Parents blast ‘disgusting’ school after toilets are locked with metal gate for ‘ridiculous’ reason that ‘punishes’ pupils

Parents have slammed a secondary school as “disgusting” after barriers were erected between desperate pupils and toilets during lessons to deter misbehaviour.

Dorcan Academy in Swindon has installed metal barriers at the entrances to many of its toilets, forcing students with medical conditions or who simply need to use the toilet to go to reception to use the toilet.

The school, for ages 11 to 16, has been criticized for “punishing” its students to deal with “a few badly behaved students” with this measure, which comes on top of an existing expectation that students are only allowed to use the toilet during breaks and lunch.

An anonymous complainant described the measure, which was taken after schools reopened, as a violation of the students’ “human right to use the toilet”.

The only toilets that are accessible at that time are being monitored by a staff member, which raises concerns that students may feel uncomfortable when they really need to use the toilet for health reasons.

A parent who is anonymous with the Swindon Advertisersaid: ‘It’s disgusting and shocking.’

However, Principal Sherryl Bareham said the school’s policy has always been that students are only allowed to use the toilet during lunch and recess, except in emergencies.

However, many local residents saw the move to install gates as “draconian” and an “abuse of power.”

One of them said: ‘The rest of the student population does not need to be punished for a few badly behaved students.

“A student shouldn’t have to explain themselves to a teacher in front of the entire class so the teacher can decide if it’s a good reason to go to the bathroom. It’s ridiculous.”

Another noted, “The problem is that almost all schools implement such a policy and don’t recognize that the human body is so unpredictable sometimes.”

A concerned local resident added: ‘[It is] ‘It is understandable that toilets need to be monitored but not locked, especially considering the age of these children, with their still developing bodies.’

But many responded to the new measure from the side of the school and the principal.

A Swindon local said: ‘Well done head, kids have too much control and not enough respect. Go to the toilet during break. We all know they ask to go during lessons, maybe to vape or just to disrupt the lesson.’

“What’s wrong with going to the bathroom before class starts?” asked another.

“Teachers will do that – they don’t just pop out during a lesson to go to the toilet. If a child has a health problem, that’s understandable. But let’s stop telling children they can do whatever they want, whenever they want.”

Someone else noted, “This rule was always in effect in schools during my time. I remember one person having a special dispensation, but that was it.”

Mrs Bareham added: ‘Students are always expected to use the toilet during break and lunch, and not during lessons unless there is an emergency.

‘This is to ensure that students’ learning process is not disrupted.

‘Students with medical conditions are given a special card that allows them to go to the toilet whenever they need to.

‘During class hours, students who need to use the toilet must use a special toilet, which is supervised by a staff member.

‘This way we ensure that the toilets remain in excellent condition and are safe for everyone.

‘Other toilets will remain closed and will only be opened during breaks and lunch.’