Parents Furious At School's Toilet Ban Where Pupils Are Forced To Wait Until Breaktime

Parents have launched a petition over claims that a school has introduced a ‘loo ban’, forcing students to only use the toilets at break times. 

Lightcliffe Academy in Halifax, Yorkshire, has been hit with backlash by parents after it banned toilet trips during lesson times leading to huge queues when they are open. 

The school has made the decision to restrict students’ access and introduced a toilet timetable of lunch, breaktime and before or after school.

It says students are encouraged to go to the toilet outside of class time to avoid disruption to lessons.

But parents have hit back at the new rule, saying it's forcing kids to choose between eating their lunch and using the toilet. 

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Joanne Harney, whose teenage daughter attends the school, said: "It's totally oppressive. They're almost having to decide between going to the loo and eating."

Pupils can be granted 'toilet passes' which allow pupils to use the disabled toilet if in desperate or urgent need. But these only allow them to use one disabled toilet in the school's reception, which becomes busy.

So far, around 100 people have signed a petition calling on the school to reverse its decision. 

Nicola Hanson, who has two children at the school and started the petition, said: "I think it's wrong on so many levels.

"It's totally counterproductive, has a negative impact on healthy habits - including drinking lots of water which improves concentration - and increases UTIs and other bowel and bladder issues."

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Another parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "My daughter ends up going to the toilet before school at 7.30am and then doesn't go again until 3.45pm. At lunchtime, she has to either queue for the toilet or go to get something to eat. She can't do both."

Head of School, Roz Wood-Ives, said: "In common with many other secondary schools, our policy is that students are encouraged to go to the toilet outside of lesson time to avoid disruption to lessons, unless they need to for medical or health reasons, or it is an emergency.

"Students who need to use toilet facilities in an emergency have access to them in the main foyer during lesson times.

"Due to the positive relationships that exists between staff and students, staff use their discretion to ensure that those who genuinely need to access toilet facilities feel comfortable in seeking permission to do so.

"We have recently invested £10,000 in improving our toilet facilities, and have had positive feedback from students on these improvements.

"However, we are aware that some students and parents are unhappy with these arrangements, and are actively working with our parent and student councils around how we can address their concerns."