'My kids' school locked them out of the toilets'

“They’ve said kids can only use the toilets during break times, but not during lessons, and they’re only allowed to go to the toilet under supervision which is totally wrong."

There’s nothing more frustrating than being busting for the toilet only to discover the toilets aren’t usable for whatever reason.

Whether it’s due to cleaning, vandalism, or just being closed, you end up feeling even more uncomfortable than before while running out of time to plan your next move.

So imagine how you’d feel if your kids came home from school and told you they were facing that exact feeling?

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One group of parents don’t have to imagine, as their children’s school installed ‘metal cages’ on the entry to the toilets that are padlocked shut to prevent kids using the bathroom during class time.

While it’s certainly not unheard of for schools to have metal gates on the entrance to their toilets (my school had a closed gate every weekend), it is bizarre to stop your students from heeding nature’s call.

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The metal gate that has been installed across the school toilets. Picture: Ian Ward/BPM Media

"They're only allowed to go under supervision, which is totally wrong"

Foxford Community School near Coventry in the UK, installed the gates three weeks ago, and have had them padlocked shut ever since.

“Foxford has, for a while, kept the toilet doors locked preventing the kids from using the toilets, and now they have fitted locked cage doors to prevent the kids from even getting near the toilets,” Grandfather Ian Ward told Coventry Live.

“They’ve said kids can only use the toilets during break times, but not during lessons, and they’re only allowed to go to the toilet under supervision which is totally wrong.

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“It’s taking away the freedom of being able to use the toilet as and when you need it.

“What if a child is on their period or has problems holding for a long time? I understand they have problems with kids in toilets, but to put metal doors on them is just going too far.”

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Foxford Community School. Picture: Google

"There is no need to lock them up"

Ian has six grandchildren at the school, and described the toilet move as “disgusting”.

“School is supposed to be a safe place for kids and it is supposed to be a relaxed environment,” he said.

“How is it a relaxed environment when they are locked up?”

Coventry Live reports the change affects every student from Years 7 to 11, and was brought in due to “issues with students in the toilets”.

“I think there are other ways of controlling that by having somebody sit by the toilets at certain times, and if there is a problem then someone is close by,” Ian said.

“There is no need to lock them and say you are not using them.”

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The school claims to have had issues with kids spending too much time in the toilets. Picture: BPM Media

"The doors are unlocked at break and lunchtimes"

A spokesperson for the school said the doors were unlocked at all times outside of class hours.

“We have recently installed metal doors to two toilet areas,” the spokesperson told Coventry Live.

“The doors are unlocked before and after school, as well as at break and lunchtimes.”

Originally published as 'My kids' school locked them out of the toilets'