Ballakermeen students told they can't go to the loo in lesson time

Headteacher asks parents for support in making 'every second count'

Students at Ballakermeen High School have been told they are not allowed to leave lessons to go to the toilet unless they have a medical issue or it’s an ‘extraordinary situation’.

The headteacher has written to parents and carers to inform them that increased supervision around toilets is being put into place.

Graeme Corrin says it’s part of efforts to ensure the school is creating a classroom environment that is conducive to effective learning and will help make ‘every second count’.

He says too many students are requesting to leave lessons to go to the toilet and, as a result, they are missing ‘large chunks’ of lesson time and learning.

Parents and carers are being asked to encourage their children to use the toilet before school or at break times or lunchtime instead.

“Teachers have been asked not to allow students to leave lessons to go to the toilet unless they have a medical pass or it is judged an ‘extraordinary situation’.” – Graeme Corrin (Headteacher)

Pupils are being reminded that multiple occupancy of toilet cubicles is not permitted; anyone caught breaking this rule has been warned they could be suspended.

Several toilet cubicles at the Douglas secondary school are out of action due to vandalism.

There is CCTV in the toilet areas but this does not cover the cubicles themselves.

The letter also highlights that school attendance is ‘significantly below’ the target of 95 percent.

Manx Radio has invited the Department of Education, Sport and Culture to comment.