The decision to lock toilets during lesson times at Swindon schools has sparked outrage.

A complaint about Dorcan Academy's policy led to a wider debate about schools around the town enforcing similar rules.

The complainant, who asked not to be named, said: “It’s disgusting and shocking. It’s a human right to go to the toilet,

“Kids with the white card now have to go to student reception - the reason they have the white card is to go to the toilet as soon as possible.”

Another Adver reader, who gave his name as Tyler, raised the same concern and feared that it would cause embarrassment and health issues for students. 

He said: “The rest of the student body doesn't need to be punished for a few badly behaved students.

“Surely it's harder to install all these locks and measures than it is to just send a second student into the bathrooms to see what's going on if a student has been gone too long.

"I've heard kids complaining about being desperate to go and not being allowed to. It's ridiculous and going to cause some poor kids embarrassing accidents.

“Could you imagine the lawsuits if someone's workplace locked bathrooms and only handed out keys during a short window of time during the workday?

“They're treating our kids like less than people right now by ignoring a basic human right.

"I just don't think a human being should have to be in an 'emergency' to be allowed to use a toilet, given that it's a basic human right. 

"But even if their definition of emergency is quite varied, a student should not have to explain themselves to a teacher in front of the whole class so the teacher can decide if it's a worthy enough reason to go to the toilet. It's ridiculous."

Some Adver readers agreed with the concerns raised and others supported the school.

One concerned commenter said: "One of the first things you learn in trauma-informed practice is to make it as easy as possible for someone to access a toilet without asking permission and without having to ask directions."

Another added: "Absolute abuse of control. Understandable that toilets need to be monitored but not locked away, especially at the ages these kids are, with developing bodies."

On the other hand, one reader wrote: “What’s wrong with going to the toilet before a lesson starts? The teachers do that - they don’t pop out during a lesson to use the loo.

“Let’s stop telling kids they can do whatever they want when they want. That’s why we have kids wandering the streets with knives.”

Another agreed: “Children [aged] 11 to 16 should have complete control of their bowels and be able to regulate their fluid intake so toilet use can be confined to the breaks without dehydration problems.

“Perhaps it’s an attempt to instil discipline in the pupils [or] stop pupils skiving off bits of a lesson they don't like?

“A brave move by the headteacher - she must have known she would get flak over this. Children will adapt to this quickly to the point that the rule becomes the norm.”

When approached by the Adver, Dorcan Academy headteacher Sherryl Bareham said: “Students have always been expected to use the toilet at break and lunchtimes rather than during lessons, unless in an emergency.

“This is to ensure that students’ learning is not disrupted. “Students with medical conditions are issued with a specific card allowing them to use the toilet as and when they need to.

“During lesson times, students who need to use the toilet will be asked to use a specific set of toilets which are supervised by a member of staff.

“This will ensure that the toilets are kept in excellent condition and are safe for everyone to use.

“Other toilets will be locked and only opened at break and lunchtimes. “

If you have any concerns about this happening at your child's school, please email daniel.angelini@newsquest.co.uk or call 07919 057525.