Make it illegal for schools to lock student toilets during lesson times

Rejected 12 signatures

What the petition asks

The United Nations Convention of Child Rights states that “Every child has the right to the best possible health” - this right is being breached by schools restricting access to toileting as it can cause urinary tract and kidney infections, as well as psychological damage due to accidents in class.

Locking toilets during lesson time restricts the child’s bodily autonomy, taking the decision of when to go to the toilet out of their hands. It encourages “just in case” toileting, stopping the bladder learning to hold urine at its maximum capacity and reducing the amount it holds, resulting in increased toileting. It also results in dehydration as the child drinks less to avoid using the toilet, causing other health issues like headaches which reduce concentration in class and effect learning.

Why it was rejected

It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.

We can only accept petitions about things the Government or Parliament are directly responsible for.

Decisions on policies regarding when students can leave the classroom are a matter for individual schools and teachers, not the UK Government or House of Commons.

If you are unhappy with how a school or teacher deals with requests to use the toilet, you should raise this with the school or relevant local authority.

Timeline

13 Oct 2022	Petition opened for signatures
17 Oct 2022	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 12

Status Rejected

Rejected 17 Oct 2022

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