Parents slam school’s decision to ‘barricade’ toilets with ‘metal gates’

Parents and students slammed a school’s decision to barricade toilets during lesson time claiming it’s ‘against human rights’.

Photographs show metal gates were installed across the entrances to Castle View School’s toilets with locks barring students from entering.

One parent has branded the decision taken by school officials at the Essex school to ‘tackle bad behaviour ‘ as ‘disgusting’.

Officials at the comprehensive in Canvey, have defended the move.

The gates pictured above were installed by Castle View School in an attempt to tackle ‘bad behaviour’ and have told pupils they will need a ‘pass’ to go 

They gates are locked during lesson times but this controverisal decision sparked fury among parents and students as one parent said it is ‘against human rights’

One mum whose children go to the school, who asked not to be named, said: ‘It is against human rights and is disgusting.

‘It is like they are in a prison.’

She claims the decision has caused long queues to form during break and lunch times.

The mum continued: ‘It is an absolute nightmare.

‘My child felt sick at lunchtime and was left to just stand and queue.

‘My child nearly had to be sick in the hallway, which is so embarrassing.

‘These gates are on all the toilet blocks.

‘I don’t know any other secondary schools that have put an actual physical gate that can be locked.’

According to one mum the decision to install the gates was not communicated to parents or the students

The mum also said no parents were alerted to the controversial new plans.

She said: ‘We haven’t had any letters or emails about it, it is just so wrong.

‘They don’t always open all of them at lunch or break either because a teacher has to open them.

‘So there are always long queues, and some days my child doesn’t even eat because there isn’t time to queue for food and the toilet.

‘My child has anxiety around going to the toilet now, it is so bad.’

A 14-year-old student, who wished to remain anonymous, said: ‘We are children, we don’t need to be locked up.

‘It shows an extreme lack of trust, which is understandable as we are kids, but the level they are going at is getting out of control.

‘We understand why it was put in place to stop vaping and because of safeguarding issues.

A 14-year-old Caste View student, who wished to remain anonymous, said: ‘We are children, we don’t need to be locked up

‘But if you want to stop that then put smoke detectors closer and use thermal cameras like other schools are.

‘Alongside this, we are now having to ask to drink water and if we don’t we get a detention.

‘My mate got 10 minutes for drinking, it’s a joke.

‘I understand there is a duty of care but what I don’t understand is why they’re going to this level.’

Castle View School headteacher Steve Durkin said: ‘Pupils are able to access all toilets before school, break times, and after school.

‘If a pupil requires access to the toilet during lesson time, they request a pass from their teacher and are allowed access.’

Schools across Essex have been attempting to tackle ‘bad behaviour’ by closing toilets during lesson time.

Shoebury High School in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, has previously used the same method, along with Mayflower High School in Billericay, Essex.

Meanwhile, the Deanes School in Thundersley, Essex, have created toilet pass cards to be used. 

MailOnline has contacted Castle View School for a comment.