Several schools will be opening late after England's 1am kick off following manager Tuchel telling parents to 'write an excuse for school and let them watch'06:30, 03 Jul 2026Updated 06:31, 03 Jul 2026As England have made it to the round of 16 and will play Mexico on Monday, Tuchel tells parents to "write an excuse for school and let them watch."‌The Three Lions will come head-to-head with co-hosts Mexico at 1am on Monday due to the time difference. Hence, should the game go to penalties, it could go on until close to 4am.‌Following England's last-minute victory against DR Congo on Wednesday, head coach Thomas Tuchel said, "There's so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years. Let them watch."‌Following the manager's advice, some schools across the country are allowing pupils to arrive a couple of hours late.However, this has not been received well by some officials.‌Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stated that students should still arrive at school on time despite the 1am kick off.Philipson told BBC Newsnight: "I'm not going to make requests on parents around bedtime."But, she added, "please let's try and get our kids in on Monday too."‌In past World Cup tournaments, schools have paused lessons to allow children to watch games in the knockout stages, but the time difference of this year's competition creates some logistical issues.The issue has seen parents divided as to whether their little one's should stay up to watch the match and be allowed to start school at a later time.A Downing Street spokesperson said: "Parents will make their own decisions... We want everyone to enjoy the game, but children should be in school on Monday."‌Some schools have already responded to Tuchel's advice, allowing some students to start school later or planning on showing the game first thing.Steve Heal, headteacher of Malmesbury Church of England Primary School in Wiltshire, said: "I've asked parents not to tell their children the result before they arrive at school because we want everyone to experience the ups and downs together.‌"School really matters and attendance is so important, but we also know just how significant these international sporting events are for children."London Colney Primary School confirmed it will screen a full replay at 9am in the school hall, while Smith’s Wood primary, in the West Midlands, said it would show highlights in assembly.Elburton Primary School will also invite children into school early, showing an 'as-live' screening at 7.40am. Whipton Barton Federation in Exeter will be allowing children to turn up at school in football kits and posted on Facebook: "Every child in school on Monday will be automatically entered into our raffle to win one of two World Cup footballs".‌Schools under the same multi-academy trust in County Durham - Greenland, Bloemfontein, and Burnhope – have said pupils can arrive any time before 10am on Monday and will not be marked as late.The schools posted on social media: "the opportunity to enjoy the occasion without worrying about the school run quite so early".Purwell Primary School in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, will be keeping registers open until 10.30am.Article continues belowIn a statement on Facebook the school wrote: "While it is unlikely that many primary-aged children will stay up to watch the game, we appreciate that some families may have a later night than usual."Schools allowing pupils to arrive late:Purwell Primary School (Hitchin, Hertfordshire) – Registers will remain open until 10.30am on Monday to allow families a later start after the England game.Castle Hill Primary School (Basingstoke, Hampshire) – Pupils can arrive from 9.30am instead of the usual 8.35am start so families can enjoy the match and still get enough sleep.Greenland Primary School (County Durham) – School will open as normal but pupils can arrive any time until 10am without being marked late.Bloemfontein Primary School (County Durham) – Registers will remain open until 10am on Monday morning.Burnhope Primary School (County Durham) – Pupils will also be able to arrive up until 10am.Parents have been left divided by the decision. One commented: "You must be joking, the children's wellbeing and education comes first." Another said: Let the children live life, one match is not going to ruin their education."