A school has sparked fury among parents after putting up 'locked barriers' outside their pupils' toilets. More than 70 pupils have 'walked out' of the secondary school in protest at the drastic changes to the facilities.
The barriers, which are apparently locked during lessons, have appeared at The Discovery Academy Bentilee, in Stoke-on-Trent, this week. The metal gates are then reported to be unlocked at break and lunch times.
Stoke-on-Trent Live reports that angry parents are planning to stage a protest outside the school on Monday morning. One mum says she saw more than 70 pupils leave the school on Thursday.
She said: "I was flicking through Snapchat when I saw one of the gates. I asked my son, ‘Are there gates on the toilets?'
"He said ‘yes’. I phoned the office and asked them about it. I said ‘send my son home now'.
"They asked me why and I told them ‘because I said so, that’s why'. My son asked to go to the toilet and he was told 'no'.
"He wasn't allowed and he has a medical pass. The parents are taking a stand against the school.
"I just hope that they see things from our point of view and cut the ridiculous rules. The kids are going to rebel even more, the behaviour is going to be worse.
"If you teach children respect then they give you respect back. Treating them like animals is going to make them bad.”
Parents believe that the barriers have been installed after recent vandalism and concerns that children are going on their phones in the toilets during lessons. However, there are also concerns that the move is 'humiliating' for girls.
Another mum said: “Girls of a certain age need to use the toilet - sometimes at short notice. It’s hard enough being a girl at that age never mind bleeding through in front of your whole class.
"I’m not having my daughter humiliated. With periods young girls don’t know when they are coming.
"You try to prepare as much as possible but there are still incidents. You can’t prepare for an upset stomach, I think it’s disgusting.”
The controversial move comes as tensions are already running high at the school after parents were offended by comments regarding make-up made in an assembly earlier this week. One mum said: "A bit of make-up is not affecting their chances.
"Covering a spot on your cheek at that age is important to them because they've got low self-esteem, but it doesn’t mean they won’t go anywhere in life."
Alpha Academies Trust (AAT) runs The Discovery Academy. The organisation has not commented on when the barriers are opened and locked and who qualifies for a medical pass.
An AAT spokesperson said: "At AAT we have high expectations of learning and clear processes in place to support. We have high standards of uniform ready for the world ahead and have processes in place for those who truant.
"We encourage students to go to the toilet at regular set times during the day and support those with medical needs by accessing toilets at any time. Parental engagement is extremely important to us and we value opportunities to listen to concerns and explain the reasons for our decisions."
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