How to get a national law requiring a toilet break after every lesson?

[Retiredyear7teacher]

My question is how can ERIC and parents work together to make it a requirement that students have at least a five minute interval between lessons in secondary school? Most secondary schools have lesson one and two, then a morning break of 20 or so minutes. Then students go to lesson three and four and then have a lunch break. Some secondary schools have a five minute interval between lesson one and two. And another five minute interval between lesson three and four. That would only add ten minutes to the school day.

Suppose a student needed the toilet 30 minutes into lesson one, this could be critical. If there is not that five minute interval between lesson one and two, this means a 90 minute wait until next time students can go to the toilet. If there is that 5 minute interval, there is only a 30 minute wait until students can use the toilet. This would help all students, but particularly those with bladder issues. With the five minute intervals added, all students could go every hour if needed. As it is with reception added the time between reception and morning break is two hours and 20 minutes.. That is almost 2.5 hours without a toilet break!

My question is how can ERIC get this toilet break after every lesson become national law?

This would help all students, but really help those students with bladder issues.

[Jackk123]

It's a good idea. Not just for allowing kids to go to the toilet between lessons but the reality is it takes time to get between classes anyway meaning a lesson wouldn't be able start as soon as the previous one had finished anyway.

We didn't have a '5 minute interval' when I was at school but if I ever did need the toilet I would go in this time on the way to my next class.

[Goldenretriv in reply to Jackk123]

I used to have first lesson, then morning break. After that there was two lessons without any break in between then lunch then last lesson. If you needed the toilet after lunch, and this is where many people needed the toilet and were refused. I recon that this is where accidents are most likely to happen

[ERIC-Charity Partner]

Hi, thanks so much for the important points you raise in this post. We're all for children having better access to the toilets at school. We're aware of some schools here in the UK even locking the washroom facilities until lunchtime to prevent vandalism. It's so sad as it's children who will suffer if they can't go when they need to.

We don't have the resources to actively campaign or lobby government on this issue, but what we try to do is to spread awareness of how important free access to good quality toilets is for all school aged children. One of the best ways for young people to do this is to ask their school to adopt our School Toilet Charter which can be found here: eric.org.uk/school-toilet-c... Hopefully by sharing this document, more schools will take on board how they can uphold the rights of the children in their care. Thanks again, Alina @ERIC

[Goldenretriv]

Problem is in the UK, many teachers are strict about toilet breaks. All you get is break time and lunchtime, and that’s it. In between next lessons, I used to go to the toilet but often was told off for being late. I dread to think how many pupils up and down the country, end up wetting or soiling themselves due to these strict rules. The ironic thing is, if somebody has an accident, that would cause more disruption and bullying.

[laurendyer90]

make diapers or nappies , or incontinence slip compulsory then at least it is contained!

So Pampers 6+ to 8 baby dry up until they no longer fit then molicare slip maxi PE backed!

[laurendyer90 in reply to laurendyer90]

Get staff to do the personal care regarding changes female for girls and male for boys!

The female could put in Tampons too if they are not able to with the girl’s permission.

[Yaleamanda in reply to laurendyer90]

Absolutely not!