Row erupts over unisex toilets at east London primary school

School row: Outraged parents have petitioned against the unisex toilets
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Fiona Simpson26 November 2016

A row has erupted over the introduction of unisex toilets for pupils at an east London primary school.

Some 625 outraged parents have signed a petition after the same-sex loos were created at Buxton School in Leytonstone.

The new facilities have been built as part £12million redevelopment of the school in Terling Close and will be used by children aged eight and above, the East London and West Essex Guardian reported.

Younger children will use toilets attached to their classrooms, according to the newspaper.

The change.org petition, set up by Ehasan Karim, reads: “We do not wish for our children to be part of this social experiment and therefore request the head teacher to take the appropriate action to restore traditionally segregated facilities without undue delay.”

It goes on to claim that the introduction of unisex toilets will “disrupt hygiene, privacy, safety and wellbeing of pupils” and expresses concerns over “sexually related incidents”.

Hannah Cuthbertson, who signed the petition, wrote: “Unisex toilets will just lead to children becoming sexually active even earlier.”

Mahnaz Akhtar-Junjua added: “It's difficult to deal with the opposite sexes in normal circumstances, but now you think the children have to deal with awkwardness in the bathroom.”

Rahana Khalid said: “Gender segregation is vital to ensure safety and protect gender dignity. The proposal is simply innovation gone bonkers.”

Executive headteacher Kath Wheeler told the East London and West Essex Guardian that parents had been invited to take tours of the new facility and reminded those concerned that there are single sex toilets still available.

She added: “No pupil has to use a unisex toilet if they do not want to.”

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