Parents question school over toilet gate

The gate at the entrance to toilets at Cottingham High School

Concerns have been raised about access to toilets at a secondary school after a large gate was installed.

Parents claimed children had told them that the toilets at Cottingham High School, East Yorkshire, were locked during lessons and after school.

One mother said her children were "scared" to drink enough fluids and described the situation as "Victorian".

A spokesperson for the school said toilets were "only closed when being cleaned or repaired", and pupils were able to access them during lessons "when an emergency need arises".

Marieke Swales, a mother of three, said she was concerned that teenage girls would not be able to access toilets during their periods.

"It's denigrating for a young girl," she said. "It does something to their self-esteem".

She said she feared her child would not drink enough fluids and claimed they had come home "with headaches".

Ms Swales says she is "baffled" by the school's policy

Ms Swales said her child had told her the toilets were locked after their last lesson, meaning they were not allowed to use them before leaving school to travel home.

"I think its detrimental to a child's health to not let them go to the toilet," she added.

Another mother, Sally, who did not want to give her surname, said her son was "under the impression toilets are locked during lessons".

She added: "My concern is more restrictions are being placed on young people that are not for the benefit of the majority and that doesn’t happen in other areas of life. There is an impact on emotional wellbeing, regulation and attention to learning."

The BBC was contacted by other parents who asked not to be named.

One said their child had had a toilet pass for a number of years, but it had now been taken away. She said the child required an updated doctor's note to obtain a new one.

The parent said they had contacted their GP surgery, who said the note would cost £24.

Subsequently, the parent emailed the school to explain the situation, but claimed that they had not received a reply.

'Potential hazard'

The BBC put all the parents' concerns to Cottingham High School.

In response, a spokesperson said: "We are aware of some incorrect information on social media related to toilet usage at our school.

"Toilets are only closed when being cleaned or repaired. On occasions when this occurs, students can access other available toilets."

Referring to the gate, the spokesperson said the "style of door installed" was due to the location of the toilets, where a hinged door would cause "a potential hazard".

"This affects only one set of toilets," they added.

"Students are encouraged to use the toilets before the start of school, at break and at lunch to minimise disruption to their learning, however when an emergency need arises students are able to access toilets.

"Toilets are also available at the end of the school day when students are accessing after-school clubs."

Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.