A father has criticised his daughter's school for embarrassing her with their "absurd" toilet rules.
The teenager, who needed access to a toilet as she was on her period, was unable to do so easily as the school enforces a policy of locking the facilities during teaching.
The rule, which was brought in when Northampton International Academy reopened after lockdown, states that pupils must obtain a 'toilet pass' if they wish to use the loo during lessons.
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However, the father has now slammed the school for "distressing" young women and forcing them to "signpost when they are on their period".
His daughter had to subsequently use her mobile to send a text to her mum, who then rang up the school asking them to allow her daughter to gain access to the facilities, reported Northants Live.
The father, who requested not to be named in order to protect his daughter's privacy, stated: "A young woman should not have to jump through that many hoops to be allowed to maintain her hygiene and dignity.
"A policy such as this would not stand in any workplace."
He added that he wrote to the school and has attempted to call to speak to a member of the senior leadership team, but he was told there was no one available to speak to.
The school has defended the policy, saying it has been introduced "to maximise teaching time and avoid disrupting lessons".
NHS guidance says tampons or sanitary towels should be changed at least every four hours, and preferably more often.
Plan International UK, a children's charity which focuses on gender equality, says 48 per cent of girls aged between 14 and 21 in the UK feel embarrassed by their period.
"I'm certain that any child in need of the toilet, especially for personal hygiene reasons, is less likely to perform at their best within the lesson," the father added.
"I find it absurd that school leaders would consider removing the option for children to use toilet as a suitable, ethical or sustainable way to control behaviour."
A school spokesman said: "After returning to our normal school routines we have reintroduced systems where the main school toilets are open for use as normal at the start of the day, during break times, lunchtimes and at the end of the day only.
"Pupils are therefore asked to use the facilities outside of lesson time whenever possible.
“This has been reintroduced to maximise teaching time and avoid disrupting lessons. During lessons pupils can use the bathroom if they have a toilet pass. We are continuing to monitor this system.”
But the father of the NIA student hit back at the idea of the toilet pass: "I can certainly remember the social pressures of school.
"I simply cannot imagine the distress it might cause for a young woman be required to wave around a signpost that she is on her period."
