Weston Secondary School pupils protest against unisex toilets

Pupils at Weston Secondary School, on Tickleford Drive, rallied together to challenge rules stopping them from leaving lessons to go to the loo.

Students say they feel "uncomfortable" using same-gendered toilets, with one parent claiming her daughter has stopped using the loo altogether when in school.

Chanting 'toilet rights', Year 10 student, Cloe Keeley, was among those who gathered outside the toilets during third period yesterday to march around the ground.

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Cloe, 14, said: "We don't think it's fair, girls in our school are not comfortable.

"People think it's funny to unlock the doors while you're in there. 

"We're trying to tell the teacher that it's just not fair. 

"We've tried to talk to them before we did a protest but they're just ignoring it."

Another 14-year-old student added: "We have gone to the headteacher about it before and they just tell you what you want to hear and don't do anything about it. 

"You're also not allowed to leave lessons to go to the toilet which isn't fair on girls who are menstruating. 

"If you have a girl emergency you should be allowed to go to the toilet when you need to."

Students at Weston Secondary School have been protesting against uni-sex toilets (Image: g)

The uni-sex toilets were introduced in September.

Those who cannot leave lessons to go to the toilet could be waiting up to two hours before they are able to go during break or lunchtime, students say.

Cloe's mum, Nicole, said: "My daughter doesn't feel comfortable going to the toilet. 

"The boys have got this thing about putting their phone over the toilet or under the doors to try to get pictures of them. 

"I am not happy, I don't like the fact my daughter is uncomfortable going to the toilet - she's a child, she's a minor.

"She's not going to the toilet all day while she's at school.

"I have even contacted the school about it but they haven't done anything. 

"Why did the school not tell us about it before and get people's opinions before they put something in place?"

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The Echo understands that students from Oasis Academy Mayfield were also protesting yesterday over the same issue, however the school declined to comment.

The Daily Echo has contacted Weston Secondary School for a comment and is waiting for a response.

Its equality policy says: "Gender (including transgender) – we recognise that girls and boys, men and women have different needs."