Parents are enraged that their children have been banned from going to the toilet during lessons. Pupils at St Julian's School in Newport have been told they can only visit the bathroom during break or lunchtime.
The 1,600 students at the secondary school were told in no uncertain terms what they answer would be if they requested a toilet break, Wales Online reported.
“Please can I go to the toilet? If it’s period 1, 3 or 5 the answer will be no!" a message sent to the students read.
“Every time you leave lesson (sic) to go to the toilet you are missing out on learning.
The message was shared on social media Read More Related Articles Top signs you're a dream host include giving guests WiFi password and drink “Please ensure you go to the toilet at home, and then at break or lunch once in school.
“Unless you have a pass your teacher will not let you out of their lessons P1 , P3 or P5 as these lessons are too soon after opportunities to already go.
“Mrs Taylor monitors students who use the facilities during lesson time and passes on the names of frequent users to progress leaders.”
When the message was posted on a Facebook page run by parent Mike Enea the reaction was swift and damning.
Mr Enea, who has a 15-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter at the school dismissed the policy as "degrading".
“The policy was only introduced in April this year allegedly," he said.
"I disagreed with it, although I didn’t say anything because I knew the school was in special measures and was tightening up on discipline.
“However, over the last week I’ve had feedback from other parents that some children have received three hour “reset” sessions as punishment for leaving their class without permission to go to the toilet.
Mike Enea spoke out forcefully against the toilet break ban Read More Related Articles 'Most new drivers would fail driving test within year of passing after making big mistakes' “This means they have to sit in a special room for three hours and miss normal class. It’s truly outrageous.
“And what about young girls who desperately need to go to the toilet because it’s that time of the month? It must be extremely degrading for them, to be told, no you can’t go to the loo.
“I am absolutely horrified by this.
“My own daughter is 13 years old and attends the school. As a parent, I’m somewhat shocked and very concerned. It’s almost like we’ve taken a step back into the 19th Century."
Other parents pointed out that one of the toilet-free lessons was directly after lunch.
Kim Hale posted: “Who makes up this stuff!!! Plus I’m not sure if times but for example if a break p3 is about an hour after a break and that child had consumed liquid they will probs need the loo... this isn’t them being needy it’s just the human body.”
Alun Thomas, a former head teacher at a different school, waded in to defence the policy.
He wrote: "Before you comment become a comprehensive school teacher just for one day! Enough said!!"
St Julian's School has been in special measures since 2017.
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Newport City Council, speaking on behalf of the school, said: "Newport City Council works with schools to ensure the well-being of all pupils and this would include supporting young people in relation to access to toilets.
"It is particularly involved in addressing period poverty among young women and the provision of private toilet facilities.
"The council would encourage pupils to raise any concerns directly with the school or head teacher or through youth councils, It recognises the importance of listening to the voice of young people.
"It has recently launched the #TellUs campaign that highlights the benefits of accurate information and preventing the spread of misinformation on social media."
