Use of Schools as Polling Stations
Local authority Returning Officers in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland have the power to designate schools as polling stations. Primary schools are often chosen due to their central location within communities, making them easily accessible.
Schools Subject to Use
The Returning Officer can request the use of any state-funded school, including:
- Local authority-maintained schools;
- Academies;
- Community schools;
- Foundation schools;
- Voluntary aided schools; and
- Voluntary controlled schools.
Local authorities will notify schools of these decisions. When a school is selected as a polling station, it must provide not only voting rooms but also access to toilets, washroom facilities, drinking water, and a minimum level of heating.
Polling hours are from 7 am to 10 pm, but access to the premises will be needed before and after these times.
Risk Assessment and School Closure
In determining whether a school should close entirely or partially on election day, consider the following:
- Whether the polling station area can be securely isolated from the rest of the school to prevent public access to students;
- How the public, including voters with disabilities, will access the polling station (e.g., crossing playgrounds or passing through school areas); and
- Any additional advice from the local authority.
Decision to Close the School
The decision to close the school is made by the headteacher, in consultation with the chair and/or governing body, as part of their responsibility for the day-to-day management of the school.
School Closure Decisions
There is no mandatory requirement for schools to close on polling day. The decision to close is at the discretion of the headteacher, based on several considerations:
- Whether students and the voting public can be kept apart;
- Availability of separate entrances and exits for students and voters;
- Ability to conduct voting without compromising the school's controlled access; and
- Ensuring that students' education is not disrupted.
Student safety should always be the primary concern when making this decision. This guidance is based on a 2016 letter to the Electoral Commission from former education secretary Nicky Morgan.
Making Up for Lost School Days
If the school closes on polling day due to safety concerns, staff may still attend to perform other duties. Making up a lost school day can sometimes be done at the end or beginning of a term. Local authorities might consider this at the start of the academic year.
Considerations for all types of schools include:
- Teacher Contracts: If staff are subject to the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD), teachers can work only 190 days plus five inset days annually. Some academies may have different arrangements.
- Notice to Parents: Parents are informed of term dates at the start of the year and may have plans based on these dates. Changing term dates could disrupt these plans.
- Changing an Inset Day: Schools could align an inset day with a polling day to avoid losing a teaching day. However, the impact on part-time staff and overall staff relations should be considered, and consultation with governing bodies is necessary.
After assessing all factors and potential impacts, closing the school and losing a teaching day might be the most prudent decision.
Compliance with Requests
Schools must comply with requests from the election's returning officer to use their premises as polling stations. This requirement applies to all state-funded schools, which must provide their rooms free of charge.
School Responsibilities During Elections
When an election is scheduled, your school may be requested to serve as a polling station. While the school staff will handle the necessary arrangements, it's important for everyone to understand the rules and know when the school might need to close.
Reimbursement and Regulations
The returning officer is only required to reimburse the school for:
- Any damage to the premises
- Any costs incurred from the use of the premises for polling (e.g., lighting and heating)
This is specified in paragraph 22 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 and supported by guidance from the Electoral Commission.
Room Selection and Responsibilities
While the returning officer is responsible for choosing which rooms to use, they should consult with school leaders. Despite the returning officer's role in administering the polling, the school retains responsibility for safeguarding and the health and safety of students and staff.