lot at all - DD2 is on a school trip in Normandy, DD1 couldn't give a toss about football, and DS is on study leave so won't be at school at all that day.

Balletblue · 13/06/2016 23:14

But a football match is not an historic event. Historic events change the course of a country's history. This is about football history. I could understand if it were the opening of the London Olympics or the eclipse of the sun.