July 21, 2025

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Students say school toilet rules create anxiety

Students say school toilet rules create anxiety

Summary

Some students are stressed and embarrassed because of strict rules about using school toilets. Holly, a 15-year-old student, chose home-schooling partly due to these rules, which made accessing the toilet difficult, especially for students who need them at specific times or for those managing periods.

Key Facts

  • Holly, a student from Cardiff, left school partly because of difficulty accessing toilets.
  • A survey found that 65% of students across the UK cannot use school toilets freely at any time.
  • Cardiff council is working with schools to improve toilet access for students.
  • Holly faced issues due to being autistic, needing the toilet as a calming space.
  • Rules often require students to ask for permission in front of classmates, causing embarrassment.
  • Some school toilets are locked during class, limiting access further.
  • Menstruating students face added challenges, such as needing to go to the school office for period products.
  • Holly's mother is confused by the rules, suggesting that the restrictions may have negative impacts on students.

Source Information