Election Letter
Monday 22nd March 2021
Dear Parents,
It is with huge frustration that I need to tell you that Prince Rock will be closed on Thursday 6th May for local council elections.
As you know, I wrote to you last March about the long correspondence we had with the local authority about the use of Prince Rock Primary as a polling station and they simply told us they were going to use it anyway. They promised to conduct an “exhaustive and detailed review” of the use of our school as a polling station but have, yet again, written to us demanding use of the school.
This year, I have again refused the use of the school and asked them to find another venue. I have written to and received the support of the three local councillors who don’t think schools should be used. I have also been in correspondence all year with Luke Pollard, MP and met with him to discuss this issue.
Despite all of this support and many emails pointing out to the council the huge disruption your children have already received to their education, they have simply written back to say that they will be using the school despite our objections.
We have conducted a risk assessment of the school site but have, reluctantly, concluded that we cannot guarantee the safety of the children and open as a polling station. Some schools are able to do both but we do not have a separate building for the council to use and must prioritise the safety of the children above all else.
Therefore, on Thursday 6th May, we will be offering remote education to the children. Further details about this will follow nearer the time. A small number of children with social workers may be contacted and offered a place in school on the top floor but we are asking all parents to make other arrangements for childcare that day. If any workers who are essential to the fight against COVID-19 have exceptional circumstances, please contact me individually but please remember that safety will be prioritised.
We will continue to make our case that the local authority must find another venue. Luke Pollard, MP has promised to continue to contact them about this issue on our behalf and on the behalf of other primary schools in his district.
I am extremely sorry to bring you this news and we will ensure that the learning we provide on the 6th May is of high quality for your children.
Kind regards,
C.Brake