School's out for the Euros
Debate sparked as West Berkshire students allowed to ditch lessons to watch England v Wales
DEBATE has been sparked following the decision by some schools in West Berkshire to allow pupils to ditch lessons and watch this afternoon’s (Thursday) vital Euro 2016 group match between England and Wales.
The match will kick off at 2pm and will see two home nations compete in the finals of a major football competition for the first time in 20 years.
Of the secondary schools in West Berkshire, at least two will be allowing pupils to watch the game on school premises while one disgruntled parent contacted the Newbury Weekly News to say that an unnamed school was allowing pupils to leave early in order to watch it.
Other schools will be running lessons as usual.
Both Trinity School, Newbury and John O’ Gaunt School, Hungerford, have decided to give pupils the choice to watch the match or continue with lessons.
Deputy headteacher at Trinity School Brendan Hanlon said: “We want to create a student community which they can contribute to.
“We had a vote through our ‘Student Voice’, which is run by our headboy and headgirl, to allow children to decide if they wanted to watch the game.
“Those who did can watch it on a screen set up in a special room supervised by members of staff.
“However, surprisingly there were quite a number who voted to continue with lessons.”
Kennet School, Thatcham, chose lessons over the football with headteacher Paul Dick explaining: “In our opinion education is a top priority and children don’t spend enough time in school as it is.
“However, we do want to encourage children to take part in sports and so we will be showing a recording of the game in the hall after school for anyone who wants to stay.”
The headteacher at Park House School, Derek Peaple, who has also chosen to continue with lessons wrote to parents, saying: “In view of the current focus on school attendance and issue of holidays taken during term time, I do not feel it would be appropriate to either close the school early or suspend lessons so that the game can be watched live.”
The question of whether lessons should finish early prompted many parents to comment on the Newbury Weekly News Facebook page with arguments for and against being put forward.
Samantha Wallington commented: “My son’s school have refused to close early or allow children to watch in lessons.
“It’s school as usual, which I’m happy with. They are allowed to watch the start during lunch and pupils can stay late and watch the end of the match in the hall.”
Janice Moth also felt schools should continue as normal, commenting: “I don’t understand how can they justify letting the kids off for football when there is all the controversy about parents taking their kids out of school for a family holiday.”
However, many parents felt the game was sufficiently important for children to be encouraged to watch it.
Andy Child commented: “I think it’s an excellent idea.
“It will be like a short holiday without a fine.
“It’s a national sporting event; some schools are inviting parents to have lunch and watch the game at school.”
Mark Nicholls agreed writing: “Great idea if that’s what they want to do.”
He added that, as it would mean them missing only about an hour of schooling, it wouldn’t “harm the kids”.“
What do you think about some schools suspending lessons to allow children to watch the match? Email your comments to chris.ord@newburynews.co.uk
