Stop Closing ESPS for polling - Use the Church instead

The situation has become ridiculous. There are plenty of alternatives. Why should our children have to miss out on so many days of education? And the knock on effect to working parents is disruptive and expensive.

Hi Nathalie, I was just passed on the reply you have mentioned in your comment by Zac Goldsmith. Was it from a lady called Cathy Potter? Thank you, Hero x

Why should our children have to miss out on a whole day of education when a church is barely used!!

Why should our children have to miss out on a whole day of education when a church is barely used!!

I am in complete agreement with the objections to repeatedly using ESPS as a polling station. I have raised an objection with the council on number of occasions. The latest response from the council was not only disappointing but showed a total lack of support for the school, the staff, and the pupils. It actually blamed the school for closing claiming that it was the school’s decision to close. The council stated that they have a right to use the building and that the school could choose to remain open whilst hundreds of adults enter the school premises to cast their votes - not a situation that I would be happy with as a parent, and not a situation that would normally be allowed to occur by any council. How is it that the council can decide (just because it suits them) that for that one day our children’s safety is okay to be compromised. Thankfully the school are putting the children first and are closing as it is the only way to ensure the pupils safety and the security of the school. The council also confirmed that the use of the school as a polling station saves them money as it is free - for them. What about the cost to the children for their loss of a days education? Or their parents having to take time off work (again!)? The council are demonstrating that a free polling station is more important to them than the safety of the children in one of the borough’s largest primary schools. Pretty disgusting.

Use an alternative location for polling

I totally agree with the aim of this petition. My partner and I have thought this for a number of years and I am very pleased to see this petition. It's simply not right to take the children out of school for this when there are surely alternatives such as the one suggested. And as said there is a particular impact on families where both parents are working.

I completely agree: use the Church instead.

Parents are criticised for taking children out of school for holidays/family events etc, yet the council can just shut the school for elections with no regard whatsoever for children's education or the working arrangements of their parents. There is an alternative so it should be used.

The current system is unfriendly to families; children miss out on their lessons and parents have a stressful time finding alternative childcare arrangements

Let this be the last time East Sheen Primary School has to close because the council needs to use it as a polling station.

Would like to add that the children have lost 4 day’s education over 2 years as a result. It is unreasonable and puts the school at our children at a disadvantage compared to other local schools as a result. I had raised this previously at the general election and not received a response from the council. I consider it lazy planning.

With school attendance figures an important part of OFSTED inspection, you have to question why the council think it is acceptable to shut the school when there is an alternative location (The Elim Church) less than 200 meters away, particularly 2 weeks before Year 6 SATs.

Please find another venue, so our school doesn't have to be closed for a full day each time there is an election

Please prioritise our children's education.

I feel strongly that an alternative location should be found.

The school shouldn’t be closed to accommodate a polling station. Government ministers and education chiefs always say how important every day at school is - well apart from Richmond Council, who don’t seem to agree with this, or be able to be able to look at any alternatives apart from just shutting the school.

This not only impacts on children’s learning but is also very difficult for working mothers.

Totally agree. I think it is very sad that in an area where there are plenty of other available empty buildings to use one of the largest schools is forced to close for polling. All the kids miss a day of education and working parents are hugely inconvenienced both financially and timewise.

It's better to get hold on shirts so the children they cannot lose the day off school