PARENTS have been left furious after their kids' school put up locked gates to stop students from using the toilets
More than 70 pupils have 'walked out' of The Discovery Academy in Stoke-on-Trent, in protest.
Furious parents are planning to stage a protest outside the school on Monday after finding out about the metal barriers, that are kept locked during lesson.
The imposing metal gates are said to be unlocked at break times and lunch times, but some parents say this new rule is 'ridiculous' reports, Stoke-on-Trent-Live.
One mum, who pulled her son out of lessons, said: "I was flicking through Snapchat when I saw one of the gates.
"I asked my son, ‘Are there gates on the toilets?' He said ‘yes’.
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"I phoned the office and asked them about it and said, ‘send my son home now'.
"They asked me why and I told them ‘because I said so, that’s why'.
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"My son asked to go to the toilet and he was told 'no'.
"He wasn't allowed and he has a medical pass.
“The parents are taking a stand against the school, I just hope that they see things from our point of view and cut the ridiculous rules.
The kids are going to rebel even more, the behaviour is going to be worse.
If you teach children respect then they give you respect back, treating them like animals is going to make them bad.”
Some of the parents believe that the barriers have been installed after recent vandalism and concerns that children are going on their phones in the toilets during lessons.
But others think the move is 'humiliating' for girls.
Medical passes are said to be available for pupils to use the toilet at any time.
Another mum said: "Girls of a certain age need to use the toilet – sometimes at short notice.
"It’s hard enough being a girl at that age never mind bleeding through in front of your whole class.
"I’m not having my daughter humiliated.
"With periods young girls don’t know when they are coming.
"You try to prepare as much as possible but there are still incidents.
"You can’t prepare for an upset stomach, I think it’s disgusting."
Tensions were already running high after some comments about make-up were made in an assembly earlier in the week.
One mum said: "A bit of make-up is not affecting their chances.
"Covering a spot on your cheek at that age is important to them because they've got low self-esteem, but it doesn’t mean they won’t go anywhere in life."
Alpha Academies Trust (AAT) runs The Discovery Academy.
It has not commented on when the barriers are opened and locked and who qualifies for a medical pass.
An AAT spokesperson said: "At AAT we have high expectations of learning and clear processes in place to support.
"We have high standards of uniform ready for the world ahead and have processes in place for those who truant.
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"We encourage students to go to the toilet at regular set times during the day and support those with medical needs by accessing toilets at any time.
"Parental engagement is extremely important to us and we value opportunities to listen to concerns and explain the reasons for our decisions."
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