Football 'could help exam revision'

Exam goals: World Cup can help exam stress

The World Cup could help pupils revising for their exams, says a head teachers' leader.

John Dunford, general secretary of the Secondary Heads Association, says that following the progress of England's footballers could be a welcome distraction from exam tensions.

"Football, like everything else, is good for you in moderation," said Mr Dunford.

John Dunford says pupils still need to realise that exams are the priority

"It's good for pupils taking exams to have something else to think about - and I hope this will divert them for some of the time and help them to relax."

"There is time for both revision and football - but pupils have to get things into perspective and realise that exams are more important."

This could be the perfect excuse for teenagers' burdened with revision for GCSEs and A-levels.

As he says that there is little sign that interest in the World Cup would make any negative impact on exam results.

"Those who are going to revise, are still going to revise," he says.

Disruption

The early morning kick-off for the England match against Nigeria on Wednesday meant that some schools had a delayed start to lessons, with the game being shown to pupils on big screens.

But so far this has been the only school day where an England match has clashed with lessons, with the previous games played at the weekend or during the half-term break.

England's next World Cup encounter will take place at the weekend, avoiding any more disruption to lessons or exams.