Students say school toilet rules create anxiety

Students say they have been left feeling embarrassed and anxious due to "baffling" school toilet restrictions.

Holly, from Pentyrch, Cardiff, said she would frequently be denied permission to go to the toilet during class, or struggle to find one that was not "locked off", which contributed to her decision to be home-schooled.

"I don't understand why, it's a normal, natural human thing," she said.

It comes after a UK-wide survey found 65% of students were unable to access toilets at their school freely at any time.

Cardiff council said it acknowledged the challenges faced by schools but was committed to working with them to find solutions for pupils to access toilets when needed.

Holly, who is autistic and has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and sensory processing disorder, previously attended Radyr Comprehensive School but began being home-schooled with an online tutor in January 2024.

The 15-year-old said toilet rules were a "major contributor" in the decision.

"Sometimes we would have to ask in front of the class and we would be denied, sometimes we would have to tell them why we needed to go to the toilet," she said.

"It was hugely embarrassing, you would toy with yourself [as to] whether you had the confidence to put up your hand and ask. It's a big feeling of potential judgement."

Holly said she and her friends had "bled through our underwear", adding: "One of my friends bled through onto a chair and had to do a walk of shame. It was one of her first periods and people made fun of her for weeks."

She said some toilets were "locked off" during class time, to stop pupils going to certain parts of the school.

Holly added there was "massive inequality" for menstruating students, who sometimes had to detour to the school office to get period products.

"Even the women in the school act like they don't understand what it's like.

"I don't understand why period products can't be in the toilets."

She said she accepted that misbehaviour in the toilets - such as vandalism, vaping and truancy - was a concern for staff, but she wanted them to "address those issues" instead of "punishing good students".

Holly eventually secured a toilet pass, which meant teachers had to allow her out, but said she still faced challenges.

"I am autistic, so the toilets were a space where I could regulate," she explained, adding if she took too long someone would "bang on the door" or think she was "skiving off".

She said this could lead to being overwhelmed.

"One thing gets bigger and bigger until I feel like I am going to explode, and then I can't go back to class and I miss valuable learning time."

She said she was now "much happier" as she could "do what I need to, when I need to".

Holly's mum, Jo Wallace, said she was "baffled" by the toilet rules, adding teenagers were "expected to be very mature and make big life decisions" but also "not trusted" to use the toilets.

"I can't understand how schools have got to this point," she said.

"I think it's laziness, because I think there are ways they could address issues without blocking [toilets] off.

"They need to realise it's having a very detrimental effect."

She added: "It's a difficult time getting your period in school, and they have so much pressure on them already.

"I went to Radyr myself and it wasn't like that, we had access to the toilets at all points, it wasn't an issue."

Ms Wallace said she understood teachers had to follow policies, but questioned the "benefit" of the rules on "children who are just trying to get through the day".

A UK-wide survey by Caerphilly-based company phs Group, in partnership with menstrual justice charity Irise International, found 65% of students were unable to access toilets at their school freely at any time.

Of these, 29% needed permission from a teacher to leave the classroom and 15% required a pass to be issued.

Of the 501 teachers who took part, 5% reported school toilets being locked at some point during the school day, including break times, with 4% saying they were shut all the time.

And16% said they had prevented a student who had periods from using the bathroom during class, with reasons including students wanting to skip lessons or meet friends.

About 30% felt students on their periods should wait until the end of a lesson.

Erin, a sixth form student at Bedwas High School in Caerphilly county, said following renovations to the school toilets, facilities were now designated to different year groups but were not equal in terms of access to sanitary products and bins.

The 17-year-old said toilets were locked during lessons and permission was mostly denied apart from a "handful" of times, "if you say it's an emergency".

"When I've needed to go to change my period products, I've been refused. Because I really needed to go, I decided to speak out in class about why [and] ended up walking out and been told off," she said.

Like Holly, Erin said she understood "behavioural issues" were the reason for the restrictions, but added it was unfair on others.

"Not everyone can raise their voice in class and say exactly why they need to go. And having to do this in front of teachers and boys in the class could be embarrassing.

"One of my friends was too shy to speak up, and she leaked through her uniform."

Cardiff council said more than £1m had been invested through its Period Dignity initiative which aims to improve school facilities "to ensure dignity for learners".

"Secondary schools are provided with a variety of period products, and dispensers have been installed in school toilets to ensure easy access to period products without needing to ask staff," it said.

"We acknowledge the challenges some schools face in keeping toilet facilities free from anti-social behaviour and ensuring safeguarding, which may lead to restricted use during the day. However, we are committed to working with schools to find solutions that ensure pupils can access toilets when needed."

Caerphilly council said toilet regulations were made by schools, adding it recommended parents discuss any issues with their child's school directly by following the complaints policy.