Teachers have warned the general election is set to disrupt nativity plays and Christmas concerts.
School leaders fear December 12 ballot could prove “particularly disruptive” for primary schools as it is likely to clash with traditional festive events.
One union boss said it was time to review whether schools are suitable to be used as polling stations.
A poll by Teacher Tapp of 1,450 primary teachers found that 8% said the election would disrupt a planned activity such as a nativity play or concert, Schools Week reported.
Once secondary school teachers were included, 15% aid there would be some kind of disruption, including to end-of-year tests, the magazine reported.
National Association of Head Teachers general secretary Paul Whiteman said: “Elections are always an organisational headache for schools that are used as polling stations - and 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.”
Association of School and College Leaders general secretary Geoff Barton 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.
“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 when there is absolutely no alternative.”
