PARENTS of Avishayes School pupils have been left angered after discovering that just 139 people voted when the school closed for a recent election.

The school, which has around 300 pupils, declined to comment after it emerged it made the final decision to close the school for the Police Crime Commissioner elections in May.

Just 139 people voted at Avishayes School, in Fairway Rise, making it the second lowest attended polling station in the town.

Ian Clarke, the local returning officer for South Somerset, said he requested use of one room for the election, but ultimately it was the school’s decision to close.

He said: “I can require the use of a schoolroom by law.

“I have to provide a sufficient number of polling station and allocate electors to them in such manner as I consider convenient having regard to their accessibility by electors.

“I am conscious of the impact of using schools, particularly when they then close the whole school, but access to suitable alternatives is not always available in the vicinity so I don’t often have much choice.

“The decision to close the whole school is made by the school but I am happy to work with them to come up with a solution whereby we continue to use it but enable them to feel comfortable keeping it open on polling day.

“The decision whether or not to close the school rests with the school itself – it is not something we can or do insist upon.

“I understand why they may consider it more appropriate to close but ultimately it is their decision.”

Avishayes School was one of five polling stations in Chard. At Crowshute House, 224 people voted, 183 people voted at the Chard Guildhall, 174 people voted at the scout hall in Bonds Close, and 131 voters turned out at English Martyrs Parish Hall.

Sarah Winter, the parent of an Avishayes School pupil, said: “My daughter attends Avishayes school, and due to the elections held two weeks ago our school was shut.

“I have since found out 139 people voted in that election. How can Chard or Somerset County Council justify closing a school of at least 300 children for a day for this turn out?”

“I am a working mum, so every day the school closes means arranging child care etc. I think it’s disgusting the school is closed on election days in this day and age.

“We can’t take our children on holiday but we can close a school for a needless reason.”

Another Chard resident added: “139 people voted, and and the majority of those who have voted would have gone after work. I would like to know who gave the permission for this to happen. How can they justify closing the school? I cannot believe it.”

In Ilminster, 226 people voted at the parish hall, with a further 205 voting at the Ilminster Adult Learning and Leisure centre.

In total in South Somerset, 27,994 people voted, with a voter turnout of just 22.6 per cent.