Toilets blocked off with shutters at Chantry Academy

Chantry Academy, in Mallard Way, was slammed following a 'strict regime' being implemented with images of closed toilet blocks being sent to this paper.

Parents and pupils have raised serious concerns including claims that one female student with a urinary tract infection (UTI) was forced out of a toilet and staff allegedly threatened to take the door off its hinges.

Images sent to this paper show the toilets - opposite the wood technology classrooms - blocked off by shutters (Image: Contributed)

The school has said the toilets are open throughout the day and the barriers are set to be removed.

An anonymous source has shared images of shutters blocking toilets with what appears to be a motorcycle lock securing them in place.

They claimed toilets on all three floors of the main building have the same shutters in place which they said were only removed at break and lunch times.

This follows allegations that a female student was forced out of a toilet cubicle at the school despite suffering from a UTI.

Staff reportedly told the student that the door would be removed from its hinges if she did not leave the cubicle.

A spokeswoman for Chantry Academy, where new headteacher Dean Rosembert started work in April, said that toilets were open to students throughout the school day, not just at break and lunch times.

Headteacher Dean Rosembert started at the school in April (Image: Contributed)

The spokeswoman said the old barriers in the images were no longer in use and the toilets were not locked during the school day, adding that the school was in the process of removing the barriers altogether.

The school stated it was aware of the report of the incident involving the female student and confirmed it was investigated at the time, but could not comment any further on individual cases.

It is understood that schools across the country decide when pupils take toilets breaks.