Norwich school allows pupils to arrive late

A primary school has allowed its pupils to arrive late so those watching the Euros final can have a lie in.

Pupils at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School, in Norwich, have been told to arrive no later than 11:30 BST on Monday.

Assistant head teacher Claire Furness said while the school took attendance “very seriously” it was a “cultural event to celebrate”.

England play Spain in Berlin at 20:00 BST on Sunday – the first time the men’s side have played in a major final outside England.

“We have a lot of children from Spain, Portugal and South America who will be supporting Spain, and obviously a lot of our community will be supporting England,” Ms Furness said.

“We know the children will be watching that match, not all of them, but a large majority, and we know they’re going to go to bed late so let’s celebrate this cultural event.”

Ms Furness said 52% of the school’s pupils spoke English as a second language and many had enjoyed the tournament so far.

She said Monday morning would be considered an “authorised absence”, and an email had been sent to parents – as well as a note on a whiteboard outside the school.

“Obviously we take attendance very seriously… and we’re quite tenacious about making sure our children come to school,” she added.

“However, there are times when you have to celebrate and accept, and this is one of those times.”

Many shoppers in Norwich agreed that children should be allowed to stay up late to watch Sunday’s match.

“It’s one of those moments, England in the final – let them share the experience,” said Bo Dunford, 58.

“I played a lot of football when I was younger and there’s no way my mum would have let me miss that.”

Shirley Taylor, 61 and her husband Paul, 67, from Halesworth, Suffolk, agreed.

“I remember in 1969 staying up all night to watch the moon landing and it was a symbolic moment and I’d never forget it,” said Mrs Taylor.

“It’s a one-off and a memorable moment that they can’t miss.”

Mr Taylor added: “But they’d have to be in their pyjamas and be ready to go straight to bed.

“My parents would have done the same.”

Not all teachers agreed that children should be allowed to stay up late.

Sarah Harvard, 56, who lives in Cromer said: “I’m a primary school teacher so if they’re under 10 they should be in bed.

“[My students] will probably be staying up late and will be a mess the next day. I think it’s too late.”

While her daughter, Silvie Tyler, 20, joked: “Mum wouldn’t have let me stay up.”