Mixed sex changing rooms in a Brighton secondary school - part 3 - we're really cooking now

It's what's happening in some secondary schools in Fife - sinks are open to the corridor - there's a space where a door should be. (The door frame is there...only the door is missing.)

In one school built in the '80s they achieved a similar level of inconvenience for female pupils by putting in large windows which allowed you to see into the sink area.

It's supposed to stop bullying and vandalism...

It does not stop bullying and vandalism.

Moreover, in new build schools staff were initially expected to share facilities with pupils. One school circumvented this by declaring that one set of toilets was for staff only. Another told staff to use the disabled toilets.

The solution (If there was one) depended on the HT. There was one male HT who refused to set aside toilets for staff. It was later realised that he was making use of a toilet "for visitors" which was very close to his office.

How did all these changes to a perfectly functioning, safe and workable system come about? Is it really down to the power of the trans lobby? Or is the trans thing a Trojan horse to break all the social contract stuff and remove safeguarding, privacy, dignity, safety et al?

Am happy to send it to them, any ideas where to should head to?

That looks like a very clear set of instructions. I wonder if Sex Matters have got/would like a copy as an example of good practice?

4MB total file...

And part 2

Higher resolution, I hope

Yes. And the Op's daughter's school demands that girls mustv also undress in front of chosen boys.

I hope OP, that when you get the Head / govs in front of a judge, they're asked whether this compelled undressing applies to any male PE staff who claim to be women as well? Presumably there's no difference in expecting a girl to undress in front of a teenage boy or a man if they both claim to be women??

I was at a girls' school and periods were embarrassing enough, especially at the beginning. I can't imagine having to do all this without privacy from boys.

I read stuff like this and I can't believe my eyes. How the hell have some fools decided this is an appropriate thing to put young girls through? And female teachers say nothing?

You wouldn’t be the only one. Girls do miss school because they don’t want to use shared facilities including visible to the corridor sinks when on their period.

Its well known in this country and other countries.

Dear God, enclosed toilets with no sink, forcing women and girls to leave the cubicle with unwashed, possibly bloody hands and clean themselves in full view of anyone? It’s unbelievable.
I’m well past normal menopause age but have a current condition that means I’m bleeding (am being well looked after, expecting resolution soon) rather like a normal heavy but prolonged period. Amazingly, I had “forgotten” about the pain, mess, indignity and expense of menstruation, rather in the way that one “forgets” childbirth. It’s horrendous.
If I were a girl forced to use such toilets my reaction would be very straightforward. I wouldn’t go to school when on my period. I might not even go at all.

Sorry to hijack your thread. Our new department fit out has 3 fully enclosed toilets but has shared sink facilities. Is this acceptable?
Also our girls toilets are all fully enclosed on a corridor but washing facilities are basically on the corridor.

Good luck in your school, the new guidelines are clear.

Thank you

In technical terms ‘facilities’ means the washbasins too.

The poster is indicating washbasins are to be private from the opposite sexes. Which should be by sight and sound. This of course is in line with ADT and BS6465. Which is good.

Isn’t it amazing that no one (except me) has analysed what happens to safety when you change design from semi private single sex cubicles (in a washroom private to that sex), to private self-contained toilet provision open to both sexes?

Adding any expensive, individual self-contained ‘lockable’ private units, open to both sexes, is going to bring a whole new level of safeguarding nightmare. For the same reasons radar keys were introduced years ago. I know what’s going to happen which is so frustrating. All I can hope is that there are as few as possible and most schools advertise the unisex option (which has traditionally been designed to be opposite reception so staff can keep a real-time eye on who/how many are going in).

Good to see a Trust taking this seriously. Can't read all the text but what I can looks accurate.

Just posted this on your other thread.

This was just shared, and must be read by all members of staff in the 38 schools in my Trust.

It was sent by our DSL

I can attempt to download and send it via a message, if helpful to anyone?

@MarieDeGournay

"And is it only me who hears the William Tell Overture whenever KTS is invoked and unfailingly appears, wielding Facts?😁"

You are not the only one! 😂

The school are being beyond pig headed, which is no surprise. They seem to exist in an inescapable, air-tight echo chamber where other sounds or ideas can't penetrate.

OP, best wishes to you, and to your daughter for year 11.

These toilets sound perfect for bullying, upskirting, voyerism, sexual harassment, period shaming and rape. I would be amazed if girls want to use them.

Those toilets sound an utter nightmare, is this era of mobile phones.

Make individuals responsible. That will focus a few minds!

indeed. And if they don't get to sue them, then they should name and shame them

Yes they’re doubling down and they don’t give a shit about the safety and dignity of girls and boys.

Someone should sue the arse off the actual people who are signing this off. Make individuals responsible. That will focus a few minds!