Parents have slammed a school after staff removed doors for the student toilets which they claim is to "create more positive behaviour".
Pupils at Cullompton Community College in Cullompton, Devon, were shocked to find the doors had been removed from both the male and female washrooms when they went into school this week.
Although doors still remain on each cubicle, the main bathroom doors are gone leaving both rooms exposed, Devon Live reports.
One parent likened the new open plan to being like a "prison" and furious pupils are reportedly planning a protest outside the school.
The parent, who opted to remain anonymous, said: "All the parents are concerned, especially parents of daughters.
"I understand anti-social behaviour happens but is this prison or school?
"This shows clearly school is not safe if something like this is needed.
"Poor girls and boys can see in and under and hear all and enter and leave in three seconds."
Another concerned parent added: "Students, parents and even teachers are appalled by the acting head teacher's decision to remove doors to three of the five student toilets.
"While cubicle doors remain in place, concerns have been raised over privacy i.e. visibility of urinals, being overheard etc. This is in addition to restrictions on who and when students can use the facilities."
The college, which last year was rated 'good' by watchdog Ofsted, has defended its decision which it claims stems from complaints about the way mobile phones were being used in school toilets.
A spokesperson for the school said: “The decision we have taken brings us in line with many schools across the country and is commonplace.
"It follows our concerns – shared by many students who we discussed this matter with before reaching a decision – that more positive behaviour would be achieved if the toilet blocks were more open plan.
"We are pleased that they and the vast majority of parents support our decision.
"The wellbeing of students is always our top priority.”
Acting headteacher Sheila Baker emailed a letter to parents about the situation, saying: "As you may know, a large number of students have been concerned since the start of the school year about poor behaviour and the use of mobile phones in three of the school's five toilet blocks. We share these concerns.
"As a result, we have discussed the matter with more than 20 students to hear their views and the school took the decision to remove the doors into these toilet blocks lobby areas."
