- Around 300 pupils protested against 'unfair' rules at a school on Monday
- It comes amid numerous 'TikTok riots' across several schools across the UK
Oasis Academy Mayfield school in Southampton was at the centre of protests this week as around 300 students chanted 'toilet rights' amidst anger against 'unfair' new toilet rules.
Similar protests occurred at nearby Weston Secondary School, Hampshire, as pupils took to the playground to vocalise how 'uncomfortable' they feel having to use unisex loos and rules dictating when they are allowed to go.
Once Monday's protests had dispersed, senior leadership team then came down hard on rebellious Year 11s, threatening that if they are to take part in protests, they would not be allowed to attend their prom.
The protests come amid a nationwide movement organised on TikTok, reportedly organised among school pupils, with demonstrations having taken place in schools across the country - from Cornwall, Leeds and North Yorkshire to South Essex and Lincolnshire.
A Year 11 student from Oasis Academy Mayfield said: 'Unisex toilets make me feel extremely vulnerable and uncomfortable. It feels sometimes as if I don't have as much privacy as I would like due to these toilets. Also, it is really damaging when I am not allowed to go to the toilet while I am on my period. It feels as if I have to fight against the teachers for a basic human right and it makes me wonder if our school is truly as progressive as they say they are.'
Another added: 'People chanted both 'toilet rights' and 'equal rights' voicing the fact they generally feel uncomfortable by use of the gender-neutral toilets.
'This was ultimately shut down by the senior leadership team who pulled the fire alarm to remove the students from the building.
'Another protest was planned by students for the next day in the multi-use games area, so there is more space and would be much more carefully arranged in terms of safeguarding.'
Another 'TikTok riot' last Friday even forced Warriner School to scrap new rules on a 'gender neutral' PE kit and a ban on girls wearing skirts.
The school in Banbury Oxfordshire has since backed down, saying it had reversed its decision to enforce a gender-neutral uniform policy.
On the school's website, Dr Annabel Kay, the executive headteacher, apologised for 'under-estimating the strength of feeling on this issue' and 'not properly engaging or consulting with all parents and students'.
She said: 'We have listened to our students and we are committed to engaging further on our uniform policy, and on other future policy changes, with both parents and students in a constructive and positive manner.'
At another school in Greater Manchester, students are being forced to queue outside before being 'searched' to check they have their 'learning resources ready'.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...-bid-quell-TikTok-riots-organised-pupils.html (Archive)
