Norwich dad's anger with Hellesdon High School toilet rules

Hellesdon High's strict policy requires pupils to be accompanied by a member of staff to the toilets due to bad behaviour and vandalism.

Richard Harvey lives in Hellesdon and has a 12-year-old daughter, Ruby, who attends the school.

As reported, the measures have angered some parents, and Mr Harvey kept his daughter out of school most of last week.

Mike Earl, principal of Hellesdon High School, said following ongoing concerns from staff, students and parents about vandalism in our toilets, we've made a decision to restrict access to them during lesson times (Image: The Wensum Trust)

He said: "My daughter recently was denied use of the toilets. I'm not going to force her to go in if she doesn't feel comfortable.

"It's cheesed me off - the school has taken the cheap and easy way out of trying to fix its vandalism issue but it promotes bad hygiene and self-care."

The 36-year-old also said his daughter is of the age where she has started having her period.

Ruby took to social media to slam the school's policy after her dad sent her the original Evening News article.

Ruby Harvey, 12, said Being able to use the toilet when needed is a basic human right if you ask me (Image: Richard Harvey)

Ruby said: "It's pretty amusing that I can't go to the toilet during school when I believe it's a basic human right.

"I'm not getting the blame for other students' vandalism – which the school should keep track of.

"I've asked to use the toilet and been denied. It meant I had to sit there feeling uncomfortable and not being able to focus on the lesson.

Hellesdon High School, located in Middletons Lane (Image: Newsquest)

"I also experience periods and I've sat there feeling very awkward because the school denied me from being able to use the bathroom."

Mr Harvey added: "Ruby has been through body-shaming issues before, so when she does build up the courage in class to be excused and is told no - it's ridiculous.

"Everyone should have access to the toilet when needed."

Richard Harvey said I'm not going to force my daughter going to school if she feels uncomfortable (Image: Richard Harvey)

Helleson High School's response

A spokeswoman for the Wensum Trust, which runs the school, said it would be "inappropriate" to comment on individual absences. 

But she said: "The school has written to all parents and carers to explain that following ongoing concerns from staff, students and parents about behaviour and vandalism within our school toilets, we have made a decision to restrict access to toilets during lesson times. 

"Toilets are still accessible to all students before and after school, and during both break and lunch time. 

"Toilets also remain accessible at all times to students who have specific health or sanitary needs. 

"We also ensure a member of staff is available at all times to grant access to the toilet should a student require it.

"It's important that all the children within our school feel safe when using the toilet and we are currently working with students to prevent large groups congregating in toilets, and prevent any behaviour which falls below the standards we expect of our students.

"We have advised any parents and carers with specific concerns to contact us directly."