A school has come under fire for showing England’s World Cup game during lessons despite the match clashing with GCSE mock exams preparation.

Oriel High School in Crawley has been criticised for playing England’s opener against Iran during lessons, despite Year 10 and 11 students having mock exams throughout the week.

One staff member, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed that some students “refused to go to their exams because they wanted to watch the football”.

Oriel Headteacher Philip Stack denies that any students missed their exams.

The staff member said: “A directive went out to teachers that they should cancel lessons to watch the football. This was for all students whether or not they would be interested.

“Staff should not be put in a position where we have to argue with students and go against our core values.

“There’s no place for it in a school where Year 11s are studying for their mocks.”

Concerns were also raised about how the game being shown at the school would affect LGBTQ+ students given the controversy over Qatar holding the tournament.

An internal memo to staff seen by The Argus asked that “mentors, whether or not you are interested, have the game on show during mentor time and that period five teachers do likewise".

To cover the lost learning time, the memo asked that students be provided with “meaningful, consolidation work” but that this should “not be new learning as that would disadvantage the students watching the game”.

The memo also shows that Year 11 mock exams had been due to take place later in the week. Mocks have been taking place across the week, including on Monday during England’s game.

The anonymous staff member claimed that many teachers went against the directive to show the game during lessons.

Headteacher Mr Stack said: “Lessons were not cancelled, but the option of showing the game was given to staff if they and some students wanted to watch it whilst other students were set meaningful work to do instead.

“This was consolidation work, as opposed to new learning, so that those students watching the game were not disadvantaged, but meaningful work, nonetheless.

“Year 11 mock examinations started on Monday and went ahead as scheduled and no student refused to undertake the exam in the afternoon.

The Argus: Oriel High School in CrawleyOriel High School in Crawley

“Our LGBTQ+ students were consulted in advance and were understanding of our school’s approach to the England game.

“The school has not received any correspondence whatsoever, whether verbal or written, about our approach to the England game on Monday.”

England’s first game of the World Cup took place on Monday at 1pm. None of the Three Lions’ potential fixtures for the rest of the tournament fall within school opening hours.

England beat Iran 6-2 in their first group stage game. They will next play the USA today, Friday, and Wales on Tuesday.