Furious parents have hit out after the introduction of 'gender neutral' toilets at a local school.
Over the Easter break Walsall Academy refurbished a set of toilets that are described as 'open plan' with 'enclosed and private cubicles,' reports Birmingham Live.
However, parents have raised privacy concerns and some pupils refused to use the toilets. One girl allegedly developed a UTI because she did not want to use the toilets.
An MP for Walsall North, Eddie Hughes, shares the concerns and says he has written to the headteacher of the school to raise the issue.
In a statement Walsall Academy stated that the new toilets were "seen as a good thing" by elected student council members.
They continued that the pupils felt safer as some had experienced bullying in the "closed" toilets.
Eddie Hughes MP posted on Facebook saying: "Walsall Academy have recently introduced gender-neutral toilets. I have been contacted by parents and pupils who are very concerned and want the school to reconsider - I have to say I share their concerns and have written to Simon Rogers, headteacher at Walsall Academy, to ask him to investigate. I have also contacted Thomas Telford Multi Academy Trust and Walsall Council to investigate the matter.
"If your child attends Walsall Academy and you’re worried about this change, please email me at eddie.hughes@parliament.uk and I will make sure your voice is heard."
He also included a copy of his letter to, Simon Rogers, the headteacher at the school
The letter highlights the main concern among pupils and parents as being the "lack of privacy".
He also claimed that one female pupil has developed a UTI as she has not felt comfortable using the toilets.
He adds: "Parents have safeguarding concerns given that the age range of pupils using this facility is between year 7 pupils (11 years old) and Sixth Form pupils (18 years old)."
A spokesman for Walsall Academy said: "During the Easter holidays one of the many sets of toilets at Walsall Academy was refurbished as they are in an area of very high use and were 20 years old. The design of the new toilet area is ‘open plan’ with completely enclosed and private cubicles.
"This was seen as a good thing by the elected student council members who had a hand in the designs of the area. The students said that they felt safer with the open plan nature of the toilets, as some had experienced bullying in ‘closed’ style toilets previously.
"This was also the feedback from the parent group. However, there are still other traditional style toilets nearby which students are able to use if they wish."
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