07 March 2023 , 22:54
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Dozens of school pupils have been suspended after protesting against rules banning them from going to the toilet during lessons.
Nearly 50 youngsters from Parkside Community School in Chesterfield took part in the mass event, in which several entrances were locked to prevent them from entering the building.
The unhappy schoolchildren waved placards and chanted as they took part in the 90 minute protest.
Afterwards, parents were told they were suspended for five days, DerbyshireLive reported.
One student said: “In the workplace you can go to the toilet whenever, even prisoners can go to the toilet when they want to.
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“It's messed up for girls on their menstrual cycle, and for people with bladder problems and who can't hold it for that long."
(Google)Plans for the protest had been stirring among students for a while but a date had only been agreed upon recently.
In the meantime, news of the plans had found its way to staff, and teachers attempted to soften the impact by hosting assemblies and speaking to students.
Dozens of students chose not to attend lessons and staged the demonstration last Friday. One student had attended registration before the protest but decided to join in when they were denied access to the toilet.
They said: "We've wanted to do it for quite a while.
“I don't think it's right whatsoever for girls to be isolated in the classroom when they're on their period.
“We want to protect future generations because these rules make kids feel uncomfortable and might mean that some people don't want to attend school.
"They weren't listening to us. We don't think we got enough recognition. It's really annoyed me and wound me up.
“Suspending us is pointless. We should be heard."
Ben Riggott, headteacher at Parkside Community School, said: “Last Friday a group of around 40 pupils decided not to attend lessons.
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“They moved around the school site in a way that disrupted learning for the rest of the school. After around an hour and a half some pupils decided to end their protest and others left the school site. Those involved throughout the protest were suspended.
“We understand the students were protesting about arrangements for access to toilets while in lessons.
“Our policy for some time has been that during lesson times students should not leave to use the toilet, unless they have a medical need to use the toilet more often or in an emergency situation.
“We have had issues over recent years with a small number of pupils constantly wanting to go to the toilet during lessons, which is disruptive for the rest of the class.
“We have also experienced students ‘hiding’ in toilets and not attending lessons.
“Like all schools we have regular breaks so there are plenty of opportunities for students to use the toilet out of lesson times.”