Stop Closing ESPS for polling - Use the Church instead

I strongly object to the school being closed. Arranging emergency childcare was incredibly stressful and costly for all concerned. The council must find an alternate solution to the problem they have created.

I strongly object to the school being closed. Arranging emergency childcare was incredibly stressful and costly for all concerned. The council must find an alternate solution to the problem they have created.

Highly inconvenient for parents, especially those that work full time and child care is a high cost.

This causes a huge headache for hundreds of working parents & the children are missing out on their education - for the use of 1 room in the school !!!

It's hard to understand why the school has to close for polling day. Either keep the school open when it's being used as a polling station, or, preferably, use another local venue.

I am new to the school and did not know it was used as a polling station. I think this is chocking due to the impact this has on working parents. Since there are obvious alternatives I cannot believe these have not been used. This must change!

My son studies in the school and I support this petition

I hear that some councils also use pubs. Must find an alternative

Closing the school on polling days causes disruption and additional child care costs. There is a polling station down the road at the library which is never busy.

My child does go to this school, however I don’t think schools should be used as polling stations. Education paid for by government is important and shouldn’t be missed, else why has the government introduced fines to parents for taking children out of school at term time. Keep schools open during term time wherever possible.

This is ridiculous, aren’t working parents and educating children beneficial to the economy. What on earth is wrong with using the local church hall??

Education comes first.

Why should our children lose out on a days education, when you could use a church hall instead. Utterly ridiculous.

Surely there are alternatives to hosting this rather than using a primary school! I’m shocked that it happens

There are several more appropriate locations in the local area that should be used as polling stations before any primary school is asked to close. Please ensure this no longer happens as it disrupts our children’s education and causes unnecessary childcare issues for hundreds of families. Thank you.

Unacceptable to use a school for a polling station where there are so many other places that can be used instead which doesn't impact children's education.

Compromising school safety by letting anyone onto the school grounds. Find a different venue. Agree with all the comments others have made.

Bloody annoying to close school for every election

Please stop closing ESPS for polling station.

Previously the school did not close even when used as a polling station, but even if that could become possible again this would still not be ideal for safety reasons so indeed an alternative venue is needed.