A furious dad has blasted his child’s school after he said teachers have banned pupils from going to the toilet.
The parent says children are being stopped from going to the toilet during lessons at North Cestrian School, in Altrincham, Greater Manchester after some pupils were ‘messing around’ saying they needed to go when they didn’t.
The school has said that children are still allowed to use the toilet “where there is a strong urge”.
But the dad claimed that’s not what is happening in classrooms, with pupils told that all but one toilet near the reception are locked during lessons.
Parents are up in arms over the policy, with some even considering taking their children out of school unless changes are made, the father of one Year 7 pupil told the Manchester Evening News.
"I think it's absolutely ridiculous and I know a couple of parents are thinking of taking their children out of the school unless it changes within a month," said the dad, who did not want to be identified.
He said the reaction was 'very totalitarian overly disciplinarian'.
He added: "What they should do is deal with the few who are maybe the problem children and educate them accordingly, not take the easier route and say 'right none of you can go'."
He said the medical evidence is clear on what damage can be done by having to hold on when you need to go - and pupils are at times having to wait two hours if it's a double lesson.
"There are numerous articles that list the health issues associated with holding on too long," he said.
"It interrupts the brain's natural signals and if my daughter is there for five years at such a crucial stage in her development, who knows what long term side effects there might be for her and other pupils.
"It is wrong on so many levels, it beggars belief really. In my day you drank from a water fountain. Now children are expected to carry plastic or metal bottles around with them and have them in class, which means they are drinking regularly. So it is obvious they will need the toilet more often than perhaps the teachers remember when they were at school."
He added: "Children are anxious enough with all that is going on in the world, without worrying if their body will go against its nature, something every pupil has no control over if legitimately needing the toilet."
The school however says that although it encourages students to visit the toilet outside of lesson time, it does not ban them from going if they are desperate.
Headteacher Lee Bergin said: "Children are encouraged to go to the toilet at break times to avoid disruption to lessons. They are encouraged to regulate themselves accordingly. Teaching staff will remind pupils of this during lessons.
"Where there is a strong urge to go to the toilet, this is allowed. Of course it is. Any child with medical need has a discreet pass to allow them to go to the toilet when required."
Mr Bergin added that he had 'received only one communication from a parent seeking clarification' on the issue.
