A HEADTEACHER has spoken out after CCTV in children's toilets sparked "anxiety and stress", according to a parent.

Pete Main has explained why CCTV is needed at Priestlands School.

The school in Lymington claims that the cameras are for safety but a parent says they make children "stressed and anxious".

Daily Echo: A view from inside the school toilets showing the CCTV camera above a cubical door. A view from inside the school toilets showing the CCTV camera above a cubical door. (Image: Anonymous)

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One father, whose 16-year-old daughter is in Year 11 said it's "unfair" to have this "added stress at school".

The camera is visible over the cubicle door when sat on the toilet, however, the school claims the cameras are in a "fixed position" pointing at the sinks.

Daily Echo: A CCTV image inside the toilets at Priestlands School.A CCTV image inside the toilets at Priestlands School. (Image: Priestlands School)

The 44-year-old parent said: "They obviously have the cameras there to catch students vaping or vandalism, but it's only a small minority causing those issues.

"My daughter is sat on the toilets and she feels like there's a camera pointing right at her.

"I don't agree with it and I don't think it's right.

"The camera might very well be pointing away from them but it looks like it is facing them.

"It's causing stress and anxiety with these students."

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Addressing the concerns, Mr Main said the cameras are in place to "protect the school site".

He added that toilets are an area where bullying could occur and students might feel "intimidated".

"The cameras protect the sinks," he said.

"But they're also there to increase personal safety.

"The cameras are to make students feel safer, not to make them uncomfortable."

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Mr Main said that the CCTV is "controlled very carefully" and can only be accessed by senior members of staff.

He said that the CCTV footage will only be requested if there has been an incident in one of the toilets.

According to the school's CCTV privacy notice, footage is only held for up to 10 days.

The CCTV policy says: "The location of cameras has been carefully considered.

"Cameras will not be positioned in areas where there is a particularly high expectation of privacy e.g. toilet cubicles and changing rooms."