School reverses lesson-time toilet ban for pupils

A SCHOOL that stopped pupils from using the toilet during lessons has changed the policy after admitting they had “got it wrong”.

Ferndale Community School sent out a letter to parents and guardians on Wednesday explaining why, after a number of incidents including vandalism and bullying, pupil toilets were locked during lessons.

The school in Maerdy said the move was to keep pupils safe but several parents expressed deep concern over the rules, prompting the school to suspend the measure.

The letter sent to parents and guardians explained why the rules had been put in place.

It said: “We have received a few queries regarding pupils’ access to toilet facilities during the school day and so I would like to clarify any uncertainty.

“Toilets are open for pupils to use before the start of the school day up until 9am, at break time, lunchtime, and at the end of the day.

“During lesson times the pupil toilets remain locked and, in normal circumstances, pupils are not allowed to leave lessons to use them.

“The reason for this is that pupils leaving lessons are not only missing vital learning but are also out of our care and control.

“We have had a number of incidents of serious vandalism occurring in toilets during lesson time and also a number of incidents of bullying taking place.

“Our primary concern is keeping pupils safe and the best way to ensure that is to keep them in lesson.”

Karen Nutley, who has a 15-year-old daughter at the school, said: “I think it’s good they have changed their mind but I don’t think it should have come to what it did. If a child had got a medical problem or if girls are on their period they should be able to go whenever.

“I don’t think that the actions of a minority should mean that everyone gets punished.”

Karen added she was worried the rules would provoke embarrassment for those who would have been exempt.

Another mum said the rules were already in place before the letter was sent out.

The school said it had historically been the agreed policy but had not been enforced “rigorously” in recent times.

Mum-of-three Christine Thomas, 46, said yesterday: “I don’t mind as long as they can use them when they need to.

“My daughter said today that the toilets have been unlocked.”

After the letter was sent out, the school later said they had “got it wrong”.

Head teacher Emma Clarke said: “As a school all our policies and practices are designed with the well-being, safety and learning of our pupils at heart.

“However, on this occasion, we accept that we got it wrong.

“We have listened carefully to our parents’ and pupils’ concerns and have changed our policy in relation to toilet access accordingly.

“Going forward we will look at other means of managing the safeguarding and discipline issues raised by pupils being out of class in consultation with our influential Pupil Council.

“We apologise for any distress or anxiety that may have been caused by this issue.”

The letter sent by the school added that during the summer holidays the pupil toilets will be extensively refurbished to make them “healthier, safer and more pleasant”.

It said the new facilities will be open plan to make them safer but the cubicles will be floor-to-ceiling to ensure privacy.