Bog off! Parents say no to unisex toilets at school

PUPILS proposed introducing unisex toilets at their primary school – but their parents went round the bend.

Even though bosses at Newall Green Primary say there are ‘no current plans’ to introduce gender-neutral bathrooms at the school, parents were left reeling after the topic was discussed by pupils. It is understood that the idea was one of many different issues debated by the pupils’ school council.

But as a result the school came under fire during a lively debate among parents and carers on the Wythenshawe 1 Facebook group.

Some of those commenting welcomed the idea and said shared bathrooms could help children who identify as transgender.

Others said they would support such a policy being implemented if it was approved by pupils.

One woman pointed out that unisex toilets are common on trains and planes.

However, other parents said gender neutral bathrooms would be inappropriate at a primary school. One person questioned why staff toilets are not unisex and said school money could be spent on something more useful.

Some raised concerns that shared bathrooms used by both boys and girls could intrude on children’s privacy.

Headteacher Sarah Rudd said the topic was one of many discussed by the children who have been chosen to represent their classmates on the school council.

She said: “There are no current plans to introduce unisex toilets at the school. It’s fantastic, however, that the school council’s discussion on toilets has generated so much interest. It’s just one of many different issues put up for discussion by the school council with other pupils each year.”

Unisex toilets have previously been introduced at schools in London, Sussex and Glasgow.