A London school is urging pupils to get some sleep before the 1am kick-off as attempting to stay awake all night is ‘likely to leave them extremely tired’
Ellie Ng and Aine Fox Press Association
16:54, 04 Jul 2026Updated 17:02, 04 Jul 2026
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has suggested children could watch the England match and and still make it into class on Monday morning(Image: Johnny Greig / GettyImages)
Some schools in London and around the country are allowing pupils to start late on Monday (July 6) so children can watch England v Mexico in the World Cup in the early hours or get up and watch it in the morning. It comes after England manager, Thomas Tuchel, said the Three Lions ‘especially’ need the support of children in the knockout last 16 match which kicks off at 1am on Monday.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has suggested children could watch the match and and still make it into class. Now two schools in Sutton, South London, plus schools in Salford and County Durham have confirmed they will extend register time or push back the start of lessons on Monday.
Oaks Park High School, in Carshalton, has said students should arrive at school by 9.45am. In a letter to parents, the school said: “We hope these arrangements strike the right balance between recognising what is likely to be a memorable sporting occasion and ensuring that students continue to benefit from being in school.”
The school is also “strongly” encouraging students who are planning to watch the game to try and get some sleep beforehand as staying awake throughout the night is “likely to leave them extremely tired”.
Oaks Park’s nearby sister school, Cheam High School, will start at 10am. Cheam’s headteacher told parents: “We would like to give our students and staff the opportunity to watch the match without worrying about getting up so early.”
Elsewhere across the country, Annfield Plain Infant School in Stanley, Co Durham, said register will be kept open until 10am instead of the usual 9am. In a post on Facebook, the school said: “With England progressing to the next round of the World Cup, Mr Tuchel gave us a call to make an attendance request for Monday, July 6.
“School will be open as usual from 7.30am for breakfast club. Lessons will begin as normal at 8.45am. However, as he then put big Harry Kane on the phone, we couldn’t say no to agreeing to keep the register open until 10am as opposed to 9am in case any families need that extra hour. This means that no-one will be marked late up until 10am. It’s coming home!”
Lessons at St Patrick’s RC High School in Salford will not start until 10am, although the school will open as normal at 8.30am to supervise children. It signed off its message to parents with: “Come on the Lions!!!”
‘Important’ for pupils to be in school on Monday
Education Secretary Ms Phillipson said she believed young people, depending on their age, could watch the match and still make it into lessons. She told the Press Association: “I’m not going to get involved in parents and their bedtime routines for their children, that isn’t a wise move for a politician. It’s a late game, but children can be in school the next day.”
Asked if she believed children can both watch the game and still make it into school, she said: “Well, I think they can, yes, but it’s for parents to decide how they manage this, and of course, it depends on the age of your children, how they feel.”
She also said she was “not going to seek to control what schools are doing” but added that it is “important” for pupils to be in school on Monday.
After England’s victory against DR Congo, Tuchel told reporters: “Write an excuse for school and let them watch football. Come on. There’s so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years. Let them watch.
“There will be a big, big match on in four days and we need the support of everyone, and especially of the children.”
London schools allowing late starts on MondayOaks Park High School, Carshalton – students should arrive at school by 9.45amCheam High School – Starting at 10am
If your London school is starting later on Monday let us know by emailing mylondonnewsdesk@reachplc.com
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