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Original poster

Yeovil school 'excludes four kids' over protest against unacceptable cameras in unisex toilets

97 replies

EweSurname · 23/03/2019 08:44

www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/yeovil-school-excludes-four-kids-2676128

Another parent got in touch with Somerset Live previously to say pupils are "getting mad and upset" due to the introduction of the mixed toilets.

The parent, who did not wish to be named, said: "Apparently the toilets contain all genders in one place, one marked male, one female and one male/female, all in together with no place for privacy.

"The girls are now worried about their safety and privacy, especially when on their periods when they will not even be able to request sanitary products from friends due to boys being in earshot.

"They are already get picked on by boys for their periods.

"There is also a security camera trained on the toilets now in the area of the cubicles and I have been told the locks on the cubicle doors are faulty."

OP posts:
MilletSentToForceIt · 23/03/2019 09:11

The Headteacher has issued a statement which says that MOST of the cubicles have their own hand wash facilities, so not all then.

I’m assuming that girls using tampons, mooncups etc would have to wash their hands in the communal mixed sex area. How does the school think this is acceptable?

ZuttZeVootEeeVro · 23/03/2019 09:18

I thought unisex toilets were supposed to reduce problems, so why the need for a security camera?

truthisarevolutionaryact · 23/03/2019 09:20

Teaching children they have no right to boundaries.
Teaching children they must consent to sharing toilets with the opposite sex.
Ignoring faith based rights to single sex facilities
How progressive

Pieceofpurplesky · 23/03/2019 09:35

Reading the article you can see that these are not the only toilets and all the others are single sex.
The camera is not in the cubicles. Sadly if pupils are not going to respect the facilities and cause damage they have to face the consequences

Funkaccino · 23/03/2019 09:43

Sadly if pupils are not going to respect the facilities and cause damage they have to face the consequences

All pupils are facing the consequences though. Not all are creating the problem

LassOfFyvie · 23/03/2019 09:45

I’m assuming that girls using tampons, mooncups etc would have to wash their hands in the communal mixed sex area

If you are going to give reasons why this is a bad idea it might help to use credible ones. I doubt many school girls use mooncups. Some posters on MN seem to be obsessed by the idea that women and girls can't change tampons without getting their hands so covered in blood it will be visible for all to see. Really? Even if you got some blood on your hands wouldn't you wipe it off with loo paper?

Funkaccino · 23/03/2019 09:49

Lass thats because lots of women do find it impossible to avoid getting blood on them when removing a tampon. Especially as a teen when periods can be unreliable. Toilet paper just smears it around.

exexpat · 23/03/2019 09:52

Lass - my DD is 16 and has been using a moon cup for a year. There are lots of girls in their mid-teens and up who are very environmentally aware, if you hadn't realised... She also has heavy periods and a moon cup copes better with that than tampons/pads.

Qwertylass · 23/03/2019 09:52

I'm sorry but I agree with the school if they are going to graffiti and damage the toilets what are they supposed to do?

Funkaccino · 23/03/2019 09:53

Also women who use mooncups are likely to give them as option to their teens. Theyre very mainstream now. A 10 year old might not want one but no reason a 15 year old wouldn't

Qwertylass · 23/03/2019 09:56

I also believe there are several lots of toilets that are not unisex so why can't the children use them?

MilletSentToForceIt · 23/03/2019 09:56

LassOfFyvie. Perfectly credible. Daughter and friends used mooncups from about year 9 onwards, they were concerned about the environment, and this was something they could do to help.

OVAgroundWOMBlingfree · 23/03/2019 09:57

Why is it so hard to understand that some women and girls get blood on their hands when dealing with their period?

Have you tried removing blood with dry tissue? It just smears it around and makes more of a mess.

Honestly, why can’t people understand that periods aren’t always neatly contained?

Pieceofpurplesky · 23/03/2019 09:58

Funk what should the school do then? Shut the toilets? Have a member of staff stood in each one all day (assuming there will be at least 4 others - so 5 extra wages)? Just let fights, vandalism etc happen?

The cctv is not in the cubicles. It's not there to do anything other than prevent damage and danger

Qwertylass · 23/03/2019 10:00

@pieceofpurplesky

Teachers and school just can't win.

TheFallenMadonna · 23/03/2019 10:01

The other toilets in the school are single sex, so access to single sex facilities us not being denied.

The behaviour described that has lead to the CCTV being installed is pretty intimidating for most students. Reducing that will make this set of cubicles more accessible.

MilletSentToForceIt · 23/03/2019 10:03

Use other toilets is not always an option. You just use the toilets that are en route to your next class, if you have to trek across the school then back again you will be late for your next lesson and face the consequences. Would any of you stood up in the classroom and said I was late Sir, because I have my period, use a mooncup and needed to use a toilet in another block?

If you read the article one of the parents explains that the girls get teased for being on their period already, without the toilet situation making it worse.

Qwertylass · 23/03/2019 10:05

@Millett

Plenty of time at break and lunch.

LassOfFyvie · 23/03/2019 10:11

No I don't find the Lady Macbeth incarnadined hands anecdotes credible- and I had very heavy periods. Do you leave bloody handprints on the door handles and loo roll dispenser?

LassOfFyvie · 23/03/2019 10:16

Have you tried removing blood with dry tissue? It just smears it around and makes more of a mess

Yes I have and that is just nonsense. Of course you can wipe blood off. Frankly if anyone is having so much difficulty as this perhaps take wet wipes as well as tampons. Regardless of the type of toilet if your hands are so covered in blood other people will notice you will be leaving blood on the door handle when you leave.

Imnobody4 · 23/03/2019 10:17

"It’s mad how they got rid of a separate boy and girl toilet (to make way) for a staff toilet and a unisex toilet, and completely out of order to put a camera in it, disgusting."
Why do you need a staff toilet? Set an inclusive example. Cut down on bad behaviour by supervision like dinner times.

Pieceofpurplesky · 23/03/2019 10:22

Imnobody really? That's ridiculous - imagine the 'teacher perv' accusations.

RedToothBrush · 23/03/2019 10:22

Do you really think that cameras are the solution to social problems?

It's a cop out solution to difficult underlying issues the school can't be arsed to face up to properly.

MilletSentToForceIt · 23/03/2019 10:23

Qwerty, yes of course, we just need to get young women to bleed to order and all will be well.