Parents’ anger as academy locks toilets in lessons
Pupils forced to ask to have facilities unlocked
ASCHOOL has been condemned over claims it has locked most of its toilets for pupils during lessons.
Parents said boys and girls at Q3 Academy in Great Barr had to ask permission for the facilities to be unlocked if they needed to use them during a class.
One mother said it was a “basic human right” to use the toilet and pupils were embarrassed at having to ask for them to be opened.
There were also reports of congestion around cubicles as pupils rushed to use the facilities and lunch and breaktimes. The school – which used to be called Dartmouth High School – refused to comment on the complaints and said there was no issue.
But parents claimed the move had been introduced without their knowledge. It was alleged that just two toilets had been left open – one for each sex.
Signs bearing the school’s name and logo tell students: “This toilet is now locked. If required during a lesson please see your company office.”
One mother, who has a 13-yearold at Q3 Academy, said: “Signs have been put on the kid’s toilets. It’s utterly disgusting, surely it’s a basic human right to go to the toilet? I’m really annoyed because the school has not told the parents. They know there will be an uproar so they didn’t say anything to us.
“Our children have to ask a member of staff for a pass then go to an office for a key but, at break times, apparently there are queues for the toilets.”
The mother claimed staff were also monitoring toilets during break times in case of disruption.
She added: “I have a son who doesn’t like using the toilets there so, if he goes, he really is desperate.
“There are girls who need to go as it’s their time of the month. Some of these girls have only just started and they have to tell a member of staff why they want to go. They’re really embarrassed and mortified telling anyone, let alone a male teacher. It’s disgusting.
“I only found out because of a photo on Facebook so I asked my son. He’s said he was told it was because people were causing damage in the cubicles.
“To me, they should be monitoring toilets, as they are in any other public place for cleanliness and hygiene.
“I think it’s disgusting kids have to follow this routine. What happens if a child has an upset tummy or feels sick?
The row has echoes of a 2012 dispute when pupils at Castle Vale Performing Arts College were issued with “tinkle” passes, which they had to hold up in class if they needed the loo.
The card, written in a childlike scrawl, said: “I am missing a superimportant learning opportunity because I need a tinkle.”
The scheme was scrapped.
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