It’s been 12 months of uncertainty and closures for schools since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, and one of our area’s schools will be again closed next week – but this time it’s for the local elections.
County council, town, parish and police and crime commissioner elections are taking place on May 6.
And Beaufront First School in Hexham is being used as a polling station and will be closed on the day.
In February, schools minister Nick Gibb sent headteachers a letter stating the Government supported avoiding the use of schools as polling sites “where it is practically possible to do so”.
The letter said: “This year all children have missed vital time at school and the Government is committed to minimising any further disruption to pupils’ education … we are clear that where schools would be required to close, returning officers should look to other available venues first.”
Where there are no alternative premises, schools and returning officers should “work together to minimise any disruption and keep the school open where that is possible”.
A spokesperson for Northumberland County Council said: “Thankfully for the forthcoming scheduled polls on May 6, we have had to use very few schools as polling stations in Northumberland, but we are required to provide polling stations that are accessible and convenient for voters across the county.
“Only seven of over 300 schools in Northumberland are being used as polling stations at these elections. Just two will be closed, Beaufront First school in Hexham and Berwick Engage School – both of which have chosen to allocate polling day as a designated teacher training day.
“Whether a school closes completely for the poll is ultimately the decision of the school and in most circumstances it is possible to find arrangements which enable schools to remain open whilst being used as a polling station if this is agreeable to the school.”
You can only vote at the polling station printed on the back of your poll card – if in doubt check your council’s website.
LIST OF POLLING STATIONS IN TYNEDALE AND PONTELAND
Kirkwhelpington Memorial Hall
Bellingham Town Hall
The Gun Inn, Ridsdale
Corsenside Parish Hall
Matthew Ridley Memorial Hall, Falstone
Kielder Primary School
Otterburn Memorial Hall
Byrness Village Hall
Rochester Village Hall
Tarset Village Hall
Newton & Bywell Community Hall
Horsley Village & WI Hall
Ovingham Reading Room
Ovingham Social Club
Wylam Methodist Church
Corbridge Parish Hall
Beaufront First School, Hexham
Lambley Village Hall
Featherstone Village Hall
Haltwhistle Methodist Church Hall
Knarsdale with Kirkhaugh Cairns Community Hall
Whitfield Parish Hall
Bardon Mill Village Hall
Greenhead Village Hall
Haydon Bridge Community Centre
Langley Village Hall
Melkridge The Farmhouse
Gilsland Village Hall
Acomb Village Hall
Hexham Community Centre
Hencotes St Aidan’s Church Hall
Hexham Trinity Methodist Church Hall
Hexham Torch Centre
Hexham West End Methodist Church Hall
Birtley Village Hall
Barrasford Village Hall
Colwell Village Hall
Humshaugh Village Hall
Newbrough Town Hall
Simonburn Village Hall
Wall Village Hall
Stonehaugh Village Hall
Wark Town Hall
Ponteland Schools & Leisure Centre
Whalton Village Hall
Belsay Estates Office
Capheaton Village Hall
Ponteland St Mary’s Church Hall
Heddon Village Knott Memorial Hall
Ponteland United Reformed Church
Stamfordham Village Hall
Great Whittington Village Hall
Prudhoe Castle First School
The Gate Church, Prudhoe
Prudhoe Waterworld
St Mary Magdalene Church Hall, Prudhoe
Allendale Village Hall
Allenheads Heritage Site
Catton Village Hall
Sinderhope High Forest Community Centre
Blanchland Village Hall
Slaley Commemoration Hall
Whittonstall The Anchor Inn
Whitley Chapel Village Hall
Shotley St John’s Hall
Ninebanks Church Hall
Riding Mill Parish Hall
Stocksfield Community Association
Stocksfield Baptist Church Hall
Mickley and District Social Club
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