A school has been slammed for a "draconian" new policy which sees metal shutters block toilets during lesson time. The controversial measure was employed at Rhyl High School at the start of the academic year.
Worried parents have spoken out about the issue, with one saying their female child was left in tears after being refused a "basic human right." Pupils are permitted to use toilets at the start of the school day, between lessons, during breaks and lunch times and at the end of the day.
Darren Millar MS, shadow minister for North Wales, has publicly called for the school to reverse its policy. Meanwhile a spokesman for Rhyl High School said the move is the result of a "pupil lead approach". For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter
In a statement shared by his office Mr Millar said: "I was shocked to learn of these new arrangements at Rhyl High after being contacted by a constituent.
“Preventing pupils from going to the loo when they need to can give rise to health issues and shows a complete lack of consideration to the needs of girls who may need access due to the sudden onset of their period.
“It almost certainly discriminates against those with health conditions, treating them differently to other pupils and forcing them to disclose medical information they would rather keep private.
“While I appreciate that managing access to toilets may be important to address unacceptable behaviour and truancy, the approach that appears to have been adopted by Rhyl High is draconian, unnecessary, and totally at odds with Welsh Government guidance. I urge them to reverse this policy as soon as possible.”
Concerned parent, Jamie Wakeman, who raised the issue to Mr Millar, said: "Children are being forced to wait minimum of two hours and 10 minutes to go to the loo; a basic human need. The school requires a pupil to have health issues to provide them with a ‘toilet pass’, which I think is unacceptable. They are young adults and should not have to deal with things like this.
“These shutters were put in place at the start of the new academic year. My stepdaughter asked to go the toilet, and when she was told ‘no’, she was in tears in class.
“The only realisation we had of it was when she came home and told us. I couldn’t believe it; it’s ridiculous. It’s supposedly to stop people vaping in the toilets. She doesn’t need a toilet pass, she just needs the doors opening.”
A spokesman for Rhyl High School said: "The revised arrangements to our toilets were made to address concerns that pupils had raised whilst using the facilities. This was a pupil led approach. Communal toilets are all open at the start of the school day, between every lesson, breaks and lunch times and at the end of the school day as normal.
"Communal toilets are only closed during lesson times. This is standard practice and is implemented by many schools. Accessible toilets remain open for all students during lesson time and any pupils with any medical conditions or needs are also issued with a toilet pass, which has always been the case.
“These pupil led changes allow us to provide a much nicer facility for our pupils, as staff are now able to monitor the use of the facilities and ensure that they are kept to a high standard. Our ethos as a school is one where pupil wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do and every decision we make. This has allowed us to foster a culture where our pupils voice is pivotal”.
