SCHOOLS OUT FOR FOOTIE
Renfrewshire pupils will cheer on Scotland in Euros opener from their classes
A headmaster has broken rank and announced his entire school will be able to watch the Scotland match this afternoon... from the classroom.
Renfrew High supremo Billy Burke has already looked out his Scotland top for the big match.
And he revealed: “It’s a moment in history not to be missed.”
His stance encouraged all Renfrewshire school heads to make a decision on Scotland’s Euro 2020 opener against the Czech Republic.
It prompted Gryffe High to join in, encouraging pupils to don football
tops from national sides and join the party.
Headteacher Colin Johnson ruled kids could have an earlier lunch and haggis, neeps and tatties is on the menu.
Mr Johnson said: “We will also be selling cans of Irn Bru and Tunnocks Caramel Wafers and Teacakes.
“We need a little fun back after such difficult times, and this gives us a great opportunity to do just that.”
Renfrewshire Council said it was giving heads free reign on what they wanted to do.
But other schools including Johnstone High will let their pupils tune in to the big game.
And St Mary’s Primary in Paisley joined the Euro gang, encouraging kids to wear something Scottish, and said: “Let’s get behind our fantastic team! Go Scotland!”
It’s the national men’s side’s first tournament in 23 years and kickso f f at Hampden at 2pm.
Renfrew’s Mr Burke said: “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!”
He had been responding to a tweet made by the Times Educational Supplement which posed the dilemma for heads.
The paper had posed the question given the potential for “attendance issues”.
It said: “Should headteachers 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.
“P re t e n d i t ’ s not happening and come down hard on anyone who claims it is, because football’s rubbish anyway?”
Afterwards Mr Burke said he has already looked out his Scotland top.
Labour’s education spokesman Michael Marra said it was a “significant cultural moment which will bind the nation together and young people need to have the opportunity to be part of it”.
He added: “Near the end of the toughest of school years, the Government should give the green light for the game to be shown in every classroom across the country.”
Larry Flanagan, the general secretary of the EIS, say schools should “turn it into an event for pupils”.
He added: “Schools should be encouraged to do it.
“It is down to schools whether they allow it but I am sure a lot of teachers would welcome the opportunity to watch it too.”
A spokesma n for Renfrewshire Council added: “There is no council- wide polic y on this particular issue – head teachers are free to make their own decisions over school activity.”