Children being allowed to go to the toilet at school

So many children lie about needing the toilet desperately to skive part of lessons that where there is a child with a genuine condition it is less likely to be believed, or the school feels their policy is needed.

So many parents refuse to parent or accept their child is not an angel, schools suffer as a consequence.

Sympathy for you, suggest you go to the GP for support.

There has to be a toilet unlocked somewhere surely or where do the kids with the pass go?

My children aren't in secondary school yet but I'll be instructing them when the time comes that they are just to go to the toilet if they need to go. Even bloody prisoners can go to the toilet.

I have 3 kids who have all now thankfully left school.
I have been supportive of school and respectful of education throughout , however i will never agree or support schools restricting and refusing children the fundamental human right of using a toilet when they need to.
I actually don't understand how they actually legally get away with it , it is illegal in the workplace.
My 3 knew that if they were desperate to go during a lesson that they were to politely tell the teacher that they needed to go and if they were refused then they were to leave the room and i would sort the situation with school.
None of them ever did but they knew i would support them.
The fact that there are hellbats in schools whose behaviour is difficult to control should not have a negative effect on the genuine kids.
A kid having a 'toilet' accident in secondary school is so distressing and can cause terrible ongoing issues for them.
Can you speak to the head of her year and tell them what you have told us, they absolutely should accommodate her needs.

You need to take her to GP for her own health, it needs to be checked.

Plus you need the letter for school.

But the school approach is disgusting.

She will also take a long time to get diagnosed if you don't take her to the doctor! She sounds like she's really struggling. She should already be under investigations for this. Get an appointment booked.

She doesn’t need a diagnosis of anything she just needs a doctors note. Take her to the doctors. Not sure why this is complicated.

The school shouldn’t do this however I do think a trip to the drs is worth it! My 20 years of IBS actually turned out to be endometriosis which I didn’t realise I had until I couldn’t get pregnant - it affecting her around her period is worth an investigation!

This sounds like they're opening themselves up to being sued. There are many conditions and disabilities that take years to be diagnosed, and an absence of diagnosis is not an absence of need.

It sounds like if your daughter is like you then her bathroom needs do have a substantial functional impact on her days so she does need to see a doctor, but I highly doubt it's legal for the school to have access to all her medical records. They're not entitled to know everything about her medical history, they can only politely request what is relevant.

I worked in a school where the office kept the key to the toilet which could be accessed outside break and lunchtime.

I think this is probably a load of bollocks , there could potentially be medical history that is mostly irrelevant to the situation or history that is completely private and confidential and your daughters private business only.
Ask to see the legalities of this request.
There are too many schools nowadays behaving like this ,hoping that their silly unfair rules will be followed without question or explanation.

I knew there'd be someone in AIBU who'd blame parents for schools locking bathrooms. LOL.

Full stop, schools shouldn't lock bathrooms. It doesn't have anything to do with parenting whatsoever. It's completely unacceptable and wouldn't be tolerated in any other environment, including prisons. It is absolutely not something adults should shrug at and go "well, the bad apples spoil it for everyone."

It sounds to me that they will accept any form of medical evidence but should you not wish/be able to provide a GP letter, a screenshot of their diagnosis is sufficient. Which is quite different from requesting full medical records.

Op go to the head teacher then above him or her to the school governors if you have them. No one should have to suffer it won’t be allowed in the workplace so why do schools think it is ok. Imagine the kids getting uti or constipation because of this. Also explain your dd doesn’t want everyone knowing her issues where is the kids mental wellness coming into this situation.

My DS works in a school. They’ve been forced to implement a new ‘toilet pass’ system and have to have a member of staff to sign pupils into the toilets during lessons simply because of the number of pupils leaving lessons to vape.

It’s terrifying that so many children are seriously addicted to nicotine, and also sad that it’s the kids with genuine toilet needs who are suffering because of it.

Doctors often charge for letters which I think is why they are saying medical records fine.

I shall be having this issue for my DS in a couple of years.

The nhs app. Also, just take her to the doctors. Why wouldnt you?!

The point is that they don't need a diagnosis. They need a letter from a professional evidencing toileting needs. I do this all the time in my job. I do an assessment for functional needs and provide a letter detailing what support is required. Half the time it's done for patients who don't yet have a diagnosis but the need is evident nonetheless. Never had an issue.

That's appalling. I'd go to my MP.

They should not have to give any diagnosis. Medical information should be confidential. It should be sufficient that the doctor gives a letter stating the need.

Although I actually think that children should be treated with respect and the toilets should be open all the time.

Not that i agree that its acceptable but you can just submit the notes that contain the details regarding the discussion around her toilet needs.
Its perfectly acceptable and within your rights to obliterate any other sensitive/private details