General election: Hundreds of schools face disruption to nativity plays and Christmas concerts, survey suggests

Union leader calls for review of schools being used as polling stations

Schools struggle to plan due to the short notice they’re given (EPA)

Hundreds of schools are expected to tear up their plans for nativity plays and Christmas concerts because of the upcoming general election, a new poll suggests.

Around one in 12 primary school teachers have said the election on 12 December would disturb a scheduled festive activity – such as a nativity, concert or party, according to a survey by Teacher Tapp.

The findings, first shared with Schools Week, also found that nearly one in five (17 per cent) of primary school teachers say their school will be closed on election day to be used as a polling station.

A headteachers’ union leader has said it is now time to review the use of schools as polling stations.

The analysis from Teacher Tapp estimates that around 8 per cent of primary schools are likely have a festive activity disrupted – which equates to around 1,000 schools in England and Wales.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “It really is time to review whether schools are suitable venues for use as polling stations.

“The general election will be the third time that schools have been disrupted this year following the local elections and European elections. And this is the third general election in four years.”

He added: “To make matters worse, there is very little time to adjust timetables and planning for Christmas events because the timing of the election was not known until very recently.

“There may sometimes be no alternative to using a school, such as in rural locations, but they really should be the last resort and only when there is absolutely no alternative.”

Paul Whiteman, general secretary for the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), added: “Elections are always an organisational headache for schools that are used as polling stations.

“The timing of this general election could prove particularly disruptive, landing during a special time of year for many primary schools and clashing with nativity plays or other seasonal celebrations.”