Children at a primary school are being told to have a lie-in on Monday so they can have a "great night" during the Euro2020 final on Sunday.
Phil Brooke, a self-declared footie fan and headteacher at Alexandra Park Primary School in Stockport, has told pupils to come in at 10:30am on Monday so they can make the most of the evening without "worrying about school in the morning".
After a historic win against Denmark on Wednesday, England will now face Italy in the much-anticipated Euro2020 match at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
Mr Brooke said it’s been a tough year for pupils, parents and teachers and he just wants everyone to properly enjoy the night.
“My thinking is just that I want the children to have a great night and not have to worry about school in the morning,” he told the Manchester Evening News.
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“And I want the parents to have a great night too.
“I have two little girls myself and I know they need to go to school but this way everyone can just celebrate it and really enjoy it.
“If they can have a fantastic memory of the night, that’s the important thing.”
Mr Brooke said the response has been overwhelmingly positive with a few parents writing in to the school to say thank you.
“I’m like everyone else - I’ve only seen hardship for England and losses over the years. So I’ll be enjoying the game on Sunday as much as anyone," he said.
One parent wrote into the school to say: “Firstly thank you for Monday - I was dreading getting up early to do the school run! Come on England!”
Another parent said it was a “great idea” to have a late start, while another commented: “Great idea, hope the kids (and staff) manage to keep excitement at just the right level.”
Children will be able to head into school at the usual time of 8.40am for 9am if they wish.
But Mr Brooke - who admits to being a huge football fan - said his pupils deserve a great night after a difficult year under coronavirus restrictions.
“Over the last 16 months it’s been really difficult but it’s also been really nice as it’s brought people together,” he said.
“We’ve tried to do a few things to make it easier for everyone. The children have not been able to go to birthday parties this last year so every month every child who has a birthday has a party in class. We have done as much as we can.
“This afternoon we’re going to buy them all an ice cream.
“They’ve all come in today in their football kits.
“And then in school on Monday we’ll be doing fun activities linked to the football.”
