Single sex toilets at secondary (not a trans thread)

I work in a school with 'open' loos - a row of cubicles, floor to ceiling doors with self enclosed sinks etc open to the corridor - supposed to mean less mucking about...

Anyway, I noticed that so many girls were asking to use the loo right at the beginning of the lessons, when they had just had their break - turns out, they hated these open loos. No privacy.

One day, when I was on my period and the staff loo was occupied, I had to use one of the pupil loos, and as I opened my sanitary pad (never a very loud noise, I thought), there was a huge banging on the door of my cubicle and loafs of laughing and shouting - when I emerged, about four boys ran off (they didn't expect a teacher to emerge) and some girls waiting told me that the boys listen out for the girls opening the packaging of their sanitary protection....

There is a rule at my school not to allow students out of the classroom in lessons for the loo. I always let girls go now - if anyone ever asks me why, I will tell them....

Just awful.

womansplaceuk.org/mixed-sex-toilets-ins-chools/

On the paragraph headed by the text 'Paragraph 13'. Note the use of the word 'must'.

This isn't a school in Staffs is it? If so there was something on Twitter about this and a plea to a journo to apply some pressure. Appreciate the difficulties schools are facing on these matters but at the very least an Equality Impact Assessment absolutely needs to happen.

I posted about the same happening in my sons primary school, I was told it was because they could not logistically under the guidelines do this in any other way.

It might not be ideal from a toileting point of view, but I can see why it's being done.
I would ask how they plan to protect privacy, rather than push for it not to happen.

Here's the relevant part of Regulation 4 mentioned in the below:

"Toilet and washing facilities
4.—(1) Subject to paragraph (3), suitable toilet and washing facilities must be provided for the sole use of pupils.

(2) Separate toilet facilities for boys and girls aged 8 years or over must be provided except where the toilet facility is provided in a room that can be secured from the inside and that is intended for use by one pupil at a time."

The Regulations are stated to apply to all schools maintained by local authorities in England. I'm assuming that applies to you.

Paragraph 13 of non-statutory government guidance 'Gender separation in mixed schools'

(June 2018) may assist you and direct you to the relevant primary legislation. I'm afraid I'm struggling to post a link but Google that title and it should come up.

It says:
"It is permissible for toilet and boarding accommodation facilities to be separate as they are captured under existing statutory exceptions. Separate toilet and washing
facilities must be provided for boys and girls aged 8 years and over pursuant to Regulation 4 of the School Premises (England) Regulations 2012, which falls within
the exemption provided for in Schedule 22 of the Equality Act 2010. With regards to
boarding accommodation, Schedule 23 of the Equality Act 2010 allows for separation by sex providing the same standard of accommodation is provided for both boys and
girls." (all emphasis added by me)

Personally I think it is demeaning for girls especially when on their periods. Imagine having to use machine to get tampons when boys are in there hanging about. A recipe for disaster.

How does channelling them all through the one toilet stop them from mixing? As a Covid precautions go, that doesn't seem particularly effective.

Basically demonstrating why girls need separate loos from the boys.

My dd starts high school in September. All of the toilets have been changed already ( couple of years ago I think) where there are no closed doors to the whole 'block' but the female toilets are separated from the males and the cubicles are not able to be seen to any other individuals. I don't know if I am explaining myself well here cos I've had a couple of wines.

But basically boys were upskirting girls in mixed sex toilets. The school stopped this and now have a girls cubicle which are toilets with no gaps in. Self contained cubicles that males are not able to enter.

I wonder why they do this. There must be a way to keep the loos the same or keep the years separate.

I'm almost positive it's not legal for children over 8 (someone here will have the proper legislation details).

I suppose it does depend on how they've converted them e.g totally enclosed bathrooms complete with sink and no gaps in the door - although that poses additional risks in itself if a child was to fall ill, self harm, do drugs in there etc...