Dad blasts school amid claims pupils are being stopped from going to the toilet in lesson time

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A dad has criticised a school saying children are being stopped from going to the toilet during lesson time. The parent claims the rule was brought in at North Cestrian School, in Altrincham, Trafford, because of a number of pupils 'taking advantage and messing around' by saying they need to go even when they don't.

And despite the school saying that children who are desperate are still allowed to go, he says that's not what's happening in class and pupils have been told that all but one toilet near the reception are locked during lessons.

The father of one Year 7 pupil has told the Manchester Evening News that parents are unhappy with the stance and a few are even considering taking their children out of the school unless things change. "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