Protests erupt at several schools over ‘disgusting’ toilet rules with ‘tables flipped and kids locked in by teachers’
PROTESTS have erupted at several schools over "disgusting" toilet rules with parents claiming students were locked in class.
The furious youngsters were said to be banding together with their peers against new systems that change the way they can use the school loos.
Students at three schools across the country have protested the rules, with videos at two of them showing mass crowds gathering.
Another clip shows pupils at one school chanting "toilets" as they aggressively shake a fence.
Parents say chaos erupted at Cornwall's Penrice Academy, the Farnley Academy in Leeds and Devon's Cullompton Community College.
Students at Penrice Academy allegedly told their mums and dads that everything kicked off there this morning.
Read more on UK news
Parents said they'd heard an ambulance and police were called to the school, too.
The youngsters were said to be up in arms after the school said students would not be allowed to use the toilets during lessons.
The pupils were also told they could request "red card period passes" for them to use when required.
They let their peers know the protest "about toilet rights" was going ahead today by posting on Facebook.
But parents said the protest quickly ";got out of hand", reported.
Videos of the school showed mobs of youngsters shaking a fence chanting "toilets" repeatedly.
One parent said: "Just to let you know that my daughter has just called me to say the protest has got out of hand and students are flipping tables.
"The children are now not allowed out for break."
'PRISON OR SCHOOL?'
Photos of the school showed massive crowds of schoolkids gathered together outside today, allegedly during class time.
A spokesperson for The GORSE Academies Trust said: "We are aware that some comments are being made in respect of toilets and their availability during the school day.
"To keep all students safe during times when members of staff are not on duty, we have asked students to only use the centrally located toilets during lesson time. These toilets are OPEN during ALL lesson times, are accessible from all parts of the school, and a member of staff is present to ensure all students are safe.
"I understand anti-social behaviour happens but is this prison or school?"
READ MORE SUN STORIES
But the school stood by its decision, saying: “The decision we have taken brings us in line with many schools across the country and is commonplace.
"It follows our concerns – shared by many students who we discussed this matter with before reaching a decision – that more positive behaviour would be achieved if the toilet blocks were more open plan."