Students are being made to feel ‘intense discomfort’ by having toilet doors removed in schools and colleges, it has been claimed. BirminghamLive reported that complaints had been made in a letter sent to a number of academies and schools in the city.
According to the Birmingham Young Conservatives the removal of toilet doors “results in heightened levels of distress and anxiety” leading to students avoiding the use of the facilities. In one instance at Fairfax School in Sutton Coldfield around 50 Fairfax Academy students and alumni signed the letter addressed to headteacher Sean Castle.
In a video posted on his Twitter page earlier this year, Mr Castle said the outer and inner doors for the boys and girls toilets were removed to stop pupils from congregating inside and missing lessons. This he said was done for “student safety and safeguarding”, while the toilet cubicles remain with doors as normal.
Mr Castle added: “It allows members of staff to see into the toilets and if (the pupils) are congregating in there we can move them on. As with any other school and I’ve been to Plantsbrook, Arthur Terry, all the local schools - there are open plan toilets.”
The letter was sent to Fairfax Academy, John Willmott School, Plantsbrook School, Sutton Coldfield College, King Edward VI Aston Grammar for Boys, Cadbury Sixth Form, Bartley Green School and Arthur Terry School. The letter said: “We are writing to you as concerned young people of Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield regarding the topic of a rising number of local schools deciding to remove their toilet doors.
“Privacy is an unequivocal right that must be upheld within every educational institution. The removal of toilet doors gravely undermines the privacy of individuals utilising these facilities. Privacy not only ensures personal comfort but also fosters a safe environment where students and staff can attend to their needs without feeling exposed or vulnerable. Disturbingly, we have received reports from concerned students who assert that the absence of toilet doors has allowed staff members to intrude upon their privacy, causing significant distress among students, particularly female students.
“Without appropriate privacy measures, students are subjected to risks of vulnerability, resulting in heightened levels of distress and anxiety. Consequently, students are already avoiding the use of these facilities altogether. It is imperative to prioritise the well-being of students when making decisions that directly impact their everyday lives.”
The letter claims the policy has not worked to address issues such as bullying and vaping. BirminghamLive contacted eight educational centres whose names appeared in the letter. Fairfax School principal Sean Castle told BirminghamLive: “Fairfax Academy and Fairfax Multi Academy Trust have invested in the modernisation of school toilets in the summer as we realised the toilets needed upgrading. These will be open plan separate boys and girls toilets, which are designed by architects based on other designs in other schools across the country.”
Bartley Green School said: “We wish to confirm that all of our toilets have doors and have always had doors. Also, the student name listed for Bartley Green does not attend the school.” John Willmott School added: “We can confirm that this does not apply to us as we have not removed any toilet doors.”
It comes after dozens of parents protest about a school’s decision to put metal bars over toilet doors. Around 50 mums and dads let their voices be heard outside Discovery Academy in Bentilee, Staffordshire, in February.
