Saddleworth School 'sorry' over toilet rule change fears

In a letter to parents, Saddleworth School's interim headteacher, Jimmy Christian, withdrew a previous letter saying it had been 'sent in error'.

A social media post by a parent with a child at the school explained that parents had been told of a policy where toilets would be locked during lessons and during the short transfer time between lessons.

It said this would leave pupils with access only at break and lunch, and received more than 65 comments and 100 shares.

Dozens of people expressed concern over the policy, including fears of possible health issues that could arise as a result, and said it was 'completely unacceptable'.

The new letter to parents, signed by Mr Christian, said: "I am writing to apologise for and withdraw a letter about Toilets in School which was sent on March 31.

"This was sent in error - it was not a statement of policy but the start of an internal school process of reviewing how we can address a problem which has been growing in school and which disrupts good order and learning.

"Can I be clear that under my leadership, and that of The Cranmer Education Trust, and that of Mr Logue, who will become headteacher in September, how the school manages pupil behaviour will always be discussed with pupils, and communicated in advance with parents before any significant changes are made."

The school's previous headteacher left in February.

The letter explained that the school is 'facing a problem' of students congregating in toilets and subsequently arriving late to lessons, and sometimes not at all.

The letter further said that this makes it 'unpleasant' for pupils with a genuine need to use the toilet.

While it detailed that the school was 'by no means' the only one facing the issue, it said it was 'unacceptable', and that the need to 'sort it out' was part of a wider review of behaviour policies at the trust.

The letter told parents there would be more to share on the behaviour policy changes at the start of the new academic year in September.

The school also said: "It appears that a very high number of pupils have toilet passes which allow them to exit lessons at will.

"Whilst some pupils have medical needs which make this essential, it is likely that over time the need for some of these passes may have expired, or, as we have discovered in a small number of cases, that the need for the pass itself has been fabricated by some pupils."

The letter finished with Mr Christian stating: "Please accept my apologies for a letter that should not have been sent.

"We are looking forward to welcoming the pupils back to school on Monday, and to be clear, there will be no new changes to the times toilets are open and how pupils go about accessing them during lesson changeover or whilst in lessons if needed."