Forum Topic

Southfields School closure for election

Anyone have a view on why a headmaster should shut his school for a day during term, so that it can be used as a polling station? Surely there are other properties suitable on a Thursday which don't affect the schooling of children. I assume there is a financial reward for holding the poll at the school (Southfields Primary).

Justin Adams ● 4501d12 Comments

From the letter that went out to parents the closure was more of a safety issue. Obviously you cannot have unknowns entering the site throughout the day. The church hall opposite the playing field or the scout hut on rugby rd would have been a better idea but perhaps there is a reason why they couldn't be used.

Apple Leiper ● 4501d

My children went to Southfield school from 1989 to 2005 and initally the whole school closed, and then it changed to just the nursery.  It has always been thus!

Anne Brown ● 4501d

Funny how the schools can close in the middle of the week, creating a childcare nightmare for thousands of parents. Hopefully they have understanding employers, or does it come out of their holiday allowance?If only the schools were a little more flexible when children take a day off to attend a family function!

Kim Rugg ● 4501d

Parents were given fair warning. Letter went out weeks ago

Apple Leiper ● 4501d

My children go to this school and we had a letter from the Head about the closure for these elections. The Head and the school had worked hard to try and prevent the closure and came up with lots of ideas as to how it could be prevented and so that just part of the school could be used. However these ideas were rejected by whichever body it is that decides these things - it wasnt the Head's decision, I don't believe.

Claire Kelson ● 4501d

It's not uncommon for schools to be used as polling stations - I used to get a day off school every time there were elections and that was 30 years ago.  It was only the school hall that was used but as has been said, you don't want thousands of strangers wandering around a school full of kids.

Ben Smith ● 4501d

The only realistic way to end this is to move polling day to the weekend.

Vlod Barchuk ● 4501d

There is no reason for not using the scout hut, but the Montesuri school would also have to close that day and also the after school club that meet there.We were not asked and anyway the council only offer a nominal amount to use the building.

Glenn Young ● 4500d

Hmmm I wonder if that would increase or diminish turnout..

Clair Connolly ● 4500d

Seems from replies that it may not be the school who are responsible. So maybe the local council? Or central government? Maybe they would like to explain to employers why so many working parents in the area take tomorrow off work - all the local childminders will be smiling though I guess

Justin Adams ● 4500d

I used to live in Belgium where voting was on Sunday and compulsory (fines). There were about 14 parties to choose from, between the Flemish extreme right to extreme left with every shade of moderates in between and the Wallons extreme rights to extreme left including every shade of in between.No wonder they make it compulsory.And when they had no government for over a year, no one noticed the difference!

Kim Rugg ● 4499d

Looks like it might be decided between the local authority and the Electoral Commission: http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/electoral-administrator/polling-place-reviews/polling-place-review-appeals

Ben Smith ● 4499d