Schools face a “headache” in light of a general election - especially if they face a “double closure” with the local elections next month, the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has said.

This morning, prime minister Theresa May called a snap election for 8 June, citing the need for “strong and stable leadership” during the Brexit process.

Russell Hobby, general secretary of the NAHT, said: “It is a day of education lost. It will probably be slightly irritating that they may have already had to close for some of the local council elections.”

Schools need a reasonable amount of notice to prepare - especially if they have events or extra curriculum activities planned.

Mr Hobby added: “It is just another organisational headache for schools.They will have to get notifications out pretty quickly.”

It is often primary schools that are used as polling stations, but some concern has been raised that secondaries - which have GCSEs, AS and A-levels taking place that day - could face also disruption:

Malcolm Trobe, deputy general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: “It is potentially incovenient as it is happening at exam time. However, it is a time when not all the students are in school because of examinations.”

On Thursday June 8, students will sit GCSE exams in maths, economics and psychology. And sixth-formers will sit a number of exams - including government and politics.

If used as polling stations, secondary schools will close off a small area away from the exams, Mr Trobe said. 

He added: “It is more of an inconvenience for primary schools as they would normally make it a staff training day but there is not enough time to do this now.”

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