A school has sparked anger among parents after removing mirrors from its bathrooms because pupils would not stop gathering around them.
Wey Valley Academy in Weymouth, Dorset, has come under fire after introducing the measure to tackle what it described as “congestion and behaviour issues” in the toilets.
The school said students were crowding around the mirrors, causing “delays, overcrowding, and in some cases, behaviour that made the space less comfortable for others”.
But the explanation has gone down badly with some parents, with one branding it “a joke”, according to the Bournemouth Echo.
One mother of two girls said she was “outraged” by the decision.She said: “Being a teen/pre teen is hard enough and removing the mirrors when they need to fix their hair, check that they haven't something in their teeth, or even check their lunch isn't on their face.
“One of my daughter's friends had to remove a piercing and replace it with a clear stud – without a mirror to do this safely.
“Both boys and girls have so many insecurities and I feel this will just add to ever growing pressures.”
Another parent said mirrors are not just for vanity and may be needed by students with eye issues or those who genuinely need to check their reflection. She said the school’s explanation “wasn't very clear” and described the move as “poorly communicated”.
In an email to parents outlining the new policy, headteacher Steven Dyer said the rule followed feedback from staff and students.
He wrote: “We noticed that the mirrors were contributing to congestion and behaviour issues in the toilets, particularly during busy periods.
“Students were often gathering around the mirrors, which led to delays, overcrowding, and, in some cases, behaviour that made the space less comfortable for others.
“Removing the mirrors is intended to enable us to keep the toilets calmer, safer, and more focused on their intended use.
“Our priority is always to maintain a safe and positive environment for all students, and this change has already made a noticeable improvement.”
Wey Valley Academy has been approached for comment.
