Pupils cheer on England after 'complete' spoiler ban

Primary school pupils had a Monday morning to remember as they watched England book their place in the World Cup quarter-finals "as live" - after a warning not to reveal the result.

The usual start to the week at Castleway Primary School, in Moreton, Wirral, was replaced with flags, bunting, England shirts and a hall full of excited children and teachers who had tried very hard not to find out the score.

The last-16 match against Mexico was played at 02:00 BST, so the school showed pupils a recording of the game in the morning - with one strict rule.

Students were told if they spoiled the result they would have to miss playtime.

Head teacher Stuart Mycroft-Armour said the "complete no-spoiler policy" applied to everyone, including teachers.

He said the event was about bringing the school together.

"It is just really important for us at our school to celebrate everything, to come together as a community," he said.

"Thanks to England, we have actually seen an uplift in our attendance this morning compared to week on week.

"So thanks, England."

Most pupils watched the match in the hall, while there was also a quieter screening in a classroom and non-football activities for children who did not want to join in.

At half-time, the big-match analysis came with oranges, apples, bananas and drinks.

Carter, who was wearing a Jordan Pickford shirt, said he hoped to follow the England goalkeeper one day.

"I try and achieve everything like in football and try my best," he said.

Tom, wearing a Jude Bellingham shirt, said he "just can't believe" the midfielder had scored twice in two minutes.

By full-time, the hall had erupted as England went through with a 3-2 win.

One pupil described the game as "really crazy", while another said England had "played really well".

Deputy head teacher Amy Morris said staff had avoided social media so they could share the occasion with the pupils.

"It is an amazing experience for us to be able to share it with the children," she said.

"In years to come, 10, 20 years, they are going to be saying, remember when we all experienced that together."

With England's next match against Norway falling on Saturday night at 22:00, the school may not have to stage another spoiler-free screening.

But pupils already had a message ready for the team: "Come on, England."

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