Football being shown in school

[TheGirlOnTheLanding]

DD is thoroughly pissed off that they're going to be made to watch the Scotland match in class this afternoon. I thought it was because it was football (she's not a fan) and possibly because the boys in the class would be louder and lairier than usual (as TBF I know she has got a lot of 'big personalities' in that class). This morning she expressed another thing I hadn't thought of: 'There's no choice so it's forced nationalism, Mum.' On reflection, I think she has a point. On the other hand, it's a big event and I suspect the school thinks there will be a lot of unauthorised absences if they don't let them watch. But if they want them to have the opportunity to see the match, maybe they could send them home early so they can if they choose to - but don't make them all sit through it in school time? How are other schools dealing with it?

If I were your DD I’d be asking for a quiet place to sit in whilst the football is on. Can’t think of anything worse than having to sit through a football match! You could always phone school at lunch and tell them you’re picking her up for an emergence dental appointment 😜

I would want to be forced to watch football either. Surely the teacher can give her an activity to do?

I had a forced day off work once when England were playing Brazil. At least I had the option of having a lie in instead of watching it.

@TheLovelinessOfDemons well, exactly - you could watch or not, as you chose. I suppose schools generally aren't great at allowing free choice though.

@Soontobe60 I can't pick her up, unfortunately - I'm working.

Surely they aren't going to be 'forced' to watch TV? I would imagine anyone not interested can draw/read/etc instead.

Forced nationalism...not really! She's not being forced to clap and cheer and sing the Flower of Scotland.

It's being shown in my dc's school too. One of the players is a former pupil of the school so they want to support him I suppose.

@SoMuchForSummerLove erm, yes, I think not clapping and cheering would go down pretty badly! So effectively she is being coerced into it.

My ds is interested in watching. Not sure he's cheering on scotland though

'Forced nationalism' is an interesting way of looking at it certainly! I doubt they'll be made to wear pkedge allegiance to Scotland or anything! Of all the things to get wound up about, an afternoon off lessons at the end of term is not one of them

It is a big deal for Scotland, so I can see why they’re doing it but I agree there should be some other quiet activities on offer or even just extra play time.

@LadyCatStark they're 14 so don't really have play time - they could go home though without the complications that would create for younger kids.

[quote TheGirlOnTheLanding]@SoMuchForSummerLove erm, yes, I think not clapping and cheering would go down pretty badly! So effectively she is being coerced into it. [/quote]
Don't be daft, how (or who) is going to force her into clapping and cheering? If this was my DD she'd just get her sketchbook out.

So not seeing what the big deal is here. Going to go down badly - how? With who? Is she going to be reported for not clapping loudly enough?

This happened when I was at school, too - although plenty of people didn’t clap and cheer. Not everyone even supported England, and there was always a good percentage of the class drawing rather than watching.

@ticktockriojaoclock I think she'd rather do schoolwork than watch football!

I assume she's welcome to read or draw or get on with some homework instead.

I'd tell her to use her time wisely and stop complaining. We don't always get to do what we want.

Can she just take a book and try and block it out? Good practice for living in uni accommodation and shared houses in the future

They are showing the match at my children’s school too, but they are offering alternatives for those who don’t want to watch. Neither of mine are into football but have said they’re still going to watch as it’s an experience they’d like to be part of. I don’t see the harm as long as there’s an option in place for children who would rather do something else?

The majority of dc will be looking forward to watching this and will probably find its one of the memories they have of school which endures.
It’s 90 minutes of your DS’s life. What does she want to happen? It’s cancelled to suit her? Perhaps it’s an excellent lesson for her to develop the important skill of acceptance and compromise.

*There's no choice so it's forced nationalism, Mum.'"

Sure she definitely said that 😂

When children have missed a year of schooling due to the pandemic, and Scottish education is dire and plummeting down the international league tables, what do the SNP offer as a catch up strategy?
Wasting two hours of lesson time to watch a stupid football match!

I can remember my school showing an England game (world cup) in the main hall. You could watch if you wanted or stay in class where most teachers put on a movie instead.
I agree she shouldn't be made to watch or be around it to be honest.

Is supporting your country’s football team a form of nationalism? If not i can’t see how it’s forced nationalism.

I wouldn’t be that enthusiastic about watching it either but i’m sure she’ll be able to do something else while it’s on.

My DC are Welsh, going to school in England - would definitely annoy me if they were invited to watch an England match with either no alternative or without other matches also being considered at later dates.

😂😂😂😂😂😂

@Babdoc

When children have missed a year of schooling due to the pandemic, and Scottish education is dire and plummeting down the international league tables, what do the SNP offer as a catch up strategy? Wasting two hours of lesson time to watch a stupid football match!

I don't know about the state of Scottish education but I'm as baffled as you that this would be considered a good idea in light of the last year...particularly for students working towards GCSEs/Highers.

Bonkers.