Scotland’s men’s football team, after qualifying in dramatic circumstances for Euro 2020 last November, will play their first match at a major tournament for 23 years on Monday.
Which presents something of an issue for schools - because kick-off is at 2pm.
Given the potential for, ahem, “attendance issues”, what does a headteacher do?
Should they:
-
Embrace it and show the game (applying Covid safety protocols, of course).
-
Advise staff to carry on almost as normal, but turn a blind eye to the constant bobbing of heads towards screens under desks.
-
Pretend it’s not happening and come down hard on anyone who claims it is, because football’s rubbish anyway.
Six days until the Scotland men’s football team plays its biggest match in nearly quarter of a century - at 2pm on a school day. Could present some, ahem, “attendance issues”. If you’re a headteacher, what do you do?
- Henry Hepburn (@Henry_Hepburn) June 8, 2021
It seems as if many schools are planning to embrace the (now) rare occasion of Scotland making a big tournament. Some are showing the match, organising themed days and ingenious football-related fundraisers, and even finding ways to link Euro 2020 to curriculum topics.
Some have said that, after everything school staff and pupils have been through with Covid, the opportunity to share in an occasion like this should not be missed.
Euro 2020: Scotland players’ old schools send good luck messages
Scotland in the Euros: Why Scotland manager Steve Clarke would make a great headteacher
Football: How Scotland’s Euro 2020 heroes can be a catalyst for learning
Opinion: Why football can be a powerful force in education
Quick read: Alex Ferguson’s management tips for schools
Research: Use football to engage working-class boys, say academics
One teacher in the Highlands, responding to a Tes Scotland tweet about the conundrum facing schools, said: “I’d hope - this year more than ever - any headteacher would down tools with the whole school community and enjoy the match.”
Euro 2020 football fever hits schools in Scotland
Some heads said they would show the match, while others gave details of themed days they had planned - with staff and pupils wearing blue and enjoying Scottish delicacies, including Irn Bru slushies.
Morgan Academy in Dundee, meanwhile, has hit upon the idea of allowing the match to be watched in classes, but only if £500 can be raised towards the cost of a school defibrillator.
A moment in history not to be missed. We can’t pack out our theatre due to restrictions, but we’ll be cheering on the boys in classrooms around the school ???????
Let’s just hope our young people’s first taste of the men’s national team in a major tournament is a positive one! ⚽ https://t.co/cjJ2VRT1j4
- Billy Burke (@William_J_Burke) June 7, 2021
Another teacher tweeted: “My son came home and said they were getting a special treat in the class. They’re getting to watch the game - he’s P4 and loving it. Teacher has made it link to geography topic - genius!”
Billy Burke, headteacher at Renfrew High School, tweeted that the opening Scotland match against the Czech Republic on Monday was “a moment in history not to be missed”. He added: “We can’t pack out our theatre due to [Covid] restrictions, but we’ll be cheering on the boys in classrooms around the school.”
Colin Johnson, headteacher at Gryffe High, also in Renfrewshire, told Tes Scotland today that he had just come from the school’s music department, where a full class was playing a range of instruments to Yes Sir, I Can Boogie, the 1977 kitsch classic by Baccara that has become the unlikely anthem of the current Scotland team.
Mr Johnson added: “We are considering a ‘Euro-style’ non-uniform day, with any voluntary proceeds going to charity, with prizes for best Euro theme outfit...We aim to have the option of pupils watching the game - when I asked the class if they would like that, they got extremely excited.
“We need the fun back and this gives us a great opportunity.”
Mr Anderson got us in the mood today for next Monday! It’s “wear blue for @ScottishFA at Morgan Academy on the 14th June. @JohnnyLothian has committed to allowing the match to be viewed in classes if we can raise £500 for @interact_morgan defibrillator. #iawokeinthenightwiafever pic.twitter.com/t414B3RSQq
- Morgan Academy (@morganacademy1) June 7, 2021
John Rutter, headteacher at Inverness High School, said the match had been discussed by staff, and that “I dare say there will be a few screens around the school with the match on - and some tactical ignoring (or more blatant viewing) on my part”.
Another secondary head told Tes Scotland simply: “I think we might be quiet in the afternoon.”
And, pre-empting such a scenario, one physics teacher tweeted: “Anyone who misses their triple period with me on that day will find all the work on Google Classroom.”
After receiving some VERY persuasive letters from P7A requesting permission to watch Scotland’s match on Monday I have agreed to give the keen football fans their wish! ??????? ⚽️ #powerofpersuasion pic.twitter.com/EGUbjIFfNF
- Hermitage Park Primary (@hermitageparkps) June 8, 2021
