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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

school toilets

40 replies

chillykiwi · 18/12/2019 16:28

Every day the DCs come home and dash to the toilet because they won't or can't go at school. Three areas of the school with toilets are locked/out of bounds at breaks and lunch because there are no staff in those areas, another has 'manky' toilets and the other is where the kids who vape go to vape.

WIBU to email the school and ask them to address this?

OP posts:

JuniperSling · 18/12/2019 20:35

Nothing's changed then since I was at school in the 80's ~ I still have recurring nightmares about filthy blocked toilets!

itsmecathycomehome · 18/12/2019 20:47

There are two sets of toilets open. Your kid would just rather not use them. So he's got two choices hasn't he - suck it up and use them despite hygiene and vaping issues, or wait until he gets home.

You can ring school but they'll tell you that they're cleaned daily and supervised as much as man-hours will allow. I expect, like everywhere, they struggle to recruit midday staff.

Original poster

chillykiwi · 18/12/2019 20:51

They need to address the issue of children vaping in the toilets though.

OP posts:

alyssajonno · 18/12/2019 20:55

@Chillykiwi

I am sure if he was that desperate he would use the loo, They should all be available at break and lunch though

Original poster

chillykiwi · 18/12/2019 21:44

He (or his older sibling) don't, they wait and come bursting through the door and compete for who gets to the downstairs one first. The loser has to go upstairs

OP posts:

OlaEliza · 18/12/2019 21:54

If the toilets can only be open if supervised, how come one is taken over by vaping kids?

And why do they need supervised toilets anyway?

christma5 · 18/12/2019 22:00

The cleanliness I doubt you can do anything about as they'll say they have cleaning staff going in every evening. The vaping is the issue they need to tackle as I'm assuming it's breeching school policy. Maybe regular patrols set up to monitor the toilets in question.

alyssajonno · 18/12/2019 22:07

@chillykiwi

As harsh as it sounds they are just going to have to continue holding on all day because there is not much that can be done about the state of the loos. Surely there are urinals? Do you know the vaping is true?

DropZoneOne · 18/12/2019 22:14

DDs secondary school implemented the same as @snaga over the summer. All toilets now unisex, boys one side, girls the other, sinks in the middle, open to corridor.

There was a bit of an outcry from some parents over girls' privacy but the head explained it had hugely cut down on bullying and teachers could patrol at breaks because they just needed to post someone at the entrance to each one.

itsmecathycomehome · 18/12/2019 22:27

"And why do they need supervised toilets anyway?"

OP said that three out of the five sets of toilets are out of bounds during lunchtime because they are in parts of the school that are locked as they are unsupervised.

You couldn't open, say, the science block if there wasn't an adult anywhere in the science block, it wouldn't be safe and you can imagine how some would take advantage.

I expect that only the toilets that are in the open, populated, supervised parts of the school are open.

Yes they need to address the vaping but that's easier said than done and has been an issue in secondary schools for decades. Unless they've got a member of staff with the time to stand outside for the duration of every break, there are going to be times when the kids can vape unchecked.

Can't they go quickly between lessons?

Original poster

chillykiwi · 20/12/2019 21:01

If the toilets can only be open if supervised, how come one is taken over by vaping kids?

They don't, it's just some are in parts of the building where there are no adults at certain times of the day, they are closed off at those times leaving the other two sets which are in parts of the building where there are always adults around. Nobody supervises the toilets but adults are in the vicinity (reception/staff room/offices etc) if there is a problem.

OP posts:

cabbageking · 20/12/2019 21:08

Email the school and report the childrens comments.

Ask them to feedback to you on the outcome of their findings.

Hohonoshow · 20/12/2019 21:26

You can pee while someone else vapes. You can bring a packet of wipes to improve a dirty toilet.

Shouldn't have to, but needs must.

surreygirl1987 · 20/12/2019 21:41

As a teacher myself I'm horrified. Having access to a toilet is a basic requirement. Get in touch with the school and say that you'll be in touch with Ofsted if this isn't sorted. Surely pupils shouldn't be vaping in the toilets anyway?!

I actually allow any of my pupils to use the toilet during lesson time - my view is if they need to go they need to go 🤷‍♀️

Itsigginingtolookalotlikexmas · 20/12/2019 21:48

They do have access to a toilet. Two sets in fact.
This isn't yet another toilet fetish thread is it?

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