Children at a Fazakerley academy will need to provide “medical evidence” to use the toilet during lesson times.
In a letter to parents seen by the ECHO, Chris Wilson, principal at Dixons Academy on Longmoor Lane, said from Monday May 23, children would not be allowed to leave lessons for a toilet break without a medical pass. Outlining the reason for the move, Mr Wilson wrote that “being prepared for later life means students must learn to manage their time well, including their use of the toilet.”
The letter added: “Any time out of lessons means missed learning time, which undermines their chances of success. Due to this from Monday May 23, students will not be permitted to use the toilet during learning time unless they have a medical pass, which has been provided by medical evidence.”
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Mr Wilson, head of the academy since it was changed from Fazakerley High School in September 2021, said that Dixons promises “to empower students so that we fulfil our mission of ensuring every student succeeds at university or a real alternative, thrives in a rewarding career and has a happy and purposeful life.” His letter to parents, issued via email, said members of the academy’s leadership team would meet with students in receipt of a toilet pass and “reassure students on the systems available to them.”
A meeting is to be held with the academy’s extended leadership team from 3.30pm to 4.30pm on Friday at the Longmoor Lane location, with staff on hand to “listen to and resolve any concerns regarding use of the toilet during social time only”. Mr Wilson’s letter added: “We trust that you will support our students in making this change to their routine so that they maximise their learning time in lessons and learn to plan and manage their day well as young adults.”
Parents who feel their child “may experience difficulty in this update” are advised to contact the academy to discuss the matter further. The decision has been met with upset online, with parents also expressing their fury to the LDRS.
One parent, John Hope said: “It’s a disgrace, always something at the school, phone never stops dinging with rule this rule that, it’s a prison camp. Young ladies need private times and if you need to go the loo it’s beyond your control.
“I will be telling my kids if they need to go, be polite and have manners but leave and go.” Another parent described the move as “absolutely disgusting” while some said it was “so out of order, what are they going to do next?”
Dixons Academy was established in September last year following the closure of the existing Fazakerley High School on Longmoor Lane. It is part of the wider Dixons Academies Trust, a multi academy trust of schools in West Yorkshire and the North West.
The Trust provides education provision from primary through to sixth form, outside of the local authority boundaries and its website says the trust has more than 30 years of experience “running our own affairs.” As it is not run by Liverpool Council, the Trust is able to set its own curriculums, term dates and school hours.
