To ask what you think to this school new rule?

[Redsatin109]

Just heard from other parents that apparently they’ll be reducing the amount of water y2 and upwards can have next year. So limiting the amount of times they can access their water bottle. This is because they’re only allowed to go to the toilets at breaks/lunch and it’s to limit toileting accidents in the classroom.

I'm not being disingenuous at all.

Neither are they stuck to them all day in class or asking constantly to go to the toilet 🤷🏻‍♀️

I agree with it, children survived for centuries drinking water on their 2 daily breaks in school.
Maybe include an afternoon 5 minutes drink break.

Honestly, some children suck on them constantly. Some bring in Stanley cups bigger than a labrador (pretty sure it's water in there and I should know because it gets spilt left right and diddly).

Some children are asking to go to the loo 7/8 times a day (a TA keeping a log because there was scribble and poo on the walls is a waste of their time). It's madness. Not my class - I just cover PPA before anyone asks me why I don't sort the children out.

I can see both sides. I'd certainly have abused the ability to go and fill a water bottle up at will 😅

As far as denying water to stop toilet trips though, that can get in the bin. I remember my school trying to bring a 'no bathroom breaks during lessons' policy in. My parents told me unequivocally that if I needed the loo, I was to go to the loo and they'd deal with anyone at school who had an issue with it.

I don't think the 'policy' lasted a week. Absolutely ludicrous to dictate when someone can use a bathroom, child or otherwise.

Check about the new rule, but we never had any drinks outside of break/lunch at primary school and survived. What I find the worst part is limiting children to toilet use at only breaktimes! It is illegal to limit staff to toilet breaks at work yet they can impose this on children. I recall very clearly a teacher telling me no in class, I was about 5/6, and I wet myself and the evil hag claimed "it was a joke"! I was a kid and wouldn't know that and she was a temp who wanted the job, but never got it thankfully. The whole thing left me very upset and I never wet myself again and it was such a clear early memory no kid should go through. It needs to be illegal to restrict toilet use. What if a girl had a period start, someone had a bad stomach suddenly or throw up. I'd be complaining and getting that changed asap.😡

How do you know? Let me guess … because they tell you so and they would never, ever lie … 🤣

Most secondary schools already do this though …

I have vivid memories of being thirsty throughout primary school

Science told us that hydrated brains worked better

I've worked in schools almost 30 years, you build it in to your school day, they know how they can grab a drink without a fuss. It's not disruptive until somebody's lied comes off!

As a teacher I despise water bottles. Constant drinking then toilet breaks, bottles leaking in bags, being dropped and breaking or knocked over and ruining pieces of work. I worked in a school where was there was 1 refill point for 5 classes teaching after lunch was a nightmare with children asking out to refill queue would be masive with kids messing about. Unless it's a hot day or a medical issue children should be able to cope having a drink at break and lunch and after pe

I actually have a very good relationship with the school, teachers and management team, so I actually do know 🤷🏻‍♀️.

I am a science teacher. The number of year 7 who are outraged at the request of putting their water bottle in their bag and not touching it for 55 minutes is incredible. I'm pretty sure I've never needed constant sips of water. It lasts a good 6-8 months before they realise they'll cope!

But I can see the issue from the other side of genuine thirst at a bit of an awkward time meaning they have to go find their bottles, then so do 18 others in the class.

It’s fine.

I can’t see anything wrong with this except maybe on exceptionally hot days. Certainly wouldn’t have bothered me if it had been implemented when my children were at school.

Will be less disruption to class and long term

helps prepare them for adulthood and the workplace. Just like having to wear correct uniform can do.

So? It's a ridiculous rule and I'd hope any parent with a couple of braincells to rub together would be telling their kids to ignore it if they genuinely needed the bathroom.

Schools' occasionally absolute nonsense rules are a great opportunity to introduce your kids to the fact that life is sometimes unfair.

Forcing them to themselves in front of their friends when there is a toilet just meters away isn't one of those times.

Can you provide a link to this research- crucially the bit that defines “hydrated”?

So? It’s not the end of the world to feel thirsty. There’s the opportunity to have a drink at break and lunch, which is not more than an hour and a half away at any time.

unless it’s a heatwave, kids don’t need constant access to water. A drink before school, one at 10.30 break and another at lunch is fine.

WhatsApp groups bring out the worst in people.
When I was in year 2 they could have their drink until register was taken, so they had 15 mins for drinks and toilet. If input was being given then they were not expected to leave for the toilet during that, but were allowed (one at a time) to go when at tables. After lunch they also were allowed drinks on the carpet while the register was taken and the same rules regarding no one leaves during input but could ask when at tables.
They were also reminded to take drinks out for break and lunch and that this was when to go to the toilet. They were not allowed to come in from break/lunch and immediately want to go to the toilet as they had just had plenty of time. Obviously there were some exceptions which staff were aware of and these children were allowed the toilet at any point.
I expect if these mums actually asked the teacher they would discover the rules aren't as draconian as they believe.

I agree with the posters saying that surely they can go a short while without water? When I was at primary school, we started at 9.am, break was around 10.30, lunch around 12.15 (for 45 mins) and then finished at 15.30.

Loads of opportunities for drinks. I don’t ever remember anyone having a drinks bottle out at school and I finished 6th form in 1999.

This. We had water fountains to drink from too in the playground.

Course you do 😂
And angelic children 😂

So why have an issue with the rule? Just to be that awkward, headstrong, demanding busybody?