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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Anthony France

School pupils ‘flip tables and break fences’ in protest at toilet rule change

Protests erupted at schools over new rules which ban pupils going to the toilet during class in Cornwall, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

Rebel students reportedly “flipped tables and broke fences” over the changes which also forced girls to show a red card when on their period at Penrice Academy in St Austell, Cornwall.

Other pupils at Farnley Academy, Leeds, were seen standing outside with angry parents demonstrating the policy had “taken away their human rights”.

Dozens also protested outside Haven High Academy, in Boston. One parent compared the new loo edict to “prison rules”.

A video from Penrice Academy shows schoolchildren shaking the fence while chanting and shouting.

A parent told Cornwall Live that some fences had been broken and a girl injured.

She said: “My daughter has just called me to say the protest has got out of hand and students are flipping tables. The children are now not allowed out for break.”

Another added: “They are just not listening to parents or children - and unfortunately the kids are taking things into their own hands today.”

Meanwhile, footage of Farnley Academy showed furious pupils demonstrating against a new policy of toilet doors being locked during lesson time.

Parent Natalie Hennessy, whose child is in Year 9, told Leeds Live: “My son is a high achiever and is so fed up of the way he’s being treated.

“He says he feels manipulated all the time and the school is like a prison. I feel disgusted.

“The amount of times I’ve contacted the school and it’s falling on deaf ears. They’re taking away their human rights.”

A parent at Haven High Academy, where videos of pupils demonstrating were shared on TikTok yesterday, claimed corridors and toilets were being locked during lesson time.

Penrice Academy sent a letter to parents and carers saying that a “small number of students’ behaviour was unacceptable”.

The school also said they wanted to engage with pupils to “find a solution that works for everyone as soon as possible”.

Farnley Academy were approached for comment by the Standard.

A spokesman for Haven High Academy told us the incident was part of a national TikTok protest on Thursday. The school was calm and orderly today and all toilets have reopened, he added.

Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Police are aware of a protest at the academy, but have not been called or asked to attend.”

West Yorkshire Police were not called to any incident and Lincolnshire Police have been approached for comment.

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