Following England’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Mexico in the World Cup during the early hours of July 6, school absence rates spiked significantly across state-funded secondary schools in England. The Department for Education reported that 8.7% of pupils missed at least a half-day of school that Monday, marking the highest absence rate recorded on any Monday during the summer term. This percentage translates to approximately 284,000 students being absent for some portion of the school day.

The match was originally scheduled to begin at 1 a.m. UK time but was delayed by storms, eventually kicking off at 2 a.m. The extended game concluded around 4 a.m., posing challenges for students expected to attend school later that morning. In England, the school day is traditionally split into two sessions—morning and afternoon—so absence can be recorded separately for each.

Education Minister Olivia Bailey, who has since left her position, addressed the issue on the morning following the game, encouraging students to attend school despite potential tiredness. “They might feel a bit tired, but it’ll be a good day at school, and it’s really important they get in there, because every day at school matters, even when you’re feeling a bit sleepy,” Bailey stated.

The figures highlight the impact of late-night sporting events on school attendance, as many pupils appeared to miss classes following the nationwide excitement over England’s win. While the government stresses the importance of regular attendance for educational progress, the data reflects the challenge of balancing national celebrations with school commitments.