We’re furious after school put shutters on toilets so kids can’t go during lessons – it’s against their human rights
OUTRAGED parents have blasted a school that has installed shutters on some of its toilets to stop pupils using them during lesson time.
Seahaven Academy in Newhaven, East Sussex, has introduced a new policy that will only allow students to use the bathroom during break time.
But the shutters have sparked fury among some parents who believe it goes against children’s rights.
In an email sent to parents, seen by SussexLive, the academy confirmed that shutters are in use.
The outraged parents have banded together and created a petition to remove the barriers.
They feel the new system will become a health hazard for pupils who can’t go to the toilet as and when they need to.
So far, the petition to get the shutters removed has received 62 signatures and counting, after being set up two days ago by a concerned parent.
One person who signed the online petition labelled it “a crazy idea” while others were quick to argue that using the toilet when you need to is a basic human right.
Another person who signed the petition said the new policy made them “upset and angry”.
In the email sent to parents, the Academy said: “The communal toilets will be open before school, during break and lunch and after school. They will be closed during lesson time.
“During lesson time the individual toilets, located next to the hall, will be open for students that need to use them.
“Students have told us these toilets are a better environment that they prefer using during lesson time.”
It is not known how many toilets have had the new shutters installed, but they were brought in during an INSET day at the school on Friday November 25.
However, there are some toilets that will not be closed off and will remain open during lesson time for those that need them, the school said.
A spokesperson for Seahaven Academy said: “There are toilets open and available for students to use at all times throughout the school; including during lessons for those that need them.
“Like any good school, however, we have processes in place to ensure that, during lesson time, students are focused on learning in the classroom.
“We thus only have individual toilets available during lesson time. This has worked well across the school and our students understand the reasons why we use this approach.”
The Sun online has also contacted Seahaven Academy for comment.
This comes as other parents around the UK have taken issue with their child’s school.
Earlier this year one mum was left fuming after receiving a note from her son’s school, All Saints Catholic Primary School, in Bootle, Merseyside.
The letter scolded parents for keeping their children home despite 70mph winds and wild weather.
Another parent, who did not want to be named, slammed South Wigston High School in Leicestershire for allegedly keeping her daughter in a room.
The issue arose after the pupil wore a skirt that did not abide by the rules due to its short length.
In response to the criticism, principal Stuart Kay said: “South Wigston High School has been dealing with some inconsistencies in the standard of school uniform.
“A small number of students were upset by the enforcement of our uniform policy on Monday.
“It is never our intention to create a situation where children are upset and therefore we have contacted all parents to inform them that we will undertake a review of our uniform policy in consultation with our school community.”
