Wasted school time

They learnt words. They learnt a tune. They learnt to all sing the same thing together at the same time. They learnt to follow the teacher conducting. They learnt to stand together in a group and work together as a team to learn and perform the song. Some of them learnt to act enthusiasm for something they don’t much care about (though I think you’ll find there are fewer of those than you think). They learnt about how a TV outside broadcast works, and how to deliver a performance for broadcast. Oh, and they had fun. How is any of that a waste of time?

At least those children are actually in school and having fun. What is alarming is that figures are now showing that the non attendance of thousands of children is not as a result of Covid.

Nanof3, I'd be less concerned about the singing (which most children like to do) than the fact that it's about the football.

Lovely. I think primary school teachers are well skilled at organising a variety of fun activities. Singing a football song will have been one very small part of the week filled with art, dance, drama, outdoor play etc. One child might love football another might love painting.
Learning facts all day is overrated.

If it puts a smile on their faces i`m all for it.
We have had enough sadness to put up with so go for it kiddies.

Heaven forbid that children should have any fun, singing and football should be banned.
Now, what I want is Facts. Teach these boys and girls nothing but Facts. Facts alone are wanted in life. Plant nothing else, and root out everything else. You can only form the mind of reasoning animals upon Facts: nothing else will ever be of any service to them. -Mr Gradgrind.

I didn’t like it. What if the children don’t support England, or (like me) don’t give a damn either way? I’m all for singing together, but there are better things to sing.

There is far more to education than reading, writing and arithmetic. Friendship, personal development, sports and exercise etc.

The children need some fun after the last 16 months.

I’m tempted to say lighten up ! They won’t have spent hours learning the song, it’s good to sing together too

I take your point but they looked to me like they were having a lot of fun and just joyful to back with their friends and teachers.