A petition to change Llanfyllin High School toilets back to ' male ' and ' female' NOT unisex !!!!!! As of Tuesday 3rd September 2024 (first day of autumn term) Llanfyllin High School, with approx 850 pupils, (Powys Mid Wales) have changed the toilets to 'unisex'. This does not sit well with many parents and young people alike. 

Pupils returned to school to find themselves having to use the unisex facilities and many of them had not been consulted about the changes. Parents were also not aware that the school was planning to do this over the holidays. Pupils reported back to their parents that the toilet block on the upper floor was closed for refurbishment (children believed this is to be unisex on completion).

 Many children do not feel comfortable using these facilities. Young Girls are embarrassed,  vulnerable and uncomfortable with many starting puberty, having to deal with their ' time of the month' whilst in a cubicle next to a boy. Then having to exit cubicles to wash their hands in the unisex basins - next to a boy.

Hygiene is an issue with many females reporting boys are urinating on seats. 

Safety is an issue. The cubicles have floor to ceiling walls and doors. Meaning increased risks of sexual encounters, vaping smoking drugs use. Let alone health emergencies, if a pupil passed out slumped against the door, how will teachers gain entry with their 'special keys'? 

Although the School say the toilets are now 'open plan' parents do not feel that staff can monitor this area continuously.  

Many pupils are now refusing to use these facilities,  some children being told to go home to use their private facilities.  Some girls refusing to go to school if there on their period. If children do not feel safe using this unisex block they run the risk of urinary tract infections,  kidney infections and toxic shock syndrome if the girls cannot change there sanitary goods in a timely manner.

School comment made on Wednesday were ' this is the modern way' yet they fail to see the safeguarding issues.

School have now produced this statement :

"Staff and students at Ysgol Llanfyllin have worked with Powys County Council on the design and full refurbishment of one of its old toilet blocks. These original washrooms were in a very poor, tired condition with damaged tiling, flooring & cubicles. The toilets were also a very poor design and the layout meant that there was no clear line of vision for school staff to monitor the room effectively.

Many options were examined but it became clear that a total transformation of this area of the school was needed. The internal layout of the washroom needed to be changed to create a modern, open-plan, unisex washroom. Now the work has been completed, students can choose to use either these new facilities or the existing, single-sex toilets which have not been changed. Disabled toilets are also available throughout school.

Headteacher Dewi Owen said: “We wanted to create a modern, clean and safe space for all our students. We worked with Powys County Council to make the new washroom facility a more open and less intimidating space for all students.

“Our student council worked with the school and local authority on the design of the facilities. The students regularly brought complaints to council meetings about the poor state and of the toilets. Many pupils complained that old toilets were outdated, unhygienic and a hub for anti-social behaviour. Some students elected not to use those toilets at all during the school day, a situation which was totally unacceptable.”

Working over the summer holidays, internal walls were removed and a large opening was created to provide a clear line of vision onto the corridor. Two distinct areas were created from the original single sex toilets. All old fittings, such as urinals, heating units, sinks and cubicles were removed.

Due to the open plan toilet design full height cubicles were chosen to maximise privacy for pupils in both areas of the room. Two communal wash areas were created and fitted with brand new soap dispensers, mirrors & ‘Dyson Air Blade’ hand dryers.

Overall, the project was delivered successfully on time and on budget. Needless to say, the school are very happy with their new open plan, modern washroom space which will take its place alongside the other single sex and disabled toilet facilities contained within the school building.

If any parents or carers would like to visit the school to view any of our facilities, please contact the school to make an appointment." 

whilst Powys Council  comments on this serious matter are :

 “The council provides full privacy to children using school toilets. Toilets are identified as gender specific, with most handwashing outside of WC cubicles. 

“Recently designed schools have sought to reduce opportunities for bullying associated with traditional arrangements and have adopted the principles detailed within Standard Specifications, Layouts and Dimensions 3: Toilets in Schools.

“All new school designs are carefully developed in consultation with the individual school bodies, including pupils, and lessons learnt from earlier projects influence later designs.”

Many adults prioritise the safeguarding of children AND want to protect their innocence. We as a community must come together to make a stand and get these toilets changed back to " male" and "female " for the wellbeing of the children. 

Please help by signing this petition.