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Euro 2016: Kingswinford pupils being let out early to watch England v Wales

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A school in the Black Country is letting its pupils go home early to watch England take on Wales in Euro 2016 – despite the national furore surrounding term-time absences.

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Summerhill School in Kingswinford will run a 'consolidated' school day next Thursday as the two neighbouring nations battle it out.

It appears the Lodge Lane school will be the only one in the Dudley borough planning the change, with others in Staffordshire, Walsall, Wolverhampton and Sandwell also sticking to a normal day.

Ben Warren, headteacher at Summerhill School, said: "At Summerhill we think it's important to listen to our students and offer them a fully-rounded educational experience which strikes a healthy balance between work and play.

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"In light of the anticipated popularity of the England game next Thursday we have decided to run a consolidated day, as we have done in the past on occasions such as the last day of term, to allow our children to receive a full quota of lessons and still have time to make it home to watch the match with their family and friends.

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"By omitting lunch and shortening each of the six lessons in the day by 10 minutes, we are able to finish the school day at 1.10pm rather than 3.15pm. We informed all parents of this change three weeks ago and they've been very supportive.

"The school will remain open in the afternoon for any pupils who wish to remain for supervised study, but we anticipate that all 1,000 of our pupils will be working with extra diligence in the morning on Thursday so that they can enjoy watching the game."

Their decision comes after a school in Southampton reversed plans to allow pupils to go home to watch the match following criticism. Term-time holiday campaigners had accused the school of 'hypocrisy'.

Councillor Patrick Harley, who represents the Kingswinford South Ward, said the decision should rest with headteachers.

He said: "The Euros only come to the area every four years and with it being against Wales it is a unique event and we expect to do well. But ultimately each individual school should make the best decision for them."