We're furious after school took ridiculously extreme measures to stop kids using toilets during lessons – it's vile | The Sun
PARENTS have slammed a school's decision to barricade its toilets during lessons.
Metal gates are installed across the entrance to the bathrooms to stop kids from entering and to "tackle bad behaviour".
Mums and dads have branded the move at Castle View School on Canvey Island in Essex "disgusting".
But teachers say there are still plenty of opportunities to go outside of class, and pupils can get a special pass if they really need to.
One mum, whose children go to the school, said: "It's against human rights and is disgusting.
"It's like they are in a prison."
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She claims the bars mean there are now long queues during break and lunch times, which is "an absolute nightmare".
"My child felt sick at lunchtime and was left to just stand and queue," she added.
"They nearly had to vomit in the hallway, which is so embarrassing.
"These gates are on all the toilet blocks.
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"I don't know any other secondary schools that have put an actual physical gate that can be locked."
The mum also claimed she wasn't alerted to the controversial barriers before they were introduced.
She said: "We haven't had any letters or emails about it. It is just so wrong.
"They don't always open all of them at lunch or break either because a teacher has to do it so there are always long queues.
"Some days my child doesn't even eat because there isn't time to queue for food and the toilet.
"My child has anxiety around going to the toilet now, it is so bad."
Pupils are also up in arms over the new rules.
It's disgusting. It's like they're in a prison.
A 14-year-old, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "We are children, we don't need to be locked up.
"It shows an extreme lack of trust, which is understandable as we are kids, but the level they are going at is getting out of control.
"We understand why it was put in place to stop vaping and because of safeguarding issues.
"But if you want to stop that then put smoke detectors closer and use thermal cameras like other schools are.
"I understand there is a duty of care but what I don't understand is why they're going to this level."
Castle View headteacher Steve Durkin said: "Pupils are able to access all toilets before school, break times, and after school.
"If a pupil requires access to the toilet during lesson time, they request a pass from their teacher and are allowed access."
Schools across Essex have been attempting to tackle "bad behaviour" by closing toilets during lesson time.
Shoebury High School in Southend-on-Sea has previously used the same method, along with Mayflower High School in Billericay.
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Meanwhile, the Deanes School in Thundersley has created toilet pass cards.
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