School toilets.... locked!

A comprehensive where I was a governor installed CCTV cameras in the toilets, though obviously not in the actual cubicles. I don't think there had been bullying going on, but there had been some vandalism which was curbed by the presence of cameras.

POGS - I am a governor at a primary school and I can assure you that the school is not allowed to refuse a child the use of the loo if they need it and they have to supply water for drinking.

If this is what is happening it is quite wrong and your DD needs to get several parents to write to the governors. It is simply not acceptable, particularly at primary level, when these small people will have varying degrees of bladder size and control.

soontobe that's a good idea re the other parents, a united front, so to speak.

POGS do you think that might work in you DGD's case? Even the most "unapproachable" Head would surely have to take notice if there were several parents saying the same thing.

Or of course your DD could always raise the matter with the School Governors.

Olgreymare

My DGD very often gets upset about this too. She always rushes to the loo when she comes home, yes I know she could go before coming home, I think she has been so brain washed by her teachers she doesn't use them as a normality. She very often says she had a pain in her tummy because of this Dickensian attitude.

I don't think the toilets are locked, I never thought to ask but I will.

Her school 'does not allow' children to go to the loo during lessons . They are 'instructed' to go before leaving home or break times! This makes me so b----y mad . I have to say I also blame the parents for not standing up to the Head, I would.

We have noticed that her drink bottle hardly gets used and whilst she is only 8 years old we think she is not drinking through worry. Actually I think I will have another go on this matter with my DD but I fear she will say leave well alone, the Head is not an approachable woman.

I am sure this should not be allowed on H&S grounds (sometimes it can be useful).

Speak to other parents first.

It is far easier to approach a school when you know other parents think as you do, than to do it alone. They can also come up with reasonable solutions too.

Bullying shouldn't be taking place in toilets during lesson time because the kids should be in the classroom so it seems an odd thing to do. Lunch break is when the vandalism/bullying/smoking causes problems.

I used to be mightily relieved not to have a toilet block on my patch when I was on playground duty.

If a shop has a problem with shoplifting, do they close down the shop so that theft can't take place? Of course they don't, they take sensible steps to control the problem, such as having security guards to be on the lookout for any wrongdoing.

Maybe not the best analogy, but I'm sure you get my drift!

I am sure that this is not allowed. I am a school governor and there was once a discussion about how children should always be free to go to the loo as they wish and need to. A bit of an overreaction by your GN's school I think.

Her parents could write to the governors requesting that the loos be open at all times.

I remember this being the case when I was at grammar school more years ago than I care to remember. I think it was thought we were up to no good as soon as we were out of the classroom- I think we probably were- smoking, wagging of lessons etc. It certainly was still the case when my children went through senior school.

Not sure how your issue can be resolved though and I do see your point re your GN. Could she perhaps be allowed to use the staff loo? Sorry not to be more help never having worked in a school. I hope this doesn't affect her adversely.