Children told they can only use facilities during break or lunchtimes unless in 'extraordinary' circumstances
A policy limiting when students at Ballakermeen High School can use the toilet has been called 'ridiculous' by a parent.
Last week, the headteacher Graeme Corrin said pupils could only go during lessons under 'extraordinary' circumstances.
The move's been met with criticism from parents and students alike.
Marcus Thornton has two girls at the school:
Darcie-Mae O'Sullivan is a current student at Ballakermeen:
Concerns have also been raised about limiting access to toilets to girls on their periods.
It comes a week after research by students at Ballakermeen revealed 1,200 hours of learning are lost by girls each year because of period pains.
Emily Todd is a Menstrual Cycle Coach and Facilitator on the Island:
We have made repeated requests for an interview with the headteacher to respond to some of these claims, but are yet to hear back.
However, in a statement issued last Wednesday, Graeme Corrin said the're embedding a culture at the school where 'every second of learning time counts', and are therefore encouraging students to use the facilities before school, at break or during lunch rather than leaving lessons.
He added that on one day last week, 163 students were permitted to leave lessons for a number of reasons.
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