School's plan to use toilet chaperones puts pupils at risk, says campaigner
Some pupils will have to be escorted to the toilet over vandalism and attendance problems.
A school in Blaenau Gwent is facing criticism for a policy that requires some secondary-age pupils to be escorted to the toilet, according to Molly Fenton, founder of the Love Your Period campaign. Fenton warned that the policy could discourage pupils from seeking help for periods and other health issues, putting them at risk. The Ebbw Fawr Learning Community introduced the chaperones to combat vandalism and absenteeism, but after consulting with 50 pupil representatives, the school revised the policy to apply only to certain pupils.
Fenton expressed shock at the proposal, stating that she would not have used school toilets if she had to be accompanied. She highlighted the stigma surrounding toilet use in schools and the potential for the policy to exacerbate existing issues with young people holding in their waste. The school defended the policy, citing the need to address vandalism and absenteeism.
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